SOS Afghan Women: A Call to Action from the Eiffel Tower
On Saturday, March 8, the Eiffel Tower illuminated the Parisian night with a powerful message: "SOS Afghan Women." This display was more than just a visual statement—it was a call to businesses and universities worldwide to take concrete steps in recruiting and supporting Afghan women, whose freedoms have been increasingly restricted by the Taliban regime.
At the heart of this initiative was a working evening organized at the top of the Eiffel Tower by Ayyam Sureau, philosopher, writer, and founder of the Pierre Claver School. Among the attendees was Najwa Alam, a student at HEC Paris and a beneficiary of the HEC Imagine program:
“In the heart of Paris, I was truly honored to be invited as a guest speaker at the incredible SOS Femmes Afghanes event—an inspiring initiative dedicated to empowering Afghan women. It was a privilege to share my academic journey at HEC Paris and contribute to this meaningful conversation.
Women in Afghanistan are facing immense challenges, but this initiative, led by Ayyam Sureau, has shone a global spotlight on their struggles. It was a powerful call to action, urging international universities and businesses to prioritize Afghan women’s education and employment—because real change happens when opportunities are given.
Afghan women are facing adversity, but they are not weak! They are resilient, talented, and capable. With the right support, they can shape the future and make a difference in the world. Let’s continue to stand in solidarity and be the agents of change they need.”
HEC Paris on the Frontlines of Inclusion and Opportunity
Earlier that day, HEC Paris Dean Eloïc Peyrache spoke on France Inter alongside Ayyam Sureau and Margaret Johnston Clarke, Global Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at L’Oréal, to discuss the role of education in supporting students from conflict zones. He highlighted the proactive role of the HEC Imagine program in welcoming students from war-torn countries:
“With the HEC Imagine initiative, led by Adrien Nussenbaum, we wanted to go even further by actively seeking out students from conflict-affected regions. This program began just after the Taliban seized Kabul in 2021. For us, this represents a fundamental shift—normally, we receive thousands of applications at HEC; here, we are the ones seeking out students, bringing women out of Kabul to offer them a new future.”
Ayyam Sureau echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the exceptional quality of the students selected for the Imagine program:
“The students chosen are extraordinary. I have had the privilege of meeting some of them, and I can say without hesitation that these students are remarkable. What HEC has accomplished is truly groundbreaking—they have identified and supported students of immense potential.”
HEC Imagine: Education as a Path to Peace
Since 2022, HEC Paris has welcomed its first Afghan female students, alongside other young people from conflict-affected regions. The philosophy behind this initiative is clear: education is freedom. By offering access to education and employment, institutions like HEC Paris can contribute to the long-term reconstruction of devastated nations.
The HEC Imagine program, launched through an exceptional donation from Adrien Nussenbaum, co-founder and joint-CEO of Mirakl, provides scholarships for students from war-torn countries. This initiative reflects HEC Paris’s broader mission to foster peace through education, cultural exchange, and professional integration.
The Imagine Fellows—students benefiting from this program—are not only academically exceptional but also deeply committed to inter-cultural understanding and peacebuilding. They play an active role on campus, organizing conferences, engaging in community initiatives, and acting as ambassadors of business and peace.
HEC Paris is determined to continue expanding this program, with the goal of funding the tuition of around ten deserving students annually. As the world faces ongoing conflicts, the importance of such initiatives cannot be overstated. The hope is that by providing access to education, these students will become future leaders in rebuilding their nations and fostering peace.
A Call for Collective Action
The message displayed on the Eiffel Tower was more than a symbolic gesture; it was a call to action. Universities, businesses, and organizations around the world have a role to play in supporting Afghan women and other students from conflict zones. HEC Paris is leading by example, demonstrating that when opportunities are given, lives can be changed—and with them, the world.