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    Category: News

    Joint Efforts to Enhance Cooperation between ICESCO and Suriname in Education, Science, and Culture

    Posted on by abdelmohcine.benhlal

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Mr. Omar Sherif Abdoelrahman, Ambassador of the Republic of Suriname to the Kingdom of Morocco, on Wednesday, 16 April 2025, at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, empowering youth through modern technologies, and promoting knowledge-sharing in natural resource management across both countries.

    Dr. AlMalik welcomed Ambassador Abdoelrahman and provided an overview of ICESCO’s fields of work and the major transformations the Organization has undergone over the past five years. These include renaming the Organization to clarify its non-proselytizing mission, expanding its global outreach, and promoting its civilizational message in service of all peoples, religions, and cultures.

    Ambassador Abdoelrahman praised ICESCO’s impactful efforts across its areas of competence and its initiatives that benefit Member States and Muslim communities around the world. He reaffirmed Suriname’s strong commitment to enhancing joint cooperation and implementing shared programs and activities that reflect the country’s rich cultural diversity.

    Discussions also explored the possibility of implementing several ICESCO programs in Suriname, similar to those conducted in other Member States. These include training youth to launch and develop small-scale technology and innovation projects, organizing workshops on green education and sustainable development, and launching initiatives focused on the knowledge economy and digital transformation.

    Both sides emphasized the importance of youth capacity-building in modern technologies, peace and security, and the need to expand knowledge among engineering graduates in the field of natural resource management. They also highlighted the importance of enhancing journalists’ skills and raising awareness of media literacy.

    The meeting concluded with an agreement to collaborate on inscribing Suriname’s heritage sites on the Islamic World Heritage List, with ICESCO offering its expertise to train Surinamese officials involved in the heritage inscription process.

    ICESCO Actively Participates in Sousse International Film Festival for Children and Youth

    Posted on by abdelmohcine.benhlal

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the 14th edition of the Sousse International Film Festival for Children and Youth (FIFEJ), held from 8 to 12 April 2025 in Sousse, Tunisia.

    ICESCO was represented at the event by Zineb Bougrine, Expert at the Culture Sector, in Charge of Youth Projects and Cultural Industries, and Manuela Nicoletti, Specialist in Cultural Diplomacy and the Film Industry at the same Sector. The two ICESCO representatives took part as speakers in a seminar held at the Higher Institute of Fine Arts of Sousse (ISBAS) on the theme of youth cinema and cultural creativity, where they held discussions with visual arts students, young filmmakers, local journalists, and civil society representatives on the prospects for developing cultural diplomacy in the Organization’s Member States and the need to strengthen international cooperation in this context.

    As part of the Festival’s activities, Ms. Nicoletti also represented the Organization as a jury member in the Student Film Competition, which showcased 15 short films made by young filmmakers under the age of 30, from several countries.

    This participation reflects ICESCO’s keenness to work closely with partners to develop cultural industries in the Islamic world, and its efforts to strengthen its cooperation relations with FIFEJ Sousse and the Tunisian Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in view of building a regional network for creativity, artistic expression and cultural diplomacy targeting young people.

    Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the international festival showcased 60 films from 35 countries, reflecting the diversity of youth-oriented cinema in terms of themes and cultures, with 22 ICESCO Member States participating in the festival’s various activities.

    ICESCO and UNDP Sign MoU to Strengthen Capacities in Knowledge Production

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday, April 11, 2025, to promote cooperation and pool efforts geared towards implementing pioneering initiatives in the fields of the knowledge economy, good governance, digital transformation, and analytical studies on sustainable development.

    The MoU was signed at ICESCO headquarters by Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, and Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Arab States, in the presence of Dr. Hany Torky, Chief Technical Advisor and Director of the UNDP Knowledge Project, and Ms. Ilaria Carnevali, Resident Representative of UNDP in the Kingdom of Morocco.

    During the signing ceremony, Dr. AlMalik commended the distinguished partnership between ICESCO and UNDP, expressing his delight at signing this MoU. In this connection, Dr. AlMalik announced the launch of five ICESCO–UNDP initiatives, namely: the second phase of the ICESCO Skills Academy, “The Learning Sprint”; the joint preparation of a panel on the impact of emerging technologies on the skills of the future, to be held during the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly; a conference of higher education ministers on knowledge capacity-building strategies based on the outcomes of the Global Knowledge Index; a data capacity-building program in the Islamic world; and a joint program to support education in crisis-stricken countries.

    For his part, Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari expressed his pleasure at visiting ICESCO and signing the MoU, conveying his keen interest in exploring new horizons for constructive cooperation, in light of the significant development of UNDP activities in the Kingdom of Morocco. This development, he noted, provides wider opportunities for cooperation with ICESCO, especially in the field of artificial intelligence. He also highlighted other areas of cooperation, including exchanging and disseminating experiences to Member States, promoting knowledge-based economies, and developing their competitive potential at the global level.

    The MoU provides for building institutional and human capacities in the Islamic world through organizing and implementing training courses and workshops to enhance human capital; co-hosting specialized conferences and forums to discuss pressing global challenges; and preparing joint strategic reports on sustainable development. In addition, it provides for cooperation in data collection and impact assessment to support science-based policymaking and research publishing, including the findings of the Global Knowledge Index and strategic reports on education, science, cultural progress, and knowledge-based economies.

    Following the signing ceremony, heads of ICESCO’s sectors and departments gave presentations on key initiatives and projects implemented by the Organization, especially in the areas of youth and women’s capacity-building and skill development, promoting innovation, scientific research, and knowledge dissemination, and investing in science and modern technologies to serve the countries of the Islamic world.

    ICESCO Announces Three Winning Technology Projects at the End of Its Youth Training Program in Cameroon

    Posted on by abdelmohcine.benhlal

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has concluded its program on training youth on how to start up and develop small businesses in the field of technology and innovation in the Republic of Cameroon. The program, implemented by ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector in partnership with the business incubator Intellium, the Cameroonian National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, concluded with the announcement of the winning of three teams out of 15 and 62 participants at the national level.

    During the closing ceremony, held on April 2, 2025, in Douala, the competitors presented their technology project ideas to a jury headed by Mr. Isidore Bikoko, Chairman and Founder of Intellium Incubator, Dr. Muhammed Sharif, Advisor to ICESCO’s Science and Environment Sector, representatives of the Cameroonian National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, government officials, international investors, entrepreneurs, and experts.

    The jury announced the winning teams, with first place awarded to the MATT team, which presented a project to develop catering services through innovative logistics tools. Second place went to Agro Revolution, which focused on modernizing agricultural practices using smart production techniques, while third place went to Elikya Languages, a platform designed to revolutionize local language learning and preserve cultural heritage through technology-enabled methods.

    The Program, which is part of ICESCO’s strategy to support innovation and technology startups in its Member States and empower youth to lead sustainable change in their communities and beyond, offers 6–8 week specialized training courses and workshops.

    ICESCO and Austrian Delegation Explore Ways to Promote Culture of Peace and Coexistence

    Posted on by abdelmohcine.benhlal

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ms. Regina Rusz, Austria’s Deputy Minister for European and International Affairs, and Dr. Anna Jankovic, Austrian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, along with the accompanying delegation.

    During the meeting, held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at ICESCO headquarters in Rabat, the two sides explored prospects for joint cooperation in promoting a culture of peace and consolidating the values of coexistence and interfaith dialogue.

    Dr. AlMalik reviewed the efforts made by the Organization, particularly through its Center for Civilizational Dialogue, to foster mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence. He also highlighted several programs and initiatives aimed at strengthening the values of respect for the privacy of the other, dialogue between nations, and appreciation of cultural diversity, namely the development of the concept of “civilizational diplomacy” concerned with the promotion of global dialogue between different peoples, civilizations and cultures.

    Dr. AlMalik also outlined ICESCO’s vision and strategic orientations, all rooted in the principles of dialogue, cooperation, and the expansion of communication to include the Organization’s Member States and the international community as a whole. He emphasized the Organization’s openness to granting observer status to new countries and its ongoing efforts to integrate the values of peace into education, science, and culture across its Member States. He further stressed his strong belief in the pivotal role of youth, noting that ICESCO has recruited many young talents and collaborated with others to bring their ideas and visions to life.

    For her part, Ms. Regina Rusz commended ICESCO’s diverse activities and initiatives, underscoring the importance of promoting cultural diversity and respect among faiths. She emphasized that peace is the key guarantor of social cohesion and harmony among civilizations.

    The meeting also touched upon future cooperation to organize joint activities, events and forums to raise global awareness on issues of religious diversity and respect for the other, and build a better world where dialogue and respect for religious differences prevail.

    ICESCO Invites Youth to Participate in Initiative to Develop Software Applications for Healthcare

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) is inviting young app developers, software engineers, and enthusiasts of information and innovation technologies to participate in the App-a-Thon for Health initiative held under the theme “Building Apps to Enhance Patient Care,” aimed at supporting young talents to develop applications that enhance healthcare systems.

    Launched on April 1, 2025, in collaboration with e-Santé (CIeS) – Mohammed V University Rabat, Brahmam Innovations (USA), Mohammed VI Higher School of Health Sciences Engineers (ESM6ISS), and Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences Casablanca (UM6SS), this initiative seeks to:

    • Encourage the integration of digital technology into healthcare;
    • Enable young developers and entrepreneurs to design innovative solutions that address patients’ basic needs;
    • Build the capacities of youth in the field of health technology across ICESCO Member States;
    • Contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being for all at all Ages.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Participants must be under the age of 25;
    • They must be university students or recent graduates;
    • Projects must be original and not previously implemented (early-stage startups are eligible);
    • Each team may include up to three members.

    Key Dates:

    • Application deadline: May 15, 2025
    • Final presentation and announcement of winners: November 27, 2025, during the Global Digital Health Forum in Casablanca, Morocco.

    For more information and to register, please visit:
    https://icesco.org/en/events/app-a-thon-forhealth-buildingapps-to-enhancepatient-care-2025/

    Three Technology Projects Win in ICESCO’s Youth Training Program in Gambia

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) has successfully concluded its training program aimed at establishing and developing small projects in technology and innovation in the Republic of The Gambia. Organized in collaboration with the Gambian National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, the program provided valuable support to a group of entrepreneurs. At the closing event, three teams out of twelve were announced as winners, securing their place at the ICESCO International Summit and the Global Entrepreneurship Finals.

    The program, which concluded on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in the presence of Mr. Lamin K. Saidy, Deputy Youth Advisor to the President of The Gambia, aimed to equip young innovators with the necessary skills to refine their business models, enhance their market strategies, and develop solutions to address societal challenges over a period of two months.

    The first-place award went to MESE Energy Solutions for its project on powering food vendor carts with solar energy. Gisqo secured second place with its platform offering digital solutions to simplify innovative technology and its applications, bridging the digital transformation gap in The Gambia. The third-place winner was NAACO Enterprise, which focuses on converting organic waste into fertilizer to reduce food waste and protect the environment.

    The finalists underwent an intensive training camp designed to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills, featuring discussion panels on the role of digital transformation in business growth.

    Speakers shared their insights and innovative strategies to strengthen their startups and effectively scale their projects.

    ICESCO Celebrates World Poetry Day and Honors Creative Poets

    Posted on by mohamed.elmajdouby

    In celebration of World Poetry Day, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held, on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, a poetry event at its headquarters in Rabat, with the participation of several poets from ICESCO Member States, under the theme “Poetry, the Voice of Humanity, the Memory of the Earth.” The attendees actively engaged with the event, driven by their passion for poetry and their belief in the power of the word to embody beauty and convey deep meanings.

    At the opening of the event, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General, welcomed the participating poets, praising the status of poetry as one of the most prominent forms of human expression and as a means of self-cultivation and enrichment of the soul. He highlighted the role of poets as guardians of words that carry strong messages aimed at changing society. He also noted that poetry has a unique ability to influence souls and open horizons for thinking and change.

    In a measure intended at strengthening the cultural scene in the Islamic world, ICESCO Director-General announced the establishment of ICESCO’s “Center for Poetry and Literature,” which aims to invigorate cultural engagement in the fields of poetry and literature. He explained that it will be a cultural beacon aimed at intellectual and creative enrichment in the Islamic world and will seek to make ICESCO a global hub for culture and poetry.

    During the event, poet Rawda Al-Hajj, an expert at ICESCO’s Culture Sector, moderated the screening of The Bird of Ancient Tales, an ICESCO film showcasing poetry’s enduring presence across all aspects of life. The screening was followed by poetry readings from H.E. Dr. Salim M. AlMalik and Ambassador Khaled Fatah Al Rahman, Head of the Center for Civilizational Dialogue, alongside distinguished Moroccan poets, including Dr. Ahmed Lahrichi, Mr. Khalid Boudrif, and Mr. Othman Hichou. Poets from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, and Senegal also participated via videoconference, contributing inspiring verses that enriched the event.

    In conclusion, Ms. Rawda Al-Hajj announced the winners of the Cities of Poems Award, launched by ICESCO to celebrate Marrakech, Shusha, and Benghazi as the 2024 Capitals of Culture in the Islamic World. All participants were honored for their exceptional contributions to the enrichment of Arabic and Islamic poetry and culture.

    ICESCO and Arab League Discuss Prospects for Cooperation in Media and Communication

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), received Ambassador Ahmed Rashid Khattabi, Assistant Secretary-General for Media and Communication Sector at the Arab League. The two officials discussed prospects for cooperation in the field of media and communication, particularly ICESCO’s accession as Observer in the Council of Arab Information Ministers.

    Held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at ICESCO’s headquarters in Rabat, the meeting began with Dr. AlMalik expressing ICESCO’s appreciation for collaborating with the Arab League and its various bodies, given its significant role in its areas of expertise. He also highlighted the strong relationship between ICESCO and the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), reflected in numerous joint activities and initiatives. He emphasized ICESCO’s belief in the importance of synergy among international organizations working in education, science, and culture.

    Dr. AlMalik outlined the Organization’s vision, strategic orientations, and key initiatives across the Islamic world. He also noted the structural updates the Organization has undergone in recent years to align with global developments. Dr. AlMalik explained that ICESCO has adopted a communication-driven approach with its Member States to design programs and initiatives that meet their needs and aspirations.

    For his part, Ambassador Khattabi affirmed the Arab League’s appreciation for ICESCO’s pioneering role in its areas of competence within the Islamic world. He praised the Organization’s qualitative updates and developments, which have been reflected in its innovative programs and initiatives. He also emphasized the complementary role between ICESCO and the Arab League within Arab countries.

    The meeting was attended by Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, ICESCO’s Deputy Director-General; Mr. Osama Heikal, Head of the Media and Communication Sector; and Mr. Mohamed Hedi Sehili, Head of the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards.

    ICESCO Organizes Ramadan Iftar Banquet for Member States’ Ambassadors in Rabat

    Posted on by MOHAMED.AQEIL

    The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) hosted a Ramadan Iftar banquet on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, for ambassadors of its Member States accredited to the Kingdom of Morocco, along with senior diplomats from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event was also attended by heads of sectors, directors of centers, and department heads at ICESCO.

    In his welcoming address, ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim M. AlMalik reaffirmed the Organization’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Islamic world countries in the fields of education, science, and culture. He also conveyed the greetings of ICESCO’s General Directorate and staff to all Member States, expressing his wishes for continued security and prosperity across the Islamic world.

    The banquet, which gathered more than 40 diplomats, featured a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran in ten Qira’at (recitations) with well-established chains of transmission to the Prophet (peace be upon him). The evening also included religious chanting and a video presentation of Dr. AlMalik’s poem “Muntaha Amri”, performed by Mahmoud Al-Sayyad.