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    ICESCO Organizes Strategic Workshop on Developing Sustainable Cultural and Creative Economies

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a strategic workshop on “Sustainable and Innovative Cultural and Creative Economies (EDICC)” at its headquarters in Rabat, on Thursday, 22 May 2025. The event was part of the activities of ICESCO’s Center for Inclusive Policy within the Culture Sector and brought together a distinguished group of experts and stakeholders from the fields of culture, economy, education, and relevant institutions. The workshop aimed to explore prospects for developing innovative development models based on cultural diversity and creativity.

    In his opening remarks, Dr. Mohamed Zinelabidine, Head of the Culture Sector at ICESCO, emphasized the need to rethink cultural policies and traditional economic models in light of rapid digital, environmental, and technological transformations. He stressed the importance of integrating the concepts of the “purple” and “orange” economies into public policy, given the critical role that advanced cultural industries play in supporting economic and social development.

    Dr. Rim Jellouli, ICESCO external expert in cultural policy and sustainable development, delivered an in-depth analytical presentation on sustainable and innovative cultural and creative economies. She called for the adoption of assessment tools based on precise quantitative and qualitative indicators to guide cultural policy in a more effective and sustainable direction. She also highlighted ICESCO’s efforts in this domain, including the development of specialized metrics such as “ICESCO’s Index for New Cultural Economies” and “ICESCO’s Index for Cultural and Creative Technologies.”

    Ms. Zineb Bougrine, ICESCO expert in cultural and creative industries and facilitator of the workshop, discussed the concept of “colors of the economy” and their link to the circular economy, artistic creativity, and technological advancement. She emphasized that digital culture has become a foundational pillar in responding to the demands of the modern era and improving cultural accessibility.

    The workshop concluded with a series of recommendations underscoring the need to recognize the economic value of cultural diversity, develop mechanisms for measuring cultural performance, and enhance regional cooperation among cultural markets in Member States. These efforts aim to establish creative industries as a fundamental component of the economies of the future.

    ICESCO Convenes Second High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Transforming Education Across Member States

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) convened its Second High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Education in its Member States in London, United Kingdom, under the theme “Transforming Education for Sustainable Development and Knowledge Economies.” The Dialogue aimed to facilitate the exchange of perspectives and experiences concerning the opportunities and challenges of educational transformation, and to explore avenues for strengthening international partnerships in this context.

    In his opening remarks on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, underscored the importance of harnessing rapid technological advancements—particularly in artificial intelligence and digital learning—to create new pathways for innovation, connectivity, and inclusive access to education. He emphasized that global disruptions have exposed the pitfalls in education systems and highlighted the urgent need to build more resilient and adaptive structures.

    Furthermore, Dr. AlMalik noted that in recent years, ICESCO has worked on developing a robust network of active international partnerships to implement hundreds of projects and programs benefiting thousands of students, teachers, and experts. These initiatives have focused on empowering youth and women by equipping them with digital skills and essential knowledge in economics and entrepreneurship. He added that this ministerial gathering positions Member States to play a pivotal role in contributing comprehensive and diverse solutions to the global education agenda.

    Following his remarks, Dr. Hady Jatou Sey, Head of the Education Sector at ICESCO, delivered a statement emphasizing the significance of this meeting as a key step toward educational transformation across the Islamic world. She also noted that the Dialogue would address mechanisms for implementing the outcomes of last year’s ICESCO Conference of Education Ministers, held in the Sultanate of Oman.

    The proceedings included a series of brainstorming sessions focused on the challenges and opportunities in transforming education systems, best practices for knowledge exchange among countries, strategies for integrating social and cultural values into curricula, and effective mechanisms to empower Member States through enhanced public-private partnerships.

    In his closing remarks, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO’s commitment to supporting its Member States in their efforts to reform and advance education and to helping them achieve their goals through innovative programs and initiatives.

    ICESCO Explores Cooperation with Commonwealth in Education, Science, and Culture

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), held a meeting with Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on the sidelines of the 21st edition of the Education World Forum (EWF), which took place in London from 19 to 22 May 2025.

    The meeting, held at the Commonwealth’s headquarters in Marlborough House, London, featured in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation between the two organizations, especially in light of the new strategic directions recently adopted by the Commonwealth Secretariat. These include achieving sustainable development and social justice, with particular emphasis on health and education.

    During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik outlined ICESCO’s vision and its strategic orientation as an innovative and forward-looking organization, highlighting the international recognition it has received in this regard. He emphasized the importance of identifying areas of synergy and complementarity between the two entities to maximize impact in states that are members of both organizations. He also expressed ICESCO’s readiness to collaborate with the Commonwealth on matters of shared interest, particularly in the fields of culture, education, science, and peacebuilding.

    For his part, Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo conveyed the greetings of Ms. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, to Dr. AlMalik. He noted his familiarity with ICESCO’s activities and praised the Organization’s efforts, pointing to the many intersections in their programs and priorities. He also presented the main pillars of the Commonwealth’s recently adopted strategy, which focuses on democracy and governance, sustainable development, climate action, and support for small and vulnerable states.

    Dr. AlMalik proposed launching two joint education projects as a starting point for bilateral cooperation, with results to be presented at the upcoming Conference of Education Ministers in the Islamic World. Both parties would contribute to the funding and oversight of these projects.

    At the close of the meeting, both sides agreed to organize reciprocal visits between ICESCO and the Commonwealth and to sign a cooperation agreement for the implementation of joint programs—underscoring their shared commitment to strengthening international partnerships and advancing sustainable development in the face of global challenges.

    It is worth noting that the Commonwealth is a voluntary international association headquartered in London, comprising 56 member states that collaborate based on shared values such as democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and sustainable development. The organization runs specialized programs in areas including education, youth empowerment, development, women’s advancement, and cultural exchange.

    ICESCO Holds International Conference on Arabic Language and Manuscript Heritage in Fez

    On May 21–22, 2025, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held the International Conference, “The Arabic Language and its Manuscript Heritage: Historical Relationship and Key Testimonies,” in Fez, Kingdom of Morocco, in cooperation with the National Network for Reading and Culture in Morocco and Dar al-Makhtutat (House of Manuscripts) at the Sultan Ahmet Foundation in the Republic of Türkiye. The Conference brought together a host of Arabic and manuscript experts to discuss the role of manuscripts in documenting Islamic knowledge, and the future of manuscript and Arabic language studies.

    The two-day conference was marked by rich panels and academic discussions attended by experts and researchers from Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Qatar, Mauritania, and Mali. The Conference concluded its proceedings by issuing a set of recommendations, notably emphasizing the need to preserve the manuscript knowledge heritage, calling on cultural institutions to cooperate in order to introduce various age groups at different educational levels to the sciences of Arabic manuscripts, and stressing the need for scientific programs focusing on manuscripts. Participants also recommended the use of the latest technological tools and artificial intelligence applications in a bid to promote the status of the Arabic language and its manuscript heritage.

    The Conference opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a general overview presented by Dr. Idham Hanash, Director of ICESCO’s Calligraphy and Manuscript Center, in which he explained the Conference’s context, objectives, and themes. Afterwards, Dr. Majdi Hajj Ibrahim, Head of ICESCO’s Arabic Center for Non-Arabic Speakers, read out an address on behalf of Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, who stressed that Arabic is not only a tool of speech or a medium of communication, but also a carrier of messages, a vessel of culture, and a repository of extended civilizational memory—highlighting that its manuscript heritage is one of its deepest manifestations and a living medium for the transfer of science, literature, and human knowledge.

    At the close of the address, Dr. AlMalik called on the participants to explore the future of the Arabic language and its manuscript heritage through a vision inspired by technology, aiming to protect both the language and its manuscripts.

    Speaking next, Dr. Fatiha Abdellah, President of the National Reading and Culture Network, stressed the need to accord due attention to the national manuscript depository, especially in the city of Fez, given the invaluable manuscripts the city houses. She called on researchers to dedicate their work to studying, authenticating, indexing, and cataloguing these key documents.

    For his part, Dr. Mahmoud Masri, Director-General of Dar al-Makhtutat at the Sultan Ahmet Foundation, praised the topic of the conference and its comprehensive vision that brings together three essential elements. He further explained that language is a tool for thinking and knowledge production, which in turn becomes a heritage preserved in manuscripts. The opening session concluded with a tribute to the scholar Dr. Ahmed Chouqui Binebine, Director of the Royal Hassania Library at the Royal Palace in Rabat, in recognition of his efforts to serve manuscripts and enrich the Arab library.

    Taking part in the Conference sessions and proceedings were Dr. Adham Hamawiya, Expert at ICESCO’s Arabic Center for Non-Arabic Speakers; experts Dr. Ahmed Abdel Basset and Dr. Dr. Mohameden Ahmedou from ICESCO’s Calligraphy and Manuscript Center; and Dr. Hani Al-Balawi, Expert at the ICESCO Center for Civilizational Dialogue.

    ICESCO Director-General Visits Islamic Cultural Centre in London

    On Thursday, 22 May 2025, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited the headquarters of the Islamic Cultural Centre in the British capital, London. He was received by Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubayan, Director-General of the Centre. The two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the coming period through the organization of international conferences, seminars, and training workshops in areas of shared interest, particularly in promoting civilizational dialogue and combating extremist ideology.

    During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik expressed his satisfaction with the existing cooperation between ICESCO and the Centre, as reflected in their joint participation in many activities, initiatives, and conferences. He also expressed his ambition to further strengthen and expand future cooperation.

    For his part, Dr. Al-Dubayan commended ICESCO’s efforts in highlighting the civilizational aspects of the Prophet’s Seerah, conveying the true image of moderate Islam to the world, and promoting the values of civilizational dialogue. He affirmed the Centre’s keenness to cooperate with the Organization in this area.

    Following the meeting, Dr. AlMalik, accompanied by Dr. Al-Dubayan, toured the various wings and departments of the Centre, where the ICESCO Director-General was briefed on the Centre’s most notable programs and initiatives.

    It is worth noting that the Islamic Cultural Centre in London is one of the oldest Islamic centres in Europe. It plays a major role in introducing the values and culture of the Islamic world and promoting the Arabic language and dialogue between communities.

    ICESCO Expert Faizah Alaoui Nominated to UNESCO’s Advisory Board for the Global Education Monitoring Report

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is proud to announce that Ms. Faizah Alaoui, Expert at the Organization’s Education Sector, has been appointed as a member of the Advisory Board for the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEMR). This flagship initiative by UNESCO monitors progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on quality education.

    Ms. Alaoui will represent ICESCO at the 10th Annual Meeting of the GEMR Advisory Board, to be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 10–11 June 2025.

    This appointment reflects ICESCO’s growing influence in shaping global education policy and its commitment to ensuring that the voice and priorities of the Islamic world are effectively represented in the international arena. It also reaffirms the Organization’s active engagement in the global dialogue on education.

    ICESCO Deputy Director-General, Yemen’s Deputy Foreign Minister Explore Ways to Enhance Cooperation

    On Tuesday, 20 May 2025, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Mansour Bajash, Yemen’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, at the Organization’s headquarters in Rabat. The meeting was attended by Mr. M. Azzedine Al-Asbahi, Ambassador of Yemen to the Kingdom of Morocco; Ambassador Khalid Fathalrahman, Head of ICESCO’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue; and Mr. Anar Karimov, Head of the Partnerships and International Cooperation Sector at ICESCO.

    During the meeting, Dr. Benarafa reviewed the nature of ICESCO’s work and its areas of partnership with the Republic of Yemen, highlighting the programs and projects implemented in the country, as well as the Organization’s efforts to dispatch experts to monitor and document violations and damage sustained by educational and cultural institutions and historical sites.

    For his part, Dr. Bajash expressed his appreciation for the efforts of ICESCO, represented by Director-General Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, affirming the importance of the support provided to Yemen in the fields of education, preservation of culture, and heritage protection. He called for continued coordination and cooperation with experts and specialists.

    The meeting concluded with a tour led by Dr. Benarafa, during which he accompanied Dr. Bajash and his delegation to the International Exhibition and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, housed at ICESCO headquarters.

    ICESCO Director-General, Syrian Minister of Education Discuss Ways to Support Education in Syria

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Dr. Mohammed Abdulrahman Turko, Syrian Minister of Education, on the sidelines of the 21st edition of the Education World Forum (EWF), held in London, United Kingdom, from May 19 to 22, 2025.

    The meeting delved into avenues for supporting the education sector in Syria and explored several proposed initiatives designed to enhance the quality of education and respond to the escalating demands imposed by the country’s complex and evolving challenges.

    During the meeting, Dr. AlMalik reviewed ICESCO’s programs and initiatives within its fields of competence, highlighting the Organization’s new vision rooted in openness and international cooperation, as well as its development strategy aimed at capacity building and fostering innovation in its Member States, including Syria. He also expressed his delight at Syria’s reinstated membership in the Organization.

    Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to providing comprehensive support for education in Syria. This includes curriculum development, teacher training, modern technology transfer, as well as mobilizing resources in support of educational institutions, promoting the use of advanced technologies, and assisting in the training of Syrian educational personnel.

    For his part, Minister Turko emphasized that schools are a fundamental pillar of societal reconstruction. He stressed the importance of Syria’s engagement with international educational organizations and expressed his country’s contentment with rejoining ICESCO, especially given the Organization’s prominent international standing and leading role in its fields of action. He conveyed Syria’s eagerness to benefit from ICESCO’s expertise to strengthen and rehabilitate the Syrian educational system.

    He also revealed alarming statistics concerning the country’s current educational situation: approximately 4.2 million students are enrolled in schools across Syria, while an estimated 2.4 million remain out of school. Furthermore, 8,000 schools are either completely or partially destroyed, with only 103 having been restored so far.

    The Minister addressed the key challenges facing the Ministry, particularly the severe shortage of school resources and the expected pressure due to the return of refugees from abroad. He also noted that many returning students, especially from Turkey, received their education in Turkish, necessitating specialized programs to linguistically requalify and integrate them into the Syrian educational system. He affirmed Syria’s willingness to cooperate with ICESCO and benefit from its capabilities and programs to overcome the crises affecting the country’s education system.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties stressed the need to resume joint efforts. Minister Turko extended an invitation to Dr. Salim AlMalik to visit Syria. Dr. AlMalik, in turn, confirmed the initiation of a plan to form an ICESCO delegation under his leadership to visit Syria at the earliest opportunity in order to assess educational and cultural needs on the ground and explore mechanisms for providing effective support.

    ICESCO, British Council Discuss Prospects for Cooperation in Technical and Vocational Education and Training

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), met with Mr. Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council, to discuss prospects for cooperation between the two parties in developing technical and vocational education and training, implementing advanced training programs for Palestinian students, and expanding the refugee program targeting girls’ education to include conflict-affected countries.

    During the meeting, held on Monday, 20 May 2025, in London on the sidelines of the 21st session of the Education World Forum (EWF), both sides expressed their aspiration to build a strategic partnership through the implementation of a wide range of innovative programs and initiatives in the educational field for the benefit of ICESCO Member States.

    Dr. AlMalik invited Mr. McDonald to visit ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat to gain a closer understanding of the Organization’s working mechanisms and its most prominent initiatives and programs across Islamic world countries, and to explore the possibility of jointly implementing several of these key activities.

    In attendance from ICESCO were Ms. Haddy Jatou Sey, Head of the Education Sector, along with sector experts Ms. Faizah Alaoui and Mr. Waqas Afridi. Representing the British Council were Ms. Maddalaine Ansell, Director of Education, and Ms. Alexandra Balafrej, the Council’s representative in Morocco.

    ICESCO Launches Université des Nouveaux Savoirs Seminar Series to Train Youth in Morocco

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in partnership with HEM Business & Engineering School in Morocco, and in collaboration with the Institut Français in Morocco and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, launched the Université des Nouveaux Savoirs seminar series. The initiative offers free lectures on key themes including solidarity economy, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, design, urban space, and architecture.

    Running for a full month across four Moroccan universities, the series forms part of ICESCO’s “Skills and Jobs of Tomorrow” program, which seeks to expand access to knowledge, improve the quality of education, and promote equal opportunities in learning.

    Speaking at the launch event on 19 May 2025, Dr. Omar Halli, Advisor to ICESCO Director-General for the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), reviewed the Organization’s efforts, through FUIW, to strengthen cooperation, foster knowledge exchange, and advance scientific research among universities in the Islamic world. Dr. Halli underscored the importance of this initiative in preparing youth to enter the labour market and enhancing their skills.

    For his part, Dr. Kaïs Hammami, Head of the Center for Foresight and Artificial Intelligence, outlined the goals of the seminar series, notably to help youth meet future challenges and seize new opportunities, while providing open platforms that nurture knowledge among future generations. He emphasized the vital role of foresight thinking in driving positive change.

    The seminar sessions will be led by international experts, specialists, and university faculty, and will be hosted by Mohammed V University in Rabat, Hassan I University in Settat, Hassan II University in Casablanca, and Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra.