The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the European Association for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers in Brussels, held yesterday, Wednesday, July 14, 2021, via videoconference, a coordination meeting to explore the organization of an international conference at the headquarters of the European Parliament, next December, in celebration of World Arabic Language Day.

Dr. Majdi Haji Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO Center for Arabic Language for Non-Arabic Speakers; Dr. Youssef Ismaili, Expert at the Center and Ms. Rajae Al Hakkouni, Program Assistant at the Center, represented ICESCO during the meeting. Ms. Samira ben Abdelouahab, President of the Association, and Dr. Fatima Houssni, President of the Association’s Scientific Committee, represented The European Association for Teaching Arabic to Non-Arabic Speakers.

During the meeting, the two parties discussed the importance of involving international organizations and major global institutions in celebrating World Arabic Language Day and touched upon the details of the Conference, due to be held in cooperation between ICESCO and the Association. The two parties also discussed the Conference title, themes, and date, along with the list of proposed participants. They agreed on holding a parallel training workshop for Arabic language teachers.

At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed on a set of recommendations to develop a roadmap for joint-action arrangements and assign tasks to prepare for the Conference.