Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Laurent Serge Etoundi Ngoa, Minister of Basic Education and Chairman of the Cameroon National Commission for UNESCO, explored ways to strengthen cooperation between ICESCO and Cameroon in areas of mutual interest.
During the meeting, which took place today, Friday, July 1, 2022, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Basic Education in the Cameroonian capital, Yaoundé, the two parties reaffirmed their eagerness to sustain the distinguished partnership between ICESCO and Cameroon, especially in light of the celebration of Yaoundé as Culture Capital in the Islamic world for a whole year, as well as to explore several programs and projects in the fields of education, science and culture.
The meeting touched upon the challenges facing education and the visions related to its transformation, before the Transforming Education Summit to be held next September in New York, during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, as well as the importance of taking into account the preservation of cultural identity and the specificities of each country during the transformation process.
ICESCO DG confirmed that the Organization will provide all the necessary support to Cameroon in the educational fields as the two parties agreed to arrange a visit of an ICESCO delegation to Yaoundé to review the new Cameroonian education strategy and to present some proposals in this regard.
The Celebration of Yaoundé, Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, officially kicked off in a major ceremony, held under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Paul Biya, President of Cameroon, who presided over the ceremony, on Thursday 30 June 2022, at the National Museum in Yaoundé. The ceremony also brought together Mr. Joseph Dion Ngoti, Prime Minister of Cameroon, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of ICESCO, Dr. Mohamed Zine El Abidine, Head of ICESCO Culture and Communication Sector, senior Cameroonian officials and religious leaders, public figures and accredited ambassadors as well as thousands of citizens.
The launch of the year-round celebration, in coordination between the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Arts and Culture of the Republic of Cameroon, falls within the framework of the new edition of ICESCO Programme of Cultural Capitals in the Islamic World, which aims at promoting heritage and consolidating the values of peace, coexistence and civilized dialogue.
In his address, Dr. AlMalik expressed his thanks to the President of the Republic of Cameroon for his generous sponsorship of the celebration and his continuous support for cultural development, commending the role of Yaoundé in the production of oral literature in the African continent, contemporary arts and music.
He also commended the linguistic, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of Yaoundé, the City of the Seven Hills, pointing out that it is a model of religious moderation, tolerance and spiritual and moral values. “The celebration of Yaoundé will contribute to achieving sustainable development in the fields of culture and scientific research and building the capacities of women and youth,” added ICESCO DG.
Dr. AlMalik stressed the Organization’s willingness to cooperate with the relevant Cameroonian authorities to ensure the success of the celebration, which will contribute to the promotion of tourism in the city, highlight its heritage and natural sites, enhance its regional and international reputation, attract investments in the cultural field and promote coexistence and tolerance.
“ICESCO will assist the Cameroonian authorities to inscribe heritage sites in the Al-Halouf region, Goto Golfi Tower and Bidzar archaeological site on the Islamic World Heritage List. It will also hold workshops on the inscription process of cultural elements on the heritage lists,” underlined Dr. AlMalik.
Moreover, he pointed out that the ICESCO Chair on Cultural Diversity, Peace and International Cooperation at the Institute of International Relations in Cameroon will be strengthened to develop scientific research and hold an international conference on cultural heritage and local development in Yaoundé in addition to several activities in coordination with the Cameroonian National Commission.
At the close of his address, ICESCO DG lauded the achievements of a number of Cameroonian figures in the fields of politics, literature, culture, arts and sports, stressing that they constitute a source of inspiration for new generations in Africa and all continents.
AlMalik: Transforming Education and Developing its Systems Require Cooperation between Countries and Specialized Organizations
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stated that in light of digitization’s fast-tracking pace, the right to education must entail comprehensive digital education that strengthens the involvement of individuals in various fields of cultural, economic, political and social life. ICESCO DG noted that education is constantly evolving, which in turn will transform the schools of tomorrow into advanced digital schools that rely on artificial intelligence technologies.
ICESCO DG made this statement in an address he gave during a reception hosted by ICESCO on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, for Member States’ delegations taking part in the UN Transforming Education Pre-Summit.
In his address, ICESCO DG called for taking advantage of the potential of digitization to promote free education, adopt teaching methods that meet learners’ needs, respect diversity and inclusion and update legal frameworks to protect data.
He added that transforming education and developing educational systems require serious and continuous cooperation between countries and specialized international organizations, to strengthen partnership, regardless of the differences in interests since the destiny of humanity is one. He added that ICESCO seeks to support its Member States in developing comprehensive, sustainable and equal educational systems, through investing in education in the Islamic world, exchanging experiences, implementing programs and projects and holding workshops, in order to find solutions based on modern technologies and innovation to provide education for all.
Following the address, the reception witnessed rich discussions between the participants and the ICESCO delegation headed by Dr. AlMalik, in an effort to draw a practical vision on the key educational issues, which can be proposed for discussions at the UN Transforming Education Summit in New York in September 2022, as well as the initiatives that can be proposed through the Summit, to be part of the global action program for the development of education.
For their part, the participants stressed the importance of sustaining coordination between ICESCO and its Member States to address education challenges, exchange experiences and best practices in facing these challenges. They stressed the need to develop an in-depth understanding of ways to transform educational institutions to keep pace with developments that the world is witnessing, ahead of their participation in the UN Transforming Education Summit.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Marwan Awartani, Minister of Education of the State of Palestine, held a meeting to explore prospects of cooperation in various fields, especially education.
During their meeting, held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, on the sidelines of their participation in the Transforming Education Pre-Summit, which kicked off today at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the two officials reviewed the major programs and projects implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and the competent parties in the State of Palestine.
The meeting also addressed the cooperation proposals for the upcoming period and agreed on designing programs and activities that are in line with the Palestinian priorities and contribute to promoting the educational process, all in conformity with ICESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations.
For his part, the Palestinian Minister reiterated his thanks to ICESCO, represented by its Director-General, for its sustained support in promoting the Palestinian school system, especially with regard to mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting was attended by Ambassador Mr. Mounir Anastas, Permanent Delegate of Palestine to UNESCO, and Dr. Dawas Dawas, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and Chairman of ICESCO’s Executive Council. The ICESCO delegation consisted of Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director-General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), and Ms. Somia Djakta, Director of ICESCO Office and Permanent Delegation to UNESCO.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a series of meetings with several heads of delegation taking part in the UN Transforming Education Pre-Summit, which kicked off on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The Director-General highlighted ICESCO’s strategic roadmap and explored with the heads of the delegation the prospects of cooperation in the fields of education, science and culture, as well as coordination regarding the Transforming Education Summit, to be held next September in New York during the 77th General Assembly.
During his meeting with the Iranian delegation, chaired by Mr. Mahdi Fayyazi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, Director of the Center for International Affairs and Schools Abroad at the Iranian Ministry of Education, Dr. AlMalik and the ICESCO delegation explored the latest cooperation development between the Organization and Iran and discussed the major programs and activities of ICESCO’s Regional Center in Iran. The two parties also expressed their keenness to promote cooperation and partnership in implementing new programs within the framework of ICESCO’s strategic orientations.
The Iranian delegation renewed the invitation extended to the Director-General to visit Iran and stressed their country’s sustained support for ICESCO and its various initiatives, programs and activities.
Moreover, the Director-General met with Dr. Adel Al-Busaisi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Iraq, and together they explored cooperation prospects between the Organization and Iraq in the fields of education, science and culture by agreeing on the implementation of a number of joint programs and projects that meet the priorities of Iraq within ICESCO’s areas of competence and in line with the Organization’s strategic orientations as contained in its strategic roadmap 2022.
The two parties also discussed cooperation between ICESCO and the competent Iraqi authorities in organizing international conferences, seminars, workshops and specialized training sessions to contribute to building the capacities of women and young people in areas of education, science and culture.
In addition, Dr. AlMalik met with Mr. Salah Khaled, Director of UNESCO Doha Office for Gulf States and Yemen, UNESCO Representative to Gulf States and Yemen, and together discussed the prospects of building strong cooperation relations between the two parties in cooperation with the Gulf States. They also discussed cooperation in the fields of Arabic, heritage, education programs, statistics and other areas of common interests.
These meetings were attended by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the Director-General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), and Ms. Somia Djakta, Director of ICESCO Office and Permanent Delegation to UNESCO.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Musa Muhammad Al-Maqrif, Libyan Minister of Education, Chairman of the Libyan National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, and discussed cooperation developments between ICESCO and the State of Libya in the fields of education, science and culture.
During the meeting, held on Thursday (23 June 2022), as part of the visit of the Libyan Minister of Education and his delegation to ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Dr. Said M’hamad Ed-Dbib, Permanent Delegation of Libya to ICESCO, Dr. AlMalik stressed ICESCO’s keenness to enhance communication with Member States’ National Commissions to identify their priorities and needs, and design country-tailored programmes and projects to implement them in cooperation with the competent authorities.
ICESCO Director-General indicated that ICESCO’s strategic orientations focus on building the capacities of youth and women, enhancing their orientation to entrepreneurship in innovation, encouraging the Member States to invest in space sciences, capitalizing on artificial intelligence applications in the fields of education, science and culture, consolidating the values of peace, coexistence and civilized dialogue, and contributing to preserving and promoting the heritage of the Islamic world.
The meeting touched on the key programmes, projects and training sessions that have been recently implemented in cooperation between ICESCO and the competent Libyan authorities, and the future proposals for a partnership to implement practical programmes and projects.
For his part, Dr. Al-Maqrif expressed Libya’s pride in the constructive cooperation with ICESCO and stressed its keenness to further implement qualitative programmes and projects to achieve the desired outcomes, commending the Organization’s remarkable roles and the support it provides to the Member States in its areas of competence.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization, held a meeting to explore ways to promote cooperation between the two organizations in developing agricultural technology, promoting food security and environment protection, and building women and youth capacities, especially in rural areas.
During the meeting held on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, via videoconference, the two parties discussed the mechanisms of updating the MoU signed between the two organizations to set out for new cooperation programs in the field of developing agricultural technology, capitalizing on the potential of AI applications in this field, protecting the environment, achieving food security, countering wastage, building the capacities of women and the youth in rural areas and supporting them in creating income-generating projects.
The DG also highlighted the major projects and programs that ICESCO implements to support the efforts of its Member States to achieve sustainable development through encouraging the use of modern technology in the agricultural field and training women and young people in agricultural entrepreneurship.
For his part, Dr. Qu Dongyu commended ICESCO’s efforts and its open-door policy, noting that the number of Member States in the two organizations will contribute to building fruitful cooperation in expertise exchange. The FAO official also stressed the importance of updating the MoU to help build leadership capacities among women and young people.
The meeting was attended by several FAO officials, along with a team of experts from ICESCO, namely Ms. Amira Fadil, Head of the Sector of Cooperation and International Cooperation; Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Sector of Science and Technology; and Ms. Rim Jirari, Head of the Section of Organizations and Bodies at the Sector of Cooperation and International Cooperation.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed that the Organization continuously strives to safeguard and promote the heritage of Al-Quds, which abounds with treasure troves of monotheistic religions throughout different eras, and reflects people’s diverse cultures and plural backgrounds. He added that ICESCO stands steadfast in its refusal and rejection of all Judaization attempts and commits to supporting all projects and activities that serve and preserve the identity of Al-Quds, its Mosque, its Dome of Rock and its proud and resilient people.
The DG made this statement in an address he gave at the celebration of the Al-Quds Activity Day, held by the Bait Mal Al-Quds Agency, the executive body of Al-Quds Committee, which is chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco. The celebration was held at the Agency’s headquarters as part of the celebration of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic World for 2022, with the participation of Dr. Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, Director of the Agency; Mr. Jamal Al-Shobaki, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the Kingdom of Morocco, and a delegation from the National Popular Congress of Al-Quds.
The DG stated that one of the strategic goals of the Programme of the Culture Capitals in the Islamic World is to highlight the richness and diversity of the capitals’ cultural heritage, as well as their cultural and art movements to promote understanding among nations and peoples. He noted that throughout history, Al-Quds has been at the forefront of cities known for its values of tolerances, diversity and long-standing history and its people who we should all support. The DG commended the quality activities that the Agency organizes in contribution to highlighting the cultural and artistic heritage of the city of Rabat, notably the launch of the program to support the sector of culture and social activity in Al-Quds, titled “Ribat Al-Quds.” Dr. AlMalik concluded his address by reading a poem in honor of Al-Quds, titled “Shawqu Al-Liqaa.”
The celebration of Al-Quds Activity Day featured the inauguration of a photography exhibition on Al-Quds titled, “Rabat in Al-Quds,” which was opened by the guests of honor of the celebration who visited its various exhibited collections.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), and Mr. Nabil Mohamed Ahmed, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Republic of Djibouti, held a meeting to explore ways of enhancing cooperation between ICESCO and Djibouti in several areas of common interest.
During the meeting, which took place on Monday, June 20, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, with the presence of Mr. Mohamed Douhour Hersi, Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti to the Kingdom of Morocco, and the delegation accompanying the Minister, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key components of ICESCO vision and strategy, which accord great importance to youth and women capacity-building, foster scientific research in the Member States, encourage investment in space sciences and make use of artificial intelligence applications to promote education, science and culture.
The meeting reviewed the existing cooperation between ICESCO and Djibouti and the Organization’s support in the field of teaching the Arabic language. The two parties also discussed future cooperation in implementing joint programs in the fields of education, scientific research, women and youth capacity-building, as well as attracting talents from Djibouti to work at ICESCO.
For his part, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Djibouti expressed his country’s aspiration to build a fruitful partnership with ICESCO in areas of common interest, especially in supporting the Arabic language and adopting cultural projects within Djibouti universities to valorize and safeguard heritage.
He invited ICESCO to participate in a climate conference to be held in the Republic of Djibouti in October.
The meeting brought together Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General, Ms. Amira Fadel, Head of ICESCO Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation, and Supervisor of ICESCO’s Secretariat of National Commissions and Conferences.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Robert Dölger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored cooperation prospects between the Organization and the Federal Republic in the fields of education, science and culture.
During the meeting, which was held on Monday, June 20, 2022, at ICESCO Headquarters in Rabat, in the presence of Mr. Steffen Krueger, representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Morocco, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the key programmes and activities that ICESCO is currently implementing in light of its new vision and strategic orientations that rest upon openness to as well as cooperation and greater communication with not only the Member States but also the Non-Member States who are allowed to join the Organization as observers, including the Federal Republic of Germany, which is home to a vast Muslim community.
ICESCO DG commended the distinguished cooperation between the Organization and several German institutions, notably the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Leibniz Association, noting that ICESCO is keen to cooperate with more German entities in the fields of education, science and culture.
He also reaffirmed the importance that ICESCO, through its various sectors and centers, attaches to serving its Member States and Muslim communities around the world, particularly in the areas of building women and youth capacity, guaranteeing the right to equitable and quality education for all, promoting a culture of foresight, anchoring peace, civilizational dialogue and coexistence, countering extremist ideas, encouraging investment in space sciences, and supporting efforts aimed at leveraging artificial intelligence and new technologies to advance education, science and culture.
For his part, the German Ambassador hailed ICESCO’s roles in supporting its Member States and underscored his country’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization in its areas of competence, noting the effective partnership between ICESCO and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, reflected in the organization of multiple training sessions and workshops aimed at building the capacities of young people, encouraging them to read, offering them scholarships, and combating extremism.
The meeting saw the attendance of Mrs. Amira El Fadil, Head of ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of the Strategic Foresight Center, Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor at the Science and Technology Sector, and Mr. Omer Hamid, Expert at the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector.
