Standing in Central Hall Westminster on January 17, 2026, I felt the weight of history in that space. Eighty years ago, almost to the day – January 10, 1946 – this same room held 51 nations gathering for the first UN General Assembly meeting. I was there with fellow Women Beyond Borders members for the UNA-UK conference marking the United Nations’ 80th anniversary, and the significance of that moment wasn’t lost on any of us.
Amid the day’s speeches and panels, two women’s voices cut through with such clarity and power that they crystallized exactly why Women Beyond Borders exists. First, Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, founder of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN), spoke during a panel discussion. Then Maya Ghazal took the stage – UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador who became the world’s first female Syrian commercial pilot from a refugee background after fleeing Damascus.
Their stories demonstrated something fundamental: storytelling inspires, moves, and sparks creation. That’s what we’re building.
Key Takeaways
The UN General Assembly first convened at Central Hall on January 10, 1946 – 80 years later, we returned. Sanam Naraghi Anderlini drafted Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Maya Ghazal fled Damascus in 2015, becoming the first female Syrian refugee pilot. Their stories prove storytelling inspires women’s leadership.
The Historic Setting: Where It All Began
Central Hall Westminster wasn’t chosen randomly for that first UN General Assembly on January 10, 1946. Just months after World War II ended, 51 nations gathered in a space that had sheltered up to 2,000 terrified civilians in its basement during the Blitz – one of London’s largest air-raid shelters during the darkest nights of bombing.
A week later, on January 17, 1946, the first UN Security Council meeting convened at nearby Church House. The symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone: a place where people sought protection during war became the birthplace of an organization dedicated to preventing future conflicts.
Fast forward 80 years. On January 17, 2026, over 1,000 delegates from across the world filled that same hall. The atmosphere blended celebration with something heavier – a sobering recognition that the UN faces its biggest confidence crisis in its history. We celebrated the milestone while acknowledging the fragility of what was built here.
But the panels and speeches that followed made this more than ceremonial. Two voices in particular reminded me why stories matter and why we’re building Women Beyond Borders.
Sanam Naraghi Anderlini: A Voice for Women in Peacebuilding
Among the day’s speakers, Sanam Naraghi Anderlini’s presence on the panel discussion stood out with quiet, undeniable authority. Here was someone who hadn’t just talked about women’s roles in peace processes – she’d spent nearly three decades shaping them.
Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, MBE, is the founder and CEO of ICAN, bringing close to 30 years of experience as a peace strategist working globally on conflicts, crises, violent extremism, and peacebuilding. Her groundbreaking work includes being a civil society leader and drafter of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in 2000 – a landmark achievement that formally recognized women’s essential role in peace processes.
Through ICAN, she spearheads the Women’s Alliance for Security Leadership (WASL) operating in 40 countries and created the Innovative Peace Fund, the first and only independent multi-donor fund dedicated to women-led peacebuilding organizations.
Her panel contribution centered on three key themes: the importance of including women’s perspectives in conflict resolution, the evidence that women-led peacebuilding creates more sustainable outcomes, and the urgent need to resource women’s organizations on the frontlines.
Listening to someone who’s spent 30 years proving that women’s voices aren’t optional in peace processes but essential felt profound. Her work demonstrates exactly what we’re building with Women Beyond Borders: when women’s stories and leadership are centered, systems change. That’s not aspiration – that’s evidence.
Maya Ghazal: A Journey from Damascus to Aviation
When Maya Ghazal took the stage as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, her presence silenced the room. Here was someone who embodied everything the UN was created to protect – a refugee who transformed displacement into something extraordinary.
Maya fled Damascus in 2015 at just 16, arriving in the UK under a family reunification scheme after her father was granted refugee status. “In Syria, I had a normal childhood with a large family and a lot of friends. Then war came. I had to change schools three times because each one was bombed.”
The UK offered safety but not a smooth path. Unable to speak English, Maya taught herself the language from scratch. “When I arrived in the UK, I was rejected from so many schools. The boredom and loneliness were terrifying, and I felt like my future had evaporated. But finally, after months, I got a place.”
She didn’t just get a place – she earned one at university, graduating in 2022 with a degree in Aviation Engineering and Pilot Studies. At 21, Maya became the first female Syrian refugee pilot with her private license. In 2025, she received her commercial wings to fly Boeing 737s.
Her motivation cuts straight to the heart: “I’m doing this for women who are a minority in aviation. For people who think they don’t belong. For people who think [they are] not good enough. For young people who want to dream, but then they’re told that dreaming is too big.”
Hearing her speak in that historic venue reminded me exactly why storytelling matters for Women Beyond Borders.
Why These Stories Matter: The Power of Storytelling for Women Beyond Borders
Listening to Sanam and Maya speak reminded me viscerally why Women Beyond Borders exists. In those moments, their voices cutting through that historic hall, the full weight of our mission crystallized.
Their stories embody our organization’s core belief: when we amplify women’s voices and experiences, we don’t just share information – we inspire action, shift perspectives, and create pathways for others to follow.
What makes their storytelling so powerful? Four elements. Authenticity – they lived these experiences, every rejection and breakthrough. Specificity – concrete details like Maya’s first solo flight or Sanam drafting Resolution 1325 make abstract concepts real. Vulnerability – both shared rejection and struggle alongside triumph, making success feel achievable rather than mythical. Action orientation – they explicitly connected personal journeys to broader systemic change.
The parallels between their paths are striking. Both faced systems designed to exclude them – Sanam in male-dominated peace negotiations, Maya in aviation and refugee bureaucracy. Both refused to accept imposed limitations. Both now use their platforms to lift other women.
These are exactly the stories Women Beyond Borders exists to tell. Women who cross borders, literal and metaphorical. Women who refuse to be defined by others’ limitations. Women who build new possibilities where none existed.
The multiplier effect in action: Sanam’s story inspired me, which led to this article, which will inspire readers. This is how storytelling sparks creation – one voice igniting countless others.
Sitting in that historic hall surrounded by Women Beyond Borders members, hearing these women speak felt like a full-circle moment of purpose and mission alignment.
The Stories That Move Us Forward
Standing in that hall 80 years after the UN’s founding, watching Sanam Naraghi Anderlini and Maya Ghazal command the room with their lived experiences, the mission of Women Beyond Borders crystalized. Sanam proved that women’s voices in peacebuilding aren’t symbolic – they’re transformative. Maya showed that displacement doesn’t define destiny. Their stories didn’t just inspire – they ignited something.
This is why storytelling matters. Not as decoration, but as the engine of change. When we hear how a refugee became a pilot or how a peace strategist rewrote UN policy, we see what’s possible. We’re moved to create, to act, to believe differently.
Your story matters too. Share it with Women Beyond Borders and join our community amplifying women’s voices globally. Follow us on social media to stay connected with the changemakers reshaping our world – one story at a time.
FAQ
What was the UN 80th anniversary conference in London?
On January 17, 2026, over 1,000 delegates gathered at Methodist Central Hall Westminster – the same venue where 51 nations held the first UN General Assembly meeting on January 10, 1946. UNA-UK organized this conference to mark the UN’s 80th anniversary, featuring speeches and panel discussions celebrating international cooperation while acknowledging the organization’s current confidence crisis.
Who is Sanam Naraghi Anderlini and why is she significant?
Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, MBE, is the founder and CEO of ICAN with nearly 30 years of experience as a peace strategist. She was a civil society leader and drafter of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in 2000 – a landmark resolution that formally recognized women’s essential role in peace processes and conflict resolution.
What is Maya Ghazal’s story?
Maya fled Damascus at 16 in 2015, arriving in the UK under family reunification. After teaching herself English and overcoming multiple school rejections, she graduated with a degree in Aviation Engineering and Pilot Studies. At 21, she earned her private pilot license, and in 2025, received her commercial wings to fly Boeing 737s – becoming the first female Syrian refugee pilot.
Why does Women Beyond Borders focus on storytelling?
Storytelling inspires action and creates pathways for others to follow. Sanam and Maya’s stories demonstrate how authentic voices shift perspectives and challenge systems. Their experiences show what happens when women’s leadership is centered – systems change. Women Beyond Borders amplifies these stories to prove that women’s voices aren’t optional but essential for creating lasting change.
How can I get involved with Women Beyond Borders?
Connect with Women Beyond Borders on social media to discover inspiring stories of women leaders and changemakers. Share your own story or nominate a woman whose journey deserves amplification. Join the community of globally minded individuals committed to women’s empowerment through authentic storytelling and lived experiences.
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