On Thursday, 26 October 2023, the training workshop on digital entrepreneurship, “Reality of Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment of Women and Girls in Remote and Rural Areas”, concluded its proceedings, in Sebha, State of Libya. The workshop was held by the Center of Strategic Foresight at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the Libyan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture and Sebha University.
In an address delivered on his behalf at the outset of the workshop, held at the Language Centre of Sebha University, Dr. Musa Almaghrif, Libyan Minister of Education, President of the Libyan National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, commended the partnership between the Commission, ICESCO and Sebha University, expressing his aspirations to implement a set of educational and cultural activities and conduct specialized studies and research works.
The three-day workshop aimed at helping institutions, decision-makers, local government structures and individuals develop their capacities in entrepreneurship, especially in remote and rural areas, thus contributing to promoting equality and human rights, attaining Sustainable Development Goals on decent work and economic growth, in addition to raising awareness of the role of entrepreneurship in improving socio-economic situations of individuals and groups and developing solutions to support and fund promising projects, especially digital ones.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Simon Martin, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Kingdom of Morocco, and together they explored prospects of cooperation between ICESCO and the UK in the fields of education, science and culture.
During the meeting, held Thursday, October 26, 2023, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik highlighted the Organization’s vision and strategic orientations which both adopt openness to all parties and support building partnerships for the benefit of its Member States and Muslim communities across the globe. The Director-General also shed light on ICESCO’s key programs and activities, especially in the field of youth and women’s capacity-building and training in leadership for peace and security. He added that the Organization also accords special attention to anchoring the values of coexistence and civilizational dialogue and promoting investment in the fields of technology, AI and space sciences, expressing his keenness to build fruitful partnership between the Organization and a number of British institutions active in the fields of education, science and culture.
For his part, Mr. Martin commended the roles ICESCO assumes in service of developing the fields of education, science and culture in its Member States, stating that he looks forward to building cooperation relations with the Organization.
The meeting discussed and reviewed the implementation mechanisms of a number of cooperation proposals for the upcoming period, including providing scholarships for the Islamic world youth to study in prestigious British universities, creating scientific chairs in these universities, and collaborating with British institutions to support ICESCO’s programs and projects in several countries in needs, within the Organization’s areas of competence.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Sector of Social and Human Sciences, Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Head of the Education Sector, and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Sector of Partnerships and International Cooperation.
Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik took Mr. Martin on a tour of the different pavilions and sections of the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Seerah and Islamic Civilization, currently housed at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat. At the end of the tour, the British Ambassador expressed his delight at visiting this scientific edifice, stating that it represents an encyclopedic reference for all those interested in human history.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a training on strategic foresight for decision-making in partnership with the Tunisian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports in the Republic of Tunisia, for the benefit of 100 youth and members of ICESCO’s Young Professionals Programme.
The launch of the training, held as part of ICESCO Year of Youth, in Tunis, on Friday, 20 October 2023, saw the participation of Dr. Mohamed Ali Boughdiri, Tunisian Minister of Education, President of the Tunisian National Commission; Dr. Kamal Deguiche, Tunisian Minister of Youth and Sports; Foued Aouni, General Director of Tunisia National Observatory for Youth; Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of ICESCO Centre of Strategic Foresight; Dr. Nidal Abuzuhri, ICESCO Head of Administrative Affairs and Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Head of the Legal Affairs and International Standards at the Organisation.
In his address, Dr. Hammami stated that the training will serve to determine future trends and their impact on the professions of tomorrow. At the same time, Dr. Boughdiri lauded ICESCO’s valuable services to build and strengthen youth capacities.
For his part, Dr. Daqish expressed his pleasure in holding this training, representing a collective action initiative aimed at drawing the ideas and ambitious vision of participating youth.
The two-day training comprises various activities such as scenario planning and trends, future thinking methodologies, and reality checks of some global cases to build participants’ practical skills necessary for strategic thinking and future analysis.
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) holds a regional-level workshop in Kuwait City on developing technical and vocational education (TVE) in partnership with the Kuwaiti National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, to train human resources to meet the needs of the labour market and improve employment opportunities for young people.
The two-day workshop, which kicked off on Monday, 16 October 2023, saw the participation of a host of officials, experts and specialists in the field of technical and vocational education in the State of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman and the State of Qatar.
At the outset of the workshop, Mr. Saud Al-Juwaiser, Undersecretary of the Kuwaiti Ministry of Education, reaffirmed the significance and the need for such a workshop, hoping it would contribute to developing technical education. For his part, Mr. Hussein Ali Dashti, Secretary-General of the Kuwaiti National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, lauded ICESCO’s efforts in developing educational systems and its unwavering support for its Member States. ICESCO was represented by Dr. Ahmed El Zonfoli, Program Manager in the Education Sector, who stressed the need for this workshop in line with the international trends of pitching technical and vocational training toward the labour market.
The sessions of the workshop touch on a variety of topics, including the efforts and insights of regional and international organizations, centers and institutes in education development and linkage to the labour market, the status quo of TVE in the Gulf States, the suitability of its outputs to the needs of the labour market and the international best practices and successful experiences in the field of technical education to improve youth’s employment opportunities.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, the Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Afnan Alshuaiby, the Executive Director of the Women Development Organization (WDO), and together discussed mechanisms and plans for future cooperation between the two organizations, particularly on empowering and building the capacities of girls and women, providing leadership training, and enhancing their role in peacebuilding and social cohesion.
During the meeting, held on Friday 13 October 2023, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik stressed that ICESCO, in line with its vision and strategic orientations, focuses on supporting girls and women due to its pivotal role in societal prosperity through practical programs and projects aimed at nurturing their leadership capacities, fostering innovation, and promoting gender equality in various fields.
He also pointed out that in 2021, proclaimed as ICESCO’s Year of Women, constituted an exceptional success through the implementation of numerous initiatives and programs, as well as the launch of awards for women across the Islamic World.
Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between ICESCO and WDO, which is the starting point for partnership in exchanging knowledge, expertise and the best practices to improve the protection and education of girls and women and provide them with leadership training for the promotion of peace and social cohesion.
On her part, the Executive Director of WDO commended ICESCO’s endeavors to empower women, expressing her aspiration for further collaboration with ICESCO, leveraging on the signed MoU.
Dr. Salim M. Al-Malik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Dr. Kamil Akathov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Ms. Solikul Silukizy, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Morocco, where mechanisms for developing cooperation between ICESCO and Kazakhstan in the fields of science, higher education, and scientific research development were discussed.
During the meeting, held on Wednesday (October 11, 2023), at ICESCO Headquarters, in Rabat, Dr. Al-Malik commended the distinguished relations between ICESCO and the Republic of Kazakhstan, stressing the Organization’s keenness to enhance cooperation through implementing a set of programs and projects to develop scientific research and provide scholarships for students from countries of the Islamic world to study in Kazakh universities, and encourage them to explore the horizons of space science, new technology and artificial intelligence.
He highlighted the successful organization of the first session of the International Conference on the Islamic World Scholars, jointly held by the two parties, under the theme “Al-Farabi and his contributions throughout human history,” at ICESCO Headquarters, which saw the presence of Dr. Akathov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan. For his part, Dr. Akathov praised the Conference’s sessions, which discussed the contributions of Al-Farabi and his role in developing science and philosophy for the renaissance of the Islamic world, stressing Kazakhstan’s aspiration for further cooperation with ICESCO through the establishment of scientific chairs in Kazakh universities, and the organization of conferences and seminars in the field of education and scientific research.
At the close of the meeting, the two parties agreed to continue coordination to develop cooperation between ICESCO and Kazakhstan.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, hosts the 9th Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World, on Thursday (October 19, 2023), in Jeddah, organized by the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in the presence of environment ministers of ICESCO Member States and the representatives of regional and international environment organizations to discuss avenues of strengthening joint Islamic action and addressing the effects of climate change and the environmental challenges facing Earth.
The agenda of the Conference, held under the theme, “Toward Achieving Green Transformation in the Islamic World,” features the discussion and adoption of several documents submitted by the ICESCO General Directorate, including the Executive Work Plan for Natural Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, the Draft Guidance Document on the Best Practices for Green Transformation in the Islamic World and the Draft Strategy for Smart Sustainable Cities in the Islamic World. The Conference will issue a Declaration on Environmental Matters at its close.
Furthermore, the Conference of Environment Ministers in the Islamic World will elect the Members of its Bureau and decide on the date and venue of its forthcoming session.
Prior to the Conference, the Executive Bureau for the Environment in the Islamic World will hold its Sixth Meeting, in Jeddah, on 18 October 2023, bringing together the nine Member States of the Executive Bureau and many regional and international organizations. Moreover, an exhibition will be organized on the sidelines of the Conference.
The conference also features the awards ceremony of the 3rd edition of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Award for Environmental Management in the Islamic World for 21 winners from 18 Muslim countries in these categories: Successful Research Works, Achievements and Practices, Leading Practices and Activities of Public Benefit Associations and NGOs in the Member States, Women’s leading activities in environmental action, and the Environmentally Friendly and Green Cities.
Dr. Salim AlMalik, the Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received a high-level delegation from the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. During the meeting, they explored prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and Tatarstan in the fields of culture, science, and youth capacity building.
Dr. AlMalik initiated the meeting, held at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat on Wednesday 11 October 2023, by expressing his gratitude and appreciation to the Republic of Tatarstan, His Excellency President Rustam Minnikhanov, and the officials for the warm reception he received during his recent visit to the capital, Kazan, last August.
The Tatarstan Republic delegation, including Mr. Timur Suleymanov, Timur Suleymanov, Aide to the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, and Head of All-Russian Public-State movement of children and youth in the Republic of Tatarstan “Movement of the first”, and Mrs. Irada Ayupova, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, expressed their thanks to ICESCO and its Director-General for inviting them to attend the first edition of the International Conference on Islamic World Scholars, themed “Al-Farabi and his contributions throughout human history.” The meeting delved into discussions regarding potential collaboration between ICESCO and Tatarstan, with a particular focus on youth capacity-building and skill development to align with global advancements. The Tatarstan delegation noted that a major youth festival is scheduled for March 2024 in Sochi, featuring the participation of 20,000 young individuals, half of whom are from the Russian Federation and the other half from around the world. They also underlined ICESCO’s involvement and organization of a range of activities throughout this event. Additionally, the delegation confirmed their ongoing preparations for a cultural program to coincide with Russia’s presidency of the BRICS group in 2024. Furthermore, they discussed the possibility of registering several historical sites of the Islamic civilization in the Republic of Tatarstan on ICESCO’s World Islamic Heritage lists.
At the end of the meeting, an agreement was reached to maintain coordination to formulate comprehensive implementation plans that would oversee and guide the collaborative programs and projects jointly agreed upon between ICESCO and the competent parties in the Republic of Tatarstan.
The meeting was attended by Mrs. Ramata Almamy Mbaye, Head of the Social and Human Sciences Sector, and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector, from ICESCO. Representing Tatarstan were Ms. Dilbar Sadykova, Chairwoman of the Academy of Youth Diplomacy, and Ms. Alla Kondrateva, Deputy head of All-Russian Public-State movement of children and youth in the Republic of Tatarstan “Movement of the first”.
The headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted the first edition of the International Conference on the Islamic World Scholars, under the theme: “Al-Farabi’s and contributions throughout human history,” on Wednesday 11 October 2023. The two-day Conference is organized by ICESCO in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, represented by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Rabat.
The Conference’s opening ceremony saw high-level attendance, including officials and members of the diplomatic corps, as well as a group of distinguished researchers and university professors from several countries. Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of Culture and Communication Sector at ICESCO, began the opening session with an overview of the world-renowned scholar Abu Nasr Al-Farabi, his unique contributions, and his significant role in enriching global thought and the Islamic renaissance.
In his address, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, emphasized that Al-Farabi has left an unmatched wealth of scientific knowledge in language, philosophy, and music. “He authored nearly 100 books on most of the subjects of his era, tackling the legacies of Plato and Aristotle, and faithfully translating their work into Arabic. The body of his work, thus, became the channel through which ancient and Islamic philosophies were passed on to the European Renaissance era. Even today, he is highly regarded and studied by researchers and philosophers and is often referred to as the “Second Teacher” after Aristotle,” underline Dr. AlMalik.
ICESCO Director-General highlighted that Al-Farabi’s homeland, Kazakhstan, is characterized by its ethnic and religious diversity and that it has brought up many other prominent leaders and scholars, adding that it encourages and promotes dialogue among different religions and cultures. He concluded his remarks by stressing ICESCO’s keenness to underline the pioneering role played by Islamic scholars throughout the ages as an inspiration for youth.
For his part, Dr. Abdellatif Miraoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Kingdom of Morocco, in an address delivered on his behalf by Mr. Mohamed Khalfaoui, the Ministry’s Secretary-General, highlighted that the Conference is an opportunity to showcase the role of Al-Farabi in shaping human thought, reviewing the Ministry’s efforts to encourage scientific research.
In his address, Dr. Kamil Akathov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, pointed out that the Ministry strives to highlight Al-Farabi’s scientific legacy by supporting numerous scholars in studying his contributions and research in innovation and science, considering the wealth of scientific knowledge that this great scholar left, which serves, to this today, as a reference to advance scientific research.
Following this, Dr. AlMalik, Dr. Akatov, and Ms. Saulekul Sailaukyzy, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Rabat, presented awards to the winners of the competition for the best research papers on the intellectual contributions of Al-Farabi. The first prize was jointly awarded to Dr. Zadash Dukenbayeva from Kazakhstan and Dr. Salem Ayadi from Tunisia, while the second prize was jointly awarded to Dr. Ahmed Attia from Egypt and Dr. Ahmed Saadi from Morocco. The third prize was jointly awarded to Dr. Huda Mubarak Aldayri from the Sultanate of Oman and Dr. Iqbal Maulana Alfiansyah from Indonesia, and lastly a recognition award was given to Dr. Anis Meddeb from Tunisia.
The opening session also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World, affiliated with ICESCO, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, aiming to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, science, and technology. The MoU was signed by Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General in charge of the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World, and Dr. Ainur Kurmanalieva, the Executive Director of the university.
In his address via videoconference following the signing ceremony, Dr. Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in the Republic of Kazakhstan, praised the significant legacy left by this scholar, through which he laid the foundations for inter-civilizational dialogue.
Afterward, the participants watched an introductory film on Al-Farabi and enjoyed a musical performance from the Republic of Uzbekistan. Following that, the names of the winners of the second phase of the Turathy Photography Competition in Egypt and the Islamic world were announced. The Competition, which focuses on the ” Architectural and Urban Heritage of Islamic World Cities,” and was launched by ICESCO and the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, exhibited its winning photographs at ICESCO Headquarters.
The first day of the Al-Farabi Conference continued with sessions covering “Al-Farabi and his Impact on humanist philosophy” and “Al-Farabi’s theories in the fields of the philosophy of science and political philosophy.” These sessions featured rich discussions that explored Al-Farabi’s contributions in various areas and their impact on human thought throughout the ages.
The Center of Strategic Foresight at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, have signed a partnership agreement to establish the ICESCO Chair for Innovation and the Future in Africa, at the University. The aim of this partnership is to promote scientific research, training, information exchange, and documentation in the field, as well as to encourage collaboration among experts, researchers, and university professors in South Africa.
The agreement was signed via videoconference, on Tuesday, 10 October 2023, by Dr. Kais Hammami, Director of the Center of Strategic Foresight, representing ICESCO, and Dr. Jason Cohen, Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law, and Management at the University of Witwatersrand.
During the signing ceremony, Dr. Hammami delivered an insightful overview of the Center and its mission, emphasizing the importance of utilizing foresight tools in building the future, and the pivotal role of the Chair in disseminating knowledge, promoting research, and shaping a pioneering future for Africa. For his part, Dr. Cohen expressed his delight in collaborating with ICESCO through this Chair, which strengthens the impact of foresight in the attainment of sustainable development goals.
The Chair seeks to contribute to achieving the sustainable development goals pertaining to industry, innovation, and sustainable cities. It also seeks to analyze trends in the field of foresight and innovation in Africa, and develop research programs and educational resources in this area.
