As part of the activities of the International Forum “Culture for Rethinking the World,” the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the tenth session of its workshop on cultural communication for development, entitled “How do the arts and storytelling drive social change?” on Thursday, 24 July 2025.

During the workshop, moderated by Ms. Souhaila El Jinani, Heritage and Museums Expert at the Culture Sector, Ms. Khadija Maalej, Media Expert and Project Manager at BBC Media Action, presented a number of inspiring examples that highlight the power of art and storytelling and their impact in various contexts, including a musician initiative from the State of Bengaluru, India, who used music to alleviate the difficult conditions of waste collectors and have a positive impact on their daily lives.

Another example was shared from the Gaza Strip, in which animated cartoons were used to tell a symbolic story affirming the fundamental right of children to play and enjoy their childhood despite wars and conflicts.

The workshop concluded with a presentation by Dr. Mohammed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, who emphasized the role of media as catalysts for social change through the power of storytelling and artistic expression, and stressed their importance in concrete future projects in partnership with young creators and cultural actors.