Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, Ugandan State Minister for Higher Education, explored ways of strengthening cooperation in areas of common interest, most notably higher education and scientific research promotion.
During the meeting, held on Tuesday (March 5, 2024), at the University of Kampala, prior to the start of the second day of the twentieth anniversary of the African-Arab Youth Council, Dr. Al-Malik highlighted that ICESCO has become open to its Member States to devise adequate programs and projects based on the priorities and needs of each country, stressing the Organization’s willingness to continue fruitful cooperation with Uganda in the fields of education, science and culture.
During the meeting, ICESCO Director-General pointed out to the Organization’s initiative to establish a scientific research chair on psychological and mental health at Kampala International University in Uganda, within the framework of ICESCO support for the efforts of its Member States in developing scientific research.
For his part, Dr. Muyingo commended ICESCO’s roles in supporting the efforts of its Member States in their areas of competence, stressing the Ugandan Ministry of Higher Education’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization.
Afterwards, the second day activities of the Afro-Arab Youth Council’s anniversary kicked off with a workshop on ‘Sufferance of People with Mental Health Challenges’, where Dr. Muyingo conveyed to Dr. Al-Malik the congratulations of Her Excellency Janet Museveni, Ugandan First Lady, Minister of Education and Sports of the Republic of Uganda, for the developments and modernization witnessed at ICESCO, within its strategic vision and organizational structure, to advance the fields of education, science and culture in the countries of the Islamic world.
During the workshop, Dr. Abbas Agaba, Secretary-General of the African-Arab Youth Council, and Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector at ICESCO, signed a memorandum of understanding between ICESCO and the Council, with a view of enhancing joint cooperation between the two parties in areas of common interest through conferences, seminars, and workshops in the fields of artificial intelligence, space science, heritage preservation and peacebuilding.
Within the framework of its Year of Youth, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) announced the accreditation of 100 new young ambassadors for peace from 68 countries, on Tuesday (March 5, 2024), at Kampala University, in Kampala, Uganda, during the launch of the activities of the third cohort of its Leadership Training Programme for Peace and Security (LTIPS) for 2023, bringing the number of ICESCO Young Peace Ambassadors to 180 in total.
Young people will be qualified and mobilized to contribute to building peace, consolidating the values of coexistence and tolerance, and maintaining social cohesion in their countries through training sessions and workshops, facilitated by thinkers, specialized experts, and inspiring leaders from around the world.
During the accreditation ceremony of ICESCO’s Young Peace Ambassadors, which was attended by Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, Ugandan Minister of State for Higher Education, and Dr. Abbas Agaba, Secretary-General of the African-Arab Youth Council, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stressed that these young people will become peace ambassadors to serve as leaders of positive change in their societies amid the widespread conflicts and wars, indicating that the Organization aspires to reach 500 young peace ambassadors by 2025.
In his speech, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo congratulated the young men and women on their appointment as ICESCO Peace Ambassadors, commending their key role in consolidating coexistence in the countries of the Islamic world and beyond.
For her part, Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector at ICESCO, stressed that the Organization believes in the necessity of building inclusive societies, indicating that LTIPS has achieved great success since its launch in 2021, including its current edition, being held under the theme ‘Planting the seeds of peace by mobilizing women and young leaders’, which witnesses a wide participation of over two thousand candidates, from whom one hundred young men and women were selected.
Afterwards, Dr. AlMalik and Dr. Muyingo decorated the new ICESCO Peace Ambassadors.
It is noteworthy that ICESCO’s LTIPS aims to build the capacities of young people and develop their leadership skills, through 10 training modules, based on ICESCO 360° Peace Approach, focusing on the various dimensions of building and strengthening peace, and providing the opportunity for young people to exchange with inspiring leaders from different generations and countries, in addition to special workshops for the Youth Peace Incubator.
The program celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Afro-Arab Youth Council in the Ugandan capital Kampala kicked off today, Monday 4 March 2024. The Event, organized by the Council, in partnership with the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), carries the theme: “Youth, Peace, Culture, and Wellbeing.” It includes a week-long series of workshops, training sessions, and roundtable discussions highlighting the relationship between culture, sports, and good health. The Celebration is attended by several officials, international figures, and a host of youth hailing from all around the world, all aimed at promoting a culture of peace and responsible leadership among youth.
Prior to the opening session, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, along with a delegation of representatives from Member States of the Afro-Arab Youth Council, visited the Innovation Laboratory at Makerere University. There, they were briefed on the modern technologies and equipment available at the lab, all aimed at encouraging students to engage in scientific research and innovation.
In his opening remarks, Dr. AlMalik highlighted ICESCO’s declaration of 2023 as its Youth Year to enhance their creative potential and motivate them to seek and achieve personal development. ICESCO Director-General also praised the partnership existing between the Organization and the Afro-Arab Youth Council, paving the way for fruitful cooperation at the service of youth in Africa, the Islamic world, and beyond.
Furthermore, His Excellency reaffirms that launching the training sessions for the third group of beneficiaries of ICESCO’s Leadership Training in Peace and Security Program, in parallel with the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the Council’s founding, is a major step in this direction. The 3rd group of the program will see the number of ICESCO’s youth ambassadors for peace climb to 180, hailing from over 68 countries.
Dr. AlMalik underlined that culture plays a vital role in bringing about positive change in societies, enhancing social cohesion, and driving economic transformation. His Excellency also highlighted the Organization’s efforts to raise awareness among young people about the rich cultural heritage of African and Islamic countries, with an aim to promote and preserve it.
In his address, Dr. Abbas Agaba, Secretary-General of the Afro-Arab Youth Council, highlighted the roles and efforts of the Council in promoting unity and cooperation between African and Arab countries, as well as accompanying youth on their educational journey and peace-building efforts.
Mr. Bakary Y. Badjie, Minister of Youth and Sports in the Republic of Gambia, emphasized the importance of integrating youth into various fields and the need to enhance quality education to build generations that are capable of contributing to peace, addressing global challenges, and resolving conflicts.
For her part, Ms. Rosie Agoi, Secretary-General of the Ugandan National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, reviewed the Commission’s work, lauding the fruitful cooperation with ICESCO in several programs, including improving water and sanitation services in several schools and providing technological equipment to students.
Ms. Asmaa El Hilali, from the Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, reaffirmed Morocco’s keenness to empowering and enhancing the youth capacities, considering its importance in establishing security and peace. She reviewed Morocco’s experience in encouraging youth involvement and supporting them in entrepreneurship.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Kingdom of Morocco signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a project on building the educational and digital capacities of the teaching faculty in universities and institutions of higher education.
The Project aims to train 600 professors in 12 Moroccan universities to utilize digital tools and open educational resources in teaching. During the signing ceremony, held on Thursday, 29 February 2024, at the Ministry’s headquarters, in the presence of several Moroccan university presidents and senior officials at the Ministry, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, stated that regular classes and old-fashioned, traditional training and curricula cannot bridge the gap between us and the future, adding that skills and creativity are the most effective and efficient means to bridge this gap.
Dr. AlMalik added that Morocco is the first to benefit from this Project, which will be implemented in a number of countries in the Islamic world in later stages. He further explained that it aims to enhance the digital and educational skills of new professors and researchers and provide them with innovative educational and digital tools at all levels with a view to improving the quality of learning and training in universities.
For his part, Dr. Abdellatif Miraoui, Moroccan Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, lauded the project for its expected outcomes and added value as it will use an educational and digital inclusive approach to develop the skills of newly appointed faculty staff to the most modern international standards.
According to the terms of the memorandum of understanding, the project, being implemented by the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), provides year-round four training courses on: “educational sciences and teaching methods at university”, “online teaching methods, e-learning tools and teaching on e-learning platforms”, “foundations of media coverage for studio production” and “open educational and digital resources, copyright and open licenses, and professional ethics and scientific integrity.”
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Government of the Republic of Gabon signed a partnership agreement to implement joint projects and programs in the fields of education, science and culture over the period between 2024 and 2028.
At the beginning of the signing ceremony today, Wednesday (February 28, 2024) at the Organization headquarters in Rabat, Dr. Salim Al-Malik, ICESCO Director-General, expressed satisfaction at the signing of the agreement, aimed at developing the existing partnership between the Organization and the Republic of Gabon, stressing that it will be a fresh start for cooperation between the two sides, and a model for cooperation with ICESCO Member States, and pledged to ensure the implementation of the terms of the agreement to the fullest extent.
For his part, Dr. Hervé Ndoume Essingone, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovation of the Republic of Gabon and Chairman of the Gabonese National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, pointed out that Gabon has a distinguished historical relationship with ICESCO, stating that this agreement is concluded following the instructions of the Transitional President of Gabon to value the partnership between Gabon and the Organization and to give new impetus to a fruitful cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture.
According to the terms of the agreement, a number of programs will be implemented, most notably the program to modernize the Gabonese educational institutions, the organization of the first ladies conference in the capital, Libreville, the hosting by Gabon of ICESCO’s next Executive Council meeting, the launch of the ICESCO-Gabon Prize for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the establishment of the ICESCO Science City, and the creation of ICESCO Chair of pharmacopoeia and traditional medicine at the University of Science and Health in Gabon, and the Chair for Women, Girls and Communities at Omar Bongo University, in addition to programs to build and upgrade the capacities of youth and women, consolidate the values of peace, promote learning the Arabic language, and train staff working in the field of heritage.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a Yemeni delegation from the Benevolence Coalition for Humanitarian Relief (BCHR), headed by Mr. Fahmy Salmeen, the Executive Director of the BCHR, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat on Wednesday 28 February 2024. The meeting reviewed the results and developments in the “Girl Dropout Reintegration Project” in Yemen, being implemented by BCHR, funded by Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) and overseen and monitored in its executive phases by ICESCO.
During the meeting, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik renewed ICESCO’s commitment to supporting Yemen in the fields of education, sciences and Culture through the implementation of a set of programs and practical and well-defined activities in cooperation with the competent authorities in Yemen and in coordination with the Yemeni National Commission for Education, Science and Culture.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik lauded KSRelief for funding the “Girl Dropout Reintegration Project” and expressed appreciation for BCHR’s efforts to implement it.
The delegation of BCHR briefed ICESCO Director-General on the latest developments in the Project, which was implemented in 7 Yemeni governorates, and pointed to its success as it exceeded its goals on all levels. Initially, the Project targeted 19,000 girls, while 21,500 girls have benefited from it thus far. Additionally, the Project aimed to train 350 instructors and will now build the capacities of 500 instructors by the end of the Project in two months. Likewise, the project worked on equipping several classrooms and supporting girls’ families in establishing small income-generating economic activities.
At the end of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue coordination to explore prospects for implementing the Project in other Yemeni governorates or similar projects in cooperation with the Yemeni Ministry of Education.
The delegation of BCHR handed a memorial shield to Dr. AlMalik in recognition of the efforts of ICESCO to ensure the success of the Project.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science, and Culture (ICESCO), received Dr. Hervé Ndoum Essingone, Gabonese Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Technological Innovation, President of the Gabonese National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, to discuss the recent advancements in the partnership between ICESCO and Gabon in areas of mutual interest.
At the outset of the meeting, held on 27 February 2024, Dr. AlMalik warmly welcomed Dr. Essingone to ICESCO headquarters. In attendance were Mr. Sylver Aboubacar Minko Mi Nseme, Ambassador of the Gabonese Republic to Morocco, and the accompanying delegation of the Minister. Dr. AlMalik expressed gratitude for the gracious reception he received during his recent visit to the capital, Libreville. He highlighted the successful meeting he had with General Brice Oligui Nguema, Transitional President of Gabon, which marked a promising start to the cooperation between ICESCO and Gabon in the fields of education, science, and culture.
The Gabonese Minister expressed his appreciation to ICESCO and its Director-General for their keenness to cooperate with his country, stating that his visit to the Organization was in line with the instructions of the President of Gabon to reaffirm the commitment to a fruitful partnership with ICESCO, as previously agreed.
The meeting explored various proposals to enhance the partnership between ICESCO and Gabon, including organizing a meeting for the First Ladies in Libreville, hosting ICESCO’s forthcoming Executive Council meeting in Gabon, and collaborating to prepare for the Summit of the Future scheduled at the United Nations headquarters in New York in September. Additionally, the discussions tackled supporting Gabon’s strategy to promote culture, enhance cultural establishments nationwide, and contribute to the modernization of educational institutions.
At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to form a joint working team to continue coordinating, developing executive plans, and monitoring the programs and projects of cooperation between ICESCO and Gabon.
Afterwards, an expanded meeting took place involving the Gabonese Minister, his accompanying delegation, and the heads of sectors, centers, and departments at ICESCO. During this meeting, they reviewed the Organization’s ongoing initiatives and programs, as well as ICESCO’s strategic plan for 2024 and 2025. Additionally, they discussed and identified Gabon’s priorities and needs in the areas of education, science, and culture.
Subsequently, Dr. AlMalik accompanied the Gabonese Minister to visit the halls of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at the headquarters of ICESCO in partnership with the Muslim World League (MWL) and the Mohammedia League of Scholars.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mrs. Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, Mayor of Marrakech, Minister of National Territory and Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy of the Kingdom of Morocco. The two parties reviewed ways of ensuring the success of the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2024, under the patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.
During the meeting, held this Friday, February 23, 2024, at the headquarters of the Ministry of National Territory and Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik underlined ICESCO’s commitment to implementing a rich and distinctive program highlighting the artistic and cultural elements that distinguish the Red City. This program aims not only to strengthen the city’s cultural capital, but also to contribute to the promotion of its historic status as a global cultural destination, promoting the values of coexistence and dialogue.
The Director General of ICESCO noted that the Organization is working to implement numerous activities and programs, including cultural and artistic competitions, training workshops and symposia on the heritage of Marrakech, as well as international conferences on the values of coexistence, peace and civilizational dialogue. For her part, Ms. El Mansouri welcomed the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World, and reaffirmed her full commitment to cooperating in the implementation of the year-long celebration program, in line with the city’s historical and cultural status.
At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to maintain coordination between ICESCO and Marrakech City Council to ensure the success of this major cultural event.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Farid Chourak, Wali of Marrakech-Safi Region. The Officials discussed cooperation between ICESCO and the Wilaya, as part of celebrating Marrakech as a Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2024, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him.
At the outset of the meeting, held today, Thursday 22 February 2024 at the headquarters of the Wilaya in Marrakech, Dr. AlMalik expressed ICESCO’s appreciation for the support of the Wilaya of Marrakech-Safi in ensuring the successful launch of the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2024, which will continue throughout the year. ICESCO Director-General further emphasized the Organization’s keenness to cooperate with relevant civil society institutions to implement programs, activities, and launch various competitions highlighting the cultural momentum of the Red City.
Moreover, Dr. AlMalik presented the Wali of the Marrakech-Safi Region with a commemorative plate engraved with a poem in Arabic titled “Marrakech of Glories,” which Dr. AlMalik composed himself, on the occasion of the celebration of Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2024, and recited at the end of his address during the launch ceremony.
On his part, Dr. Chourak lauded ICESCO’s evolution, and its initiative to select Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for this year, commending the success of the official launch of the celebration last month. The Wali of Marrakech-Safi Region particularly expressed his admiration for the poem presented to him, thanking Dr. AlMalik for the words of beauty, praise, and appreciation it contained, and conveyed about the city of joy, its kind people, and its illustrious history.
During the Meeting, both sides agreed to implement a number of activities aimed at involving youth, women, and civil society organizations, and coordinating the participation of delegations from Islamic and non-Islamic countries in these activities, in addition to forming a team from ICESCO to visit the headquarters of the Wilaya of Marrakech-Safi Region to develop executive plans for cooperation between the two sides throughout the year of celebration.
The International Symposium on Media Education: Horizons and Aspirations, kicked off today, Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at ICESCO headquarters and via videoconference. The Symposium is being held by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the League of Arab States, represented in its Media and Communication Sector—Department of the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Information Ministers, and the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco.
The Symposium, which brought together high-caliber participation from 16 countries, including ministers, prominent international figures, and experts specializing in the field of media, IT and security education, aims to disseminate and consolidate the concepts and principles of media and IT education and works toward integrating them in school curricula to develop critical thinking skills.
The Symposium opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by the Address of Dr. Salim. M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, who stressed the central role of media in all fields, noting that the media sector has the power necessary to design, develop and improve the quality of its mechanisms. Moreover, the Director-General highlighted new web media statistics, which show that more than 4.4 billion people, representing 64.6% of the world population, exchange news, and ideas via social media. He also noted that humans spend 15% of their awake time on social networks, with a total of 10 billion hours spent daily in the virtual world.
In the same vein, the Director-General stated that the unfolding waves of new media and the communication revolutions necessitate a closer look at their implications with regard to personal privacy violations and fake news propaganda, to find ways to fight these phenomena and establish for a media education that upholds the values of equality, justice and citizenship.
Speaking next, Dr. Khaled bin Abdulaziz Alharfash, NAUSS Vice-President for External Relations, reaffirmed that the University’s programs aim to translate its interest in the role of media in fighting and preventing crimes into a tangible reality that contributes to promoting the concept of intellectual security. He added that this interest stems from the University’s mission to implement Arab security strategies and plans and prevent crime, expressing his high hopes that this Symposium serve as a stepping stone towards an Arab strategic plan to mainstream media education.
In his address, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication of the Kingdom of Morocco, stressed Morocco’s commitment to addressing the issues of media and communication to promote critical media literacy among all social groups, especially young people, and empower them to positively use different media tools. The Moroccan Minister also highlighted his country’s efforts to promote media education and integrate it in school curricula.
In a recorded address, Mr. Jean Emmanuel Rimtalba Ouedraogo, Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism of the Republic of Burkina Faso, talked about his country’s great interest in media education, casting light on its efforts in this field, which include raising awareness of the proper way to handle social media.
Dr. Farid El-Bacha, President of Mohamed V University, also gave an address at this key event, on behalf of Dr. Abdelatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation in the Kingdom of Morocco, where he addressed the theme of the Symposium, in light of the current world changes.
For his part, Mr. Hicham Bellaoui, Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Public Ministry, addressed the Symposium on behalf of Mr. El-Hassan Daki, King’s Attorney General at the Court of Cassation, President of the Public Ministry in the Kingdom of Morocco, stressing the significance of media education in light of a global context characterized by a technological revolution in the field of media. The Secretary-General stated that media education aims to develop people’s abilities to analyze media messages, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts in this field.
There followed the address of Mr. Boubker Sabik, Police Superintendent General, Spokesperson for the General Directorate of National Security and the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, on behalf of Mr. Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director of the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), Member of NAUSS Supreme Council, who underscored the need to shield society and raise shared awareness of the importance of media education to prevent crime, noting that the Directorate has exerted significant efforts to integrate development plans and modern approaches to collectively promote security.
Over the course of two days, the Symposium’s working sessions will discuss scientific papers on partnerships between the fields of media and education to build a knowledge society and achieve sustainable development; ethics of the freedom of expression in media legislations and charters; leading Arab and international experiences in disseminating media education; prerequisites of media education in Arab school curricula; and AI and the future of media education.
