Today in Paris, the 40th UNESCO General Conference kicked off with the participation of a high-level delegation of the Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), headed by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ISESCO Director General.
Dr. AlMalik’s visit agenda features a number of important activities and events. In this regard, Dr. AlMalik will deliver an address reviewing ISESCO’s new vision and ways to develop cooperation between the two organizations in joint action fields.
In this vein, ISESCO Director General will also hold several bilateral meetings with UNESCO Member States’ heads of delegations, and chiefs of regional and international organizations involved in the fields of education, culture, science, and communication.
During a special celebration, ISESCO will reopen its Bureau at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, and the two organizations will sign a cooperation agreement.
It is worth noting that the 40th UNESCO General Conference kicked off with the participation of representatives of UNESCO’s 193 Member States, along with 10 Associate Members, and high-level international leaders, headed by the UN Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres. According to UNESCO, this year’s conference will serve as a laboratory of ideas for new multilateral approaches to the gamut of pressing issues ranging from higher education to artificial intelligence.
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) reviews its efforts in supporting youth development initiatives during its participation with a working paper in Misk Global Forum, held in Riyadh on 12-14 November 2019.
For the record, the fourth edition of Misk Global Forum, under the theme “Work, Reworked”, aims to explore the new trends and current transformations in the world of work, with the participation of nearly five thousand people representing over 120 countries around the world.
The Forum expects the participation of over 140 leading figures. This event is held by the Centre of Initiatives at Mohammad bin Salman Charity Institution “Misk Foundation” over three days, which include various activities on developing the new practices in the world of work, empowering youth with the necessary knowledge and skills to take the decisions necessary for confronting the challenge of change in a new era of work, and anticipating the future of business and its impacts on the economy.
Moreover, the Forum seeks to explore, develop and empower young people to become active participants in the future economy, establish an international youth platform for exchanging knowledge and closely sharing their successful experiences so as to attain the results, recommendations and initiatives likely to develop young people’s capacities.
ISESCO is represented in this Forum by Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Director of External Affairs and Cooperation in ISESCO, who will explore along with the officials of Misk Foundation the prospects of cooperation in the coming years.
ISESCO Director General: We have a chance to redress paths of education to achieve sustainable development
ISESCO new vision aims to build a civilizational system and empower young people, women and children
The Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, warned that two thirds of world children do not have access to pre-school education. He added that illiteracy rate in the Arab world for the age range of fifteen years and above is still high (21%); around three million Arab children do not have access to schools; and female illiteracy rates are double the figures of males.
“We now have a chance to redress the situation, and forestall the shortcomings, a chance we must not miss for the sake of ourselves and our peoples”, Dr. AlMalik, stated in his address at the 11th Conference of Arab Minsters of Education, which concludes its proceedings today in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain. He further explained that redressing the educational situation falls within efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 –Education 2030, whose Target 4.1 states that “by 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes”.
Likewise, the Director General maintained that if Target 4.7 stresses the importance of “ensuring that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development”, one wonders about the position of the Arab world on the world map of knowledge production, capacity building and creative industries, at a time of rising numbers of patents in the field of artificial intelligence at the world level, which increased by a 1000% rate over the period between 1991 and 2015, with 62% thereof dominated by three countries: Japan, South Korea and the USA.
Being aware of the scale, nature and direct repercussions of the current challenges on the development of our countries, ISESCO Director General stressed that ISESCO has moved during this year toward a new phase of development and rebuilding based on an innovative vision through which ISESCO aspires to become an international shining beacon in education, science, culture and communication.
Dr. AlMalik added: “we will, Allah willing, work in the coming period, supported by Member States, to implement two major general orientations: building a smart, innovative and civilizational system for the Islamic world, and empowering youth, women and children to enjoy their educational, scientific, cultural, technological and environmental rights. ISESCO will also develop adequate support mechanisms for Member States in its coming action plans.”
Moreover, ISESCO Director General made it clear that ISESCO’s new vision and strategic orientations to be proposed to ISESCO Executive Council, which is mandated by the Third Extraordinary General Conference to convene with the powers of the General Conference, in the State of United Arab Emirates on 29-30 January 2020, so as to advance the Organization to join the ranks of major international organizations.
At the close of his address, Dr. AlMalik highlighted that ISESCO, similarly to other regional and international organizations, depends in the budgets of its annual action plans and programmes on the financial contributions of Member States. “The decrease of contributions negatively and directly influences ISESCO’s performance, reduces its capacity to implement its plans, and curbs its aspiration to launch major projects to serve sustainable development plans in Member States”, the Director General asserted, while hoping that Their Excellencies Ministers and Heads of Delegation of the participating countries in the Conference will urge Member States to boost their support to ISESCO’s budget and pay their financial obligations to the Organization for both the current financial year and the arrears of the past years.
It is worth mentioning that the 11th Conference of Arab Ministers of Education, held under the theme “Role of educational policies in achieving SDG 4 – Education 2030”, is organized as part of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Celebration of its Education Centennial.
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) extends its sincere congratulations to the Kingdom of Bahrain for the astounding success of the “Celebration of Education Centennial”, held today evening, in Manama, to mark 100th anniversary of formal education in the country, with the presence of His Majesty King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain. On this occasion, ISESCO extends its congratulations to His Majesty for this success and to Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi, Bahraini Minister of Education, for the good organization of the event.
The celebration was attended by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ISESCO Director General, who commended the approach adopted by the Ministry of Education of Bahrain, calling on Muslim countries to follow the Kingdom’s steps in designating a day to be overseen by the ministries of education, to honor students, teachers and educational professionals, in the presence of state leaders including presidents and kings in order to highlight the great value of education in all societies.
The Celebration of Education Centennial saw the special participation of the delegations of most Arab countries, as well as representatives of regional and international organizations interested in the field of education. The celebration was held only hours prior to the opening of the 11th Conference of Arab Ministers of Education, convened in Manama, under the theme “Role of educational policies in achieving SDG 4 – Education 2030”.
Under the theme “Constructive and purposeful linking of academic sciences and industrial applications for building a society of convergent technologies”, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) participates in the Regional Forum hosted by Kuwait on 12-14 November 2019.
The Forum aims to examine the mechanisms on addressing the various challenges that face academic sciences and industrial applications, meet the growing need for new technologies and innovations by reducing the gap between academic and industrial parties, laying knowledge foundations for linkage and convergence between scientific research and industry, proper management of knowledge resources, scientific management of connection between scientific research and industry, and beneficial cooperation for all parties.
The Forum brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, researchers, officials of technology transfer and marketing in academic institutions, officials of technology incubators and science and technology parks, officials of research and development in industrial institutions and industry ministries, alongside with policy- and decision-makers in investment institutions, banks and ministries concerned from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and the hosting country.
ISESCO is represented in this event by Dr. Ali Errahal, Expert at ISESCO Regional Office in Sharjah.
Yesterday, 04 November 2019, in Melaka, Malaysia, the regional workshop on “Using most efficient educational methods in teaching Arabic language for non-Arabic speakers in Southeast Asian countries” kicked off. It is being held by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), in cooperation with the Malaysian Ministry of Education and Granada Editions.
The 5-day workshop, supervised by ISESCO Educational Centre in Malaysia, benefits 58 participants, including teachers and educational counsellors from the Malaysian Ministry of Education, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.
The opening session was attended by the representative of the Malaysian Ministry of Education and a number of senior officials of the Department of Islamic Education in Melaka State, Malaysia.
ISESCO is represented in this workshop by Dr. Abdul Razif Zaini, Director of ISESCO Educational Centre in Malaysia.
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), explored with His Highness Prince Faisal Bin Farhan, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, the cooperation ties between the Organization and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. AlMalik also reviewed ISESCO’s activities and future programmes within the framework of the new strategic vision, which makes of ISESCO a source of civilizational influence in the Islamic world as well as the rest of the world.
This was part of today meeting of the Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs with ISESCO Director General, who congratulated the Minister on the trust of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, and his new position.
The meeting further highlighted the great interest and considerable support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the efforts of ISESCO in the fields of education, science and culture.
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) is taking part in the 14th International Conference & Exhibition on ICT for Education, Training & Skills Development—E-Learning Africa, being held under the theme “The Keys to the Future: Learnability and Employability”, in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, on 23-25 October 2019.
This conference is one the key international thematic events that address the role of technology in supporting learning, training and skills development. It also bring together experts, academicians, professionals, investors and people interested in the future of education in Africa.
The event’s programme features holding core dialogues, discovery demos, expertise exchange sessions, knowledge factories, panel discussions, and plenary sessions. It also includes holding high-level ministerial roundtables for African ministers of education, training and ICT.
This is not the first time ISESCO participates in this event; the Organization had taken part and co-held previous editions of e-Learning Africa. In this edition, ISESCO gave a presentation in one of the plenary sessions on ISESCO’s Project on “Educational Technology in Service of Alternative Teaching and Learning Patterns”, entitled “ICT and Leadership for Teachers’ Professional Growth: ISESCO’s Initiatives”. The presentation aimed to highlight the strategic orientations of ISESCO’s new vision regarding the use of ICT in service of education, and its role in teachers’ professional growth.
ISESCO is represented in this conference by Mr. Aziz Elhajir, Programme Specialist at the Directorate of Education.
The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) published the Issue No. 1 of ‘ISESCO Journal’, a refereed academic periodical in Arabic, English and French.
This issue includes the following articles: “Religion, renaissance and middle stance” by Dr. Fahmi Jadaan; “Al-Quds Al-Sharif: View from wider perspectives” by Dr. Mohammed Amara; “Hate speech in pluralist societies” by Dr. Mohammad As-Sammak; “Inter-civilizational dialogue: Classification approach and foundational propositions” by Dr. Ahmed Abbadi; and “Education and civilization in Muslim societies” by Dr. Khalid Aazeb.
The Journal, published from 1983 until 2018 under the name ‘Islam Today’ in ISESCO’s three working languages, republished a chapter entitled “Views on Modern Civilization” from the book “the Orient and the Occident” by Dr. Ahmed Amine.
This issue also features the full text of “Makkah Charter” issued by the “Conference of Makkah Charter”, convened last Ramadan in Makkah Al-Mukarramah, prefaced by ISESCO Director General and translated into English and French.
The Op-Ed, entitled ‘New Vision’, was written by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ISESCO Director General, explaining in details the philosophy and dimensions of ISESCO’s new vision. Dr. AlMalik made it clear that: “the New Vision is based on a strategy that fits the nature of the current stage, the purpose of the mission and the specificity of the work to be undertaken, in order to achieve interim goals that serve the overall philosophy underlying the tasks assumed by those in charge of the implementation of this strategy. Today, the requirements of civilization include the adoption of a scientific planning approach, use of prospective thinking, drawing on field statistics and specialized studies and functional research to join the society of knowledge and achieve the objectives that meet the vital needs of countries. Indeed, it is the right approach which, if applied in Islamic countries and adopted as a philosophy, method and standard of action, will meet the aspirations of Islamic nations for comprehensive, inclusive, balanced, integrated and sustainable development, to benefit present and future generations. It is the rational development that targets growth and progress in the present and the future, in a steadfast and upward movement with unfailing enthusiasm, determination, resolve and hope.”
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), stated that the Organization has entered into a new phase of rebuilding based on an innovative vision, a developed methodology and modern foundations in its pursuit to achieve a genuine transformation to secure its proper international position and keep up with the rapid changes and modern technologies.
His statement was part of the press conference held today at ISESCO headquarters. Dr. AlMalik started this meeting with media professionals by saying that “ISESCO was founded to become the Islamic world’s version of UNESCO. Today, we seek to become an international organization rather than a local or regional one. Besides, this aspiration is legitimate as it hinges upon a new vision which constitutes the basis of a strategy having future dimensions.”
Moreover, ISESCO Director General stressed that the Islamic world deserves having a high-standing organization, with wide impact on Muslim communities inside and outside the Islamic world, which expresses the Muslim world’s enlightened vision on contemporary issues relevant to ISESOC’s areas of competence.
Dr. AlMalik further highlighted that modernizing ISESCO both in form and content is the major objective which includes the strategic objectives of the Organization. He also explained that ISESCO’s new vision is based on three foundations: a) innovation in planning and achievement, and modernization of performance while rationalizing costs through a developed financial management; b) openness to the prospects of this era so as to be enlightened with modern humanist ideas and international expertise in education, science, innovation, culture, communication and creativity by establishing “ISESCO International Consultative Body”; c) transformation of ISESCO from an organization with limited resources into an organization which produces resources through the establishment of the Waqf Fund on modern bases to ensure its security and continuity in times of crises likely to drain its resources.
ISESCO Director General also said “Our vision aims to turn ISESCO into an international beacon in the fields of civilizational building and knowledge progress, and make of its conferences, meetings and workshops occasions to present new initiatives and useful innovative ideas.”
Besides, Dr. AlMalik stated “we are working to make ISESCO an organization of competencies and a leadership and creativity center, which coordinates the efforts seeking to develop policies and educational systems in Member States, and improve the performance and outputs of these systems.”
He further added that ISESCO should have a purposeful and innovative information mission, an effective communication strategy to defend and promote the status of Arabic language at the Islamic and international levels through the programmes of teaching Arabic language to non-Arabic speakers, support the programmes of writing the languages of Muslim peoples in Arabic script, and become open to the Muslim peoples regardless of the geographical borders.
Dr. AlMalik also underscored that the mission of ISESCO is to develop key leaderships, set developmental policies in its areas of competence, develop knowledge and innovative systems, and provide technical expertise and advice and institutional support through openness to its environment and the world at large.
In conclusion, Dr. AlMalik tackled the nature of the relationship that should be established between ISESCO and media outlets as he commended the role of media professionals and asked to support and develop their role in a consistent way with ISESCO’s new vision.
Afterwards, ISESCO Director General received and responded to the remarks and questions of the various media outlets’ representatives. He also lauded the suggestions made in some remarks and promised to examine and adopt them in line with the new vision of ISESCO while calling for further communication between the organization and media professionals.
