Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a meeting with Ms. Elena Shmeleva, Chairperson of the Board of the Federal Territory « Sirius » in Russia and President of the Talent and Success Foundation, to explore prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the Foundation, and exchanged successful experiences in education and talent support.
During the meeting, held on May 27, 2024, in Kazan, on the sidelines of the “Russia-Islamic World” International Economic Forum, Dr. AlMalik reviewed the main initiatives, programs, and projects that ICESCO is implementing in collaboration with specialized entities in its Member States, particularly in the areas of education, capacity building, innovation enhancement, and entrepreneurship support.
Ms. Shmeleva shared insights and experiences on advancing education and nurturing talents within the Federal Territory « Sirius » and the Talent and Success Foundation, which supports talented persons from across the Russian Federation. Additionally, she highlighted the Foundation’s collaborations with several entities in ICESCO Member States.
The meeting discussed proposals for cooperation between the two sides, as Dr. AlMalik invited the President of the Talent and Success Foundation to present the latter’s successful experience at the Conference of Ministers of Education of ICESCO Member States, scheduled to be held in Oman in October.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to form working teams and maintain ongoing coordination to develop plans for cooperation and partnership through practical programs and projects to be implemented in the coming phase.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Mintimer Shaimiev, State Counsellor of the Republic of Tatarstan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Revival Regional Foundation for Historical and Cultural Monuments, and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue, to discuss cooperation avenues between ICESCO and Tatarstan in cultural fields, particularly in the preservation and valorization of heritage and Arabic language teaching.
Dr. AlMalik began the meeting, which took place on Friday May 17, 2024, at the representative building of the Kazan Kremlin, by expressing his appreciation for the efforts of the Revival Regional Foundation for for Historical and Cultural Monuments in preserving heritage. He congratulated Mr. Shaimiev on the inscription of the Kazan City Observatory in the Republic of Tatarstan on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage List.
Furthermore, he emphasized that ICESCO’s new vision and strategic directions prioritize the protection, preservation, and valorization of heritage. Accordingly, the Organization established the Heritage Center and the Islamic World Heritage Committee, to inscribe historical sites and cultural elements on its lists of tangible and intangible heritage. For his part, the State Counsellor of the Republic of Tatarstan praised ICESCO’s roles in preserving heritage, calling for the inclusion of the “Sabantuy” festival on the Organization’s list of intangible heritage. This is one of the most important harvest festivals celebrated since the Middle Ages, translating to ” plough’s feast,” and features many artistic activities every year.
The meeting also discussed ways to enhance cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan in cultural fields and heritage, as well as the Arabic language, by establishing ICESCO’s center for teaching Arabic at the Bolgar Islamic Academy in Bolgar, Russia, which celebrated the 1100th anniversary of the introduction of Islam in 2022.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides emphasized their commitment to developing cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan and continuing coordination to implement practical programs and projects in areas of mutual interest discussed during the meeting.
The pavilion of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), set at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center on the sidelines of the “Russia-Islamic World” International Economic Forum, continues to present its diverse program of meetings and seminars. Additionally, the Organization’s high-level delegation, led by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), continues to participate in sessions covering all activities held during this international event, which is organized by the Strategic Vision Group “Russia-Islamic World” and hosted by the Republic of Tatarstan over the period of May 14 – 19 , 2024.
ICESCO and the Ministry of Youth Affairs in the Republic of Tatarstan held a session on Thursday, May 16, 2024, under the theme: “Cultural Components and Traditional Values in Child Upbringing,” as part of the activities of the 10th Kazan Forum for Young Entrepreneurs from Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Session was attended by Dr. AlMalik, Mr. Timur Suleymanov, Aide to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Mr. Rinat Sadykov, Minister of Youth Affairs, and Ms. Irada Ayupova, Minister of Culture. Rich discussions took place concerning the challenges faced by youth when making pivotal decisions in their lives, highlighting the shared role of modern technologies across various cultures in the upbringing of children and youth.
In addition to managing the meetings and seminars organized by ICESCO’s pavilion to highlight the Organization’s vision pillars and its strategic orientations, as well as the initiatives, programs, projects, and activities it implements to serve its member states and Muslim communities around the world. Moreover, ICESCO’s delegation members participated in various sessions to represent the Organization at all activities held on the sidelines of the Forum. Dr. Muhammad Sharif, Advisor in the Science and Environment Sector, participated in several sessions that were held at the 10th Kazan Forum for Young Entrepreneurs from OIC Member States, attended by a number of young entrepreneurs hailing from Islamic world countries and owners of leading projects in innovative industries. Dr. Sharif showcased the Organization’s efforts in supporting youth in the fields of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Abdullah Al Mulhim, expert at ICESCO’s Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, participated in the sessions of the 8th Young Diplomats Forum for OIC Member States, focusing on Russia as one of the global centers for Islamic education. He presented ICESCO’s visionary approach to building the capacities of youth and training them for leadership towards peace and security.
On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, a delegation from the University of Redlands, USA, and the Civilization Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (CECF) in Washington visited the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), where they discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of civilizational dialogue and the dissemination of the values of coexistence and peace.
Dr. Abelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General (DG), received the delegation headed by Dr. Mohamad Bashar Arafat, CECF President, which comprised of a number of students and faculty members from the University of Redlands. The meeting was attended by Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Sector of Human and Social Sciences; Amb. Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue; Dr. Ahmad Said Bah, Advisor to the General Directorate; and Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to the DG for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW).
During the meeting, Dr. Benarafa addressed the main axes of the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations, and key field initiatives within its areas of competence. He further explained that the Organization seeks to provide capacity building activities, and trainings on leadership for peace and security and skills for tomorrow’s professions for the benefit of young people and women, stating that ICESCO’s initiatives focus on promoting civilizational dialogue and consolidating the values of coexistence. Several ICESCO representatives also presented key programs and projects implemented by the Organization in the fields of education, science and culture, in cooperation with the competent authorities in its Member States and abroad.
The meeting saw rich discussions between the students and ICESCO’s representatives regarding cooperation proposals between the Organization and American universities.
Dr. Benarafa accompanied the delegation to the Mishkat Hall, where they were introduced to its key programs in the field of teaching Arabic. The delegation also visited the Museum and Exhibition of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO headquarters. The Museum and Exhibition conveys Islam’s messages of justice, peace, mercy, tolerance and coexistence.
Celebrated each May 18th, this year’s International Museum Day theme, “Museums for Education and Research,” highlights the role of these cultural institutions, which number 3,000 across the Islamic world, in advancing education, scientific research and heritage preservation.
On this occasion, which has been celebrated worldwide since 1977, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) calls upon its Member States and the world to strengthen the role of museums in education and research and to engage youth and students in heritage preservation. ICESCO’s call stems from its belief in the significance of museums to humanity, as they feature its intellectual treasures, preserve heritage, and convey cross-generational constructive messages.
ICESCO reiterates its unwavering support for museums across the Islamic world, bolstering their status as beacons of education and awareness-raising. This is achieved through the provision of technical support and training to museum professionals, and by fostering cooperation and exchange of expertise and knowledge between museums to amplify their role in achieving sustainable development and safeguarding the cultural heritage of the Islamic world.
Driven by a deep-seated belief in museums’ significance to the collective memory of Islamic world countries, ICESCO launched several initiatives in the field. These include the publication of the “Museums of African Region” in 2021, hosting the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization in its headquarters since 2022, and issuing a guide on the protection and valorization of museum exhibits in the Islamic world in 2023.
ICESCO currently supports a pioneering project geared toward green transformation and the use of clean energy. The project involves converting heritage sites and museums in Egypt to solar energy, a sustainable alternative that does not affect the environment and contributes to achieving sustainable development goals.
The Second Ministerial Conference on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) concluded its proceedings on Tuesday, 14 May 2024, in Baku. This year’s conference, which was organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan in partnership with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), witnessed an exchange of experiences and insights on the outcomes of PISA 2022, and discussions on ways to improve student performance in international assessment programmes and support educational reforms.
The conference concluded with a speech by Hasan Hasanli, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Science and Education, who thanked ICESCO and the OECD for their contribution to the success of the Conference, highlighting the importance of training future generations and developing the capacities of individuals to achieve sustainable development goals.
The second day of the Conference commenced with a panel discussion on OECD’s strategies to enhance the accessibility and relevance of PISA to a diverse range of countries and ways these strategies could assist countries in improving their abilities to design, manage, and examine assessment results.
Furthermore, a second session, moderated by Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Head of ICESCO’s Education Sector, addressed the cultural significance of PISA in ICESCO’s Member States and the necessity of aligning the assessment with the educational priorities of each country.
The session discussed ICESCO’s commitment to continue coordination and joint action with state leaders, ministers of education and education specialists to ensure that the educational resources and assessments in the Islamic world reflect the priorities and needs of the countries.
The session was followed by an open discussion with participants who stressed the role of education in promoting and preserving peace and reiterated the need to promote the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue in light of the continuous threat to the world’s security and harmony.
Today, Tuesday 14 May 2024, marked the conclusion of the International Conference on “Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights: Opportunities and Challenges.” Organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry Delegate in Charge of Human Rights of the Kingdom of Morocco, Ibn Tofail University, the Council of Europe, the Danish Institute for Human Rights, and the United Nations Development Program. The Conference aimed to facilitate the exchange of experiences and best practices related to the vast potential of AI applications. It also sought to address and mitigate any negative impacts on individuals’ rights and freedoms.
The opening of the Conference, held over two days at the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences in Kenitra, drew a distinguished audience. Notable attendees included Mr. Abdellatif Ouahbi, Minister of Justice of the Kingdom of Morocco; Dr. Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation of Morocco; Mr. Mohamed Larbi Kerkeb, President of Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra; Mr. Abdelkarim Boujradi, Secretary-General of the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights; and several experts from ICESCO.
The Conference featured insightful interventions and discussions by specialists, professors, and lawyers from Morocco and several other countries, on AI and its challenges in relation to human rights, opportunities for leveraging AI to enhance these rights, and the governance of the AI-human rights relationship.
During the working sessions, ICESCO experts reviewed the organization’s strategy in this field, highlighting its endeavors to formulate the Islamic World Charter for Artificial Intelligence. They also announced the launch of a research chair on the ethics of artificial intelligence in collaboration with the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in the Sultanate of Oman.
Representing ICESCO at the Conference were Ms. Bahija Smidi from the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, Dr. Asmaa Mahdioui, member of the Young Professionals Program, Dr. Ismaila Diallo, expert in the Sector of Science and Environment, and Dr. Hassan El-Hajjami, expert in the Social and Human Sciences Sector.
The conference garnered significant follow-up and interaction from numerous specialists and students both within and outside the Kingdom of Morocco. The live broadcasts of the Conference attracted over 21,000 viewers throughout the two-day event.
The conference garnered significant follow-up and interaction from numerous specialists and students both within and outside the Kingdom of Morocco. The live broadcasts of the Conference attracted over 21,000 viewers throughout the two-day event.
Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), participated on Monday, May 13, 2024, in the 4th International Symposium on the Spring of Social Sciences, themed “Migration and Values in the Context of Risks and Uncertainties: Contribution of Social Sciences”, organized by the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences at Mohammed V University, Al Akhawayn University, the Council of the Moroccan Community Living Abroad, and Ibn Khaldun Center for Migration and Citizenship Studies. The event witnesses a high-level presence of officials, prominent figures, and specialized researchers.
During the opening session of the three-day symposium, being held at the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences, Mohammed V University, in Rabat, Dr. Benarafa delivered ICESCO’s speech in which he touched on the phenomenon of immigration and its significant role in value changes and the promotion of cultural interaction between different ethnicities, thus contributing to civilizational building to reflect such cultural and value-based interaction.
ICESCO Deputy DG pointed out to the “International Day of Mercy” initiative, issued within the recommendations of ICESCO’s International Conference on the “Civilizational Values in the Prophet’s Seerah,”. The initiative had been approved by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in March 2022, and submitted to the United Nations General Assembly to proclaim April 21st of every year as the World Day of Mercy.
He also highlighted the cooperation and partnership agreement signed by ICESCO and the International Organization for Migration to implement a set of programs, projects and activities in migrant-related areas. The agreement also aims to raise awareness of the content of international conventions for safe and regular migration with to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Second ICESCO Ministerial Conference on the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) kicked off today, Monday, May 13, 2024. The Conference is organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in collaboration with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), in Baku, Azerbaijan. It aims to discuss the results of the 2022 PISA program, exchange experiences and best practices, and address challenges in the field, with the participation of over 40 representatives from relevant educational bodies in ICESCO Member States.
At the outset of the Conference, which is being held both in-person and via video conferencing over two days, Mr. Emin Amrullayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Education and Science, delivered a welcoming speech emphasizing the importance of the Conference’s topic in advancing educational systems and formulating effective policies, highlighting Azerbaijan’s efforts in enhancing the quality of education to align with international assessments.
In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, reaffirmed that the Conference is a testament to the Organization’s steadfast commitment to supporting progress and excellence in educational fields in its Member States, and leading joint action to achieve the fourth goal of sustainable development (SDG 4), which aims to ensure an inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik noted that the PISA program, which aims at assessing students’ competencies in various fields including reading, writing, mathematics, and science, saw the participation of 81 countries in 2022, including 10 ICESCO Member States, and its results showed a significant decline in student performance, necessitating intensified efforts by decision-makers and specialized educational authorities.
In the context of emphasizing the role of educational system development in the prosperity and economic advancement of societies, Dr. Al Malik outlined ICESCO’s proposed solutions to the decline in students’ performance according to PISA assessments. The list of proposals starts with raising awareness of the Program’s importance in the Islamic world and establishing a strong network of educational assessment experts in the Member States to meaningfully participate in the Program’s development. He also highlighted the Organization’s keenness to prioritize the proposals and recommendations emanating from participants in the Conference.
For his part, Mr. Andreas Schleicher, Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills at OECD, touched upon the importance of teacher training and enhancing their skills, anchoring collaboration with parents and guardians in the learning process, and improving teaching quality in schools.
In the session dedicated to the skills of the future, Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of ICESCO’s Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, highlighted that the world is experiencing a massive demographic surge that requires the deployment of foresight, modern technologies, and artificial intelligence in educational and scientific fields.
Meanwhile, Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Head of the Education Sector at ICESCO, highlighted the Organization’s efforts to contribute to building a better future through advancing education in the Islamic world.
The Conference’s working sessions addressed the results of the 2022 PISA program, discussed the future of the performance and skills of students in the assessments, and examined the development of teacher competence and educational practices.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) marks its participation at the 29th International Book and Publishing Fair in Rabat by organizing more than 60 diverse cultural activities in its pavilion. The Fair was inaugurated by Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, Head of the Government, on Thursday 9 May, and will continue until 19 May 2024, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May Allah protect him, as well as the auspices of the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication.
Dr. Abdelillah Benarafa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, attended the opening ceremony, along with a delegation of heads of sectors, departments, and centers at ICESCO. This year’s fair will see the participation of 743 exhibitors from 48 countries with more than 100,000 book titles on different topics and 241 activities covering several topics related to unveiling heritage, foresighting the future, diverse Africa and media and technology.
ICESCO’s pavilion at the Fair will host diverse cultural discussions on current cultural and intellectual issues and readings of recent publications delivered by prominent thinkers, intellectuals, writers, and poets from the Organization’s Member and non-Member states. The pavilion will also convene several prize-winning activities and competitions for children.
Moreover, the pavilion will feature several books and studies published by ICESCO on education, science, culture, media, communication, and humanities, as well as brochures, booklets and video wall displays on the Organization’s key initiatives, programs, and projects.
ICESCO’s pavilion will host heads of sectors, departments, specialized centers and experts, as well as several officials from its scientific chairs at Ibn Tofail University and Euro Mediterranean University, to discuss the most salient issues in education, science and culture.
