Category: News

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.

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 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.

On the 7th of April of each year, World Health Day is celebrated to raise awareness about various health issues and mobilize efforts to improve healthcare. This year’s theme “My Health, My Right” highlights that access to comprehensive and equitable healthcare is a fundamental right for all.

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) sees that celebrating World Health Day is an opportunity to highlight the steps taken in the health field at both regional and international levels, to build a better future for future generations. The Organization calls for the need to utilize the capacities of youth and women in developing and consolidating comprehensive healthcare systems.

On this occasion, ICESCO reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the development of healthcare infrastructure, enhancing scientific research in the field, and finding innovative solutions to address urgent health challenges in Islamic countries. This is to contribute to disease prevention and achieve health equity through initiatives, programs, and projects that employ the latest science and technology.

In this context, ICESCO is actively pursuing the establishment of strategic partnerships to contribute to enhancing healthcare systems in its Member States. The Organization recently signed an agreement with the World Health Organization on March 26, 2024, to collaborate in areas such as strengthening healthcare systems, building the capacity of healthcare professionals, promoting the adoption of digital technologies, and facilitating the exchange of experiences and knowledge. These efforts aim to support Islamic countries in their preparedness and resilience against natural disasters and other threats to public health. Moreover, ICESCO launched several programs aimed at improving water resource management, including the ICESCO program to improve the quality of water and sanitation services in rural schools in several countries of the Islamic world.

Each year on April 6, the world celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. This year, it is celebrated under the theme “Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies”, to shed light on the role of sports and physical activity in consolidating the values of coexistence among communities worldwide.

On this occasion, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) reiterates its commitment to enhancing the role of sports. Seeing sports as a catalyst for social integration, development, and the consolidation of values of coexistence and peace, ICESCO calls on the international community to join efforts in utilizing sports to build inclusive communities capable of withstanding crises.

Recognizing the influential role of sports in promoting dialogue, creativity, and international cooperation, ICESCO has launched the Sports for Social Change initiative, as well as the Sports Diplomacy Program and International Youth Volunteers in Sport Program. Additionally, it organized the first ICESCO forum on Women in Sports to discuss the importance of augmenting women’s participation in sports and inspiring girls to become leaders in this field.

In the last two editions of the ICESCO Marathon in Rabat, over a thousand runners of all ages, including people with special needs, participated to emphasize the significance of investing in sports to improve physical and mental health and achieve prosperity in the Islamic world.

ICESCO’s football program for rehabilitating street children seeks to tackle social inequality and uphold children’s rights by utilizing sports to combat violence and create safe environments for street children.