Welcome! In just a few hours, Newsweek & The Daily Beast's third Women in the World Summit will blast off at Lincoln Center, as inspiring leaders and activists from around the globe gather to address the most urgent challenges facing women and girls. Over the next three days we'll hear stories of bravery and brainstorm solutions for change. Check back often for live updates.

After an opening performance by Suma Tharu, a 16-year-old singer from Nepal, Newsweek & The Daily Beast editor-in-chief Tina Brown will be joined on stage by co-hosts Leyhmah Gbowee, Sheryl Sandberg, Meryl Streep, Diane von Furstenberg, Jane Harman, Lauren Bush Lauren, Nizan Guanaes, Maya L. Harris, Mellody Hobson and Judith Rodin to launch the evening's program.

From there, 60 Minutes anchor Leslie Stahl will take the stage to lead a panel on forced marriage in the Muslim world—and whether mothers are to blame. We'll hear from the joint head of the U.K.'s Forced Marriage Unit, Chaz Askoshile, who'll describe the dramatic rescue of a British bride from Islamabad, where she was forced by her family to marry against her will—illuminating a disturbing trend in which Western parents abduct their daughters and send them abroad to wed. She'll be joined by Sabatina James, author of Condemned Without a Crime, and Jasvinder Sanghera, CEO and founder of Karma Nirvana.

Later in the evening, CBS's Charlie Rose will talk to former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about war's impact on women around the world; Congolese genocide survivor Sandra Uwiringiyimana will share how she built a new life for herself as a photographer in New York City; and actress and activist Angelina Jolie will address the crowd.

Wrapping up the night's events, columnist Niall Ferguson will interview Christine Lagarde, chief of the International Monetary Fund, about the global economy's next act. Stay tuned.