Her Royal Highness Grand-Duchess of Luxembourg Joins the Asian University for Women Council of Patrons

LUXEMBOURG, October 18, 2016 - Asian University for Women, Chittagong, Bangladesh, announced today the commitment of Her Royal Highness The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg to serve as a Patron of the University. The University serves extraordinarily talented women from 15 countries across Asia and the Middle East, most of whom are first in their family to enter university. The University's Council of Patrons is chaired by Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and includes former Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino, former Danish Environment Minister Lone Dybkjaer, former Chief Secretary of Hong Kong Anson Chan, and the UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova. The Patrons advocate for women's education and empowerment in general, and the Asian University for Women in particular.

The Havana-born, U.S. - and Swiss-educated Grand Duchess is renowned for her unwavering commitment to issues of human concern around the world. She serves as the President of Luxembourg Red Cross, and has been a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and UNICEF Eminent Advocate for Children. A champion of microfinance, the Grand Duchess has collaborated with Bangladesh's Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus in advancing microfinance throughout the world. She has advocated for issues affecting the disadvantaged in many countries including Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Mali and Burundi. Her Royal Highness was awarded a Path to Peace Award by the Holy See Foundation for her "relentless contribution to humanitarian causes."