Request for Program Submissions
Submission of abstracts due Thursday November 15, 2007 Theories of leadership tell us that those who are leaders were born to lead - rising to the occasion when needed. For centuries it was believed that some people naturally possessed innate leadership qualities and thus were ready to lead in ways and in positions outside the reach of the common person. In nearly every society, examples of ascribed and elite forms of leadership can be found from divine kings to chiefs. Still today, the idea of the "born leader" remains popular especially as leaders often stand out as unique and exceptional individuals. Yet this approach to leadership is increasingly falling out of favor in both academic and industry circles. Rather, attention is focused on "how leaders are made" with emphasis on the ways one learns leadership and the importance of followership in that process. Despite the general acceptance that leadership behaviors and qualities can be learned, theories abound about the best way to teach leadership - or whether leadership can be taught - in formal and informal contexts.

The 2008 Women as Global Leaders conference theme focuses on the multitude of ways people learn leadership. As calls for leadership echo across the globe and as people call into question whether there is a leadership crisis, there is concentrated interest about the best ways to develop leadership skills and knowledge in individuals. Popular theories emphasize that leadership goes beyond positions and rather is, a dynamic, reciprocal process that involves both leaders and followers. Still, despite intense attention on the need for accomplished leadership especially in an increasingly complex world, little consensus exists about how best to learn leadership and the role higher education, nongovernmental, and industry players serve in this learning process.

Thus, the 2008 Women as Global Leaders conference invites papers, sessions, roundtables, and workshop that explore how leadership is learned as well as taught in a variety of settings. We are particularly interested in women's leadership development and the ways in which gender unfolds within the practice and learning of leadership. We especially encourage students and educators to participate in the conference, which emphasizes women's roles as global leaders and the importance of student leadership education and opportunities.

Conference Registration
Candidates must also register separately to attend the conference. This can be done on the conference Web site at http://www.zuglobaleaders.org. The conference registration and proposal submission processes are completely separate. The price for all delegates will be US$ 300. This includes:
• three days of conference activities
• lunch on each day of the conference
• Desert Barbeque with cultural activities
• conference pack with program and other materials
• transportation between conference hotels and the Madinat Jumeirah

Zayed University will cover the cost of hotel accommodation for student attendees coming from outside of U.A.E. This will be based on 4 nights (March 9, 10, 11, 12) and on a double occupancy. Non-students will pay a reduced hotel charge at selected hotels.