MBRF and UNDP unveil details of Knowledge Summit 2025 from New York

 

Over 45 sessions featuring around 130 global speakers

 

12 October 2025- The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), during a high-level event held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, announced details of the 10^th edition of the Knowledge Summit, taking place on 19–20 November 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Center.

The event outlined the main themes of this year’s edition, which marks the Summit’s tenth anniversary. The Summit will explore the concept of ‘Knowledge Markets’ as an economic and social driver of growth, inclusion, and empowerment, while presenting international best practices in sustainable development and highlighting the role of partnerships and investment in building integrated knowledge ecosystems.

Through its sessions, Knowledge Summit 2025 will promote global dialogue to build fair, effective knowledge markets that support a resilient knowledge economy capable of adapting to rapid change. Discussions will address the potential of modern technologies such as AI, blockchain, and big data in developing practical solutions to global challenges. The Summit will also focus on key issues, including legislation, social transformations, intellectual property, patents, education, research, and innovation.

His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said: “Knowledge Summit 2025 represents a strategic milestone that crowns a decade of impactful achievements. It reaffirms our message of positioning knowledge as a tool for empowerment, nurturing generations, and shaping a prosperous future. Announcing this year’s edition from New York underscores the Summit’s global stature and its role in advancing innovative solutions to shared challenges, promoting sustainable development, and establishing knowledge as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for empowering individuals and communities.”

Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Arab States, said: “This year’s Knowledge Summit reiterates that knowledge is the foundation for building just, inclusive, and sustainable economies and societies. At UNDP, we see knowledge markets as powerful drivers to empower people, bridge divides, and help countries navigate global challenges, from climate change to digital transformation. Through our long-standing partnership with MBRF, we are working to turn knowledge into a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable development, shaping a fairer and more prosperous future for all.”

This year’s Summit will feature over 45 dialogue sessions with around 130 speakers, including senior government officials, international experts, and leading figures in business, academia, and development. The program will also include interactive side events such as the Authors’ Corner, the Knowledge Markets Exhibition, and the Knowledge Café, in addition to a Policy Roundtable. The Summit will also host the launch of the 2025 edition of the Global Knowledge Index (GKI), which provides insight into trends and opportunities in knowledge economies and societies worldwide, supporting evidence-based policymaking.

Dr. Hany Torky, Chief Technical Adviser and Knowledge Project Lead at UNDP, said: “The GKI has served as a pioneering knowledge instrument since 2017. It has been undergoing extensive review since last year, with the support of experts from diverse domains to ensure that it stays aligned with rapid global shifts, including those in technology, the digital economy, and climate change, ensuring a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach. Moreover, the latest edition of the GKI and its findings will be unveiled during ‘Knowledge Summit 2025’. This is a significant milestone as the index delivers profound insights, empowering nations to design forward-looking policies.”

The organization of this year’s Summit comes at a pivotal moment as the world undergoes deep economic, technological, and social transformations. The event reaffirms the importance of fostering a global platform for dialogue, exchanging experiences, and building cross-border partnerships to shape a shared vision for the future of knowledge.

-Ends-

 

 

St. George’s University shares key advice on becoming a doctor in the United Kingdom

 

 

The United Kingdom (UK) has established itself as an ideal location for overseas doctors to practice medicine after completing their studies. One of its primary advantages is the opportunity for career progression within a leading healthcare system, the National Health Service (NHS).

As more newly qualified doctors look to the UK for their future careers, St. George’s University (SGU), School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, continues to play a pivotal role in supporting aspiring physicians on this journey. Through its long-standing partnership with Northumbria University, SGU provides students with a path to build clinical expertise, strengthen research skills, and gain valuable hands-on experience in the UK.

With growing interest in medicine across the MENA region, SGU has outlined the essential steps students should take to prepare for a medical career in the UK.

1) Begin Your Medical Degree

SGU not only offers a 4-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, but a range of medical tracks, designed to accommodate students from different academic backgrounds. In partnership with Northumbria University, prospective students have the option to complete their preclinical studies in Newcastle, UK, before progressing to SGU’s main campus in Grenada. This pathway provides early exposure to the UK’s healthcare environment while helping students build a strong foundation in the medical sciences.

2) Clinical Training in the UK

Clinical training is a core component of medical education, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. SGU students have the opportunity to undertake hands-on training at affiliated NHS hospitals across the UK, with 15 affiliated hospital sites available for clinical placements. These placements provide valuable experience in essential responsibilities such as taking patient histories, interpreting diagnostic results, and understanding the day-to-day practices of medical professionals. In addition, students can begin to establish professional connections within the NHS, supporting their long-term career development.

 

Dr. Peter Orton Beaumont, MD ’03, an SGU graduate and now a consultant in Critical Care, Anaesthesia, and Critical Care Transfer and Retrieval Medicine at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, reflected, “SGU prepared me well, both academically and clinically. Completing a significant portion of my clinical rotations in the UK meant I was already familiar with the healthcare system, the clinical environment, and the patient population.”

3) Licensing and Registering with the General Medical Council

Upon completing a medical degree, graduates are required to register with the General Medical Council (GMC) in order to practice in the UK. As part of this process, international medical graduates must sit the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) examination. The PLAB is divided into two stages: a written multiple-choice test and a practical clinical assessment. Together, these assessments evaluate clinical knowledge, communication skills, and readiness to practice safely within the UK healthcare system.

Reflecting on his own career, Dr. Orton Beaumont added, “Working in the NHS offers the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives, to collaborate with talented colleagues from across the globe. For those who are committed, adaptable, and passionate about patient care, a medical career in the UK can be incredibly fulfilling and a source of great professional pride.”

4) Foundation Years Training

Following GMC registration, graduates may apply for the two-year Foundation Programme, which provides structured, work-based training that bridges the transition from medical school to postgraduate practice. This programme helps doctors develop the core competencies required to deliver safe and effective patient care. Applications are managed through the Oriel recruitment portal, and successful candidates can begin the programme once they have secured the appropriate sponsorship certificate and UK Health and Care Worker visa.

Today, many aspiring doctors have advanced their careers through SGU’s partnership with Northumbria University, which creates a path to study, train, and work in the UK. For more information on the MD program and tracks available, check here.

 

ENDS

 

 

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Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi and Jawaher Al Qasimi attend the first Global Children and Youth Film Congress

Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi: We were raised to love Palestine, and we must protect our children from any ideas that contradict our religion and Arab identity

 

October 8, 2025 – His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Affairs Authority, attended this morning (Wednesday) the sessions of the first edition of the Global Children and Youth Film Congress held as part of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth at House of Wisdom.

 

Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi extended her appreciation to the participants, speakers, and organisers of the festival and congress, highlighting that its main session tackled a deeply significant topic, “the Palestinian cause”, which has always been, and will remain, close to the hearts of the UAE and especially Sharjah. She affirmed that generations have been raised with an enduring love for Palestine, a bond that no one can ever uproot.

 

Her Highness added that some people are using modern platforms to spread misleading messages and distort the truth, attempting to influence young minds. She affirmed that such attempts and excuses will never mislead a wise, rational, and faithful person from knowing the true picture of Palestine and its people.

 

She also spoke about the role of Arabs toward the Palestinian cause, stressing the importance of speaking the truth, expressing opinions freely, and delivering the real image of what is happening in Palestine. Her Highness said that the people of Palestine are our family, brothers, children, and friends, and it is our duty to stand with them.

 

Her Highness sent a message to those working in the country’s media sector, urging them to remain advocates of truth, as they are today, and to use social media platforms to convey accurate, meaningful messages that strengthen Palestine’s place in people’s hearts and minds. She also called for stricter monitoring of the content reaching children to protect them from ideas that contradict Islam, customs, and traditions. She urged future generations to stand in solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters.

 

Her Highness emphasized the need to confront any platform that corrupts the morals of children and youth by promoting destructive behaviors through films and electronic games, which lead to negative effects on society and its progress. She called on the Emirati community to act as guardians protecting children from such harmful ideologies.

The opening ceremony began with a short film showcasing highlights from the 12th edition of the festival, featuring 74 selected films chosen from 1,740 submissions representing 26 countries, alongside the participation of renowned filmmakers and media professionals from around the world.

 

Following that, Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director General of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, and Director of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, delivered a speech. She noted that Sharjah has always believed that children and youth are its greatest wealth, the leaders and creators of tomorrow. Based on this belief, the festival was established through the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and with the support of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Family and Community Affairs Authority. The festival has since become a unique model in the cultural landscape, part of Sharjah’s broader cultural project that extends beyond the Arab world to the international stage, with one of its main pillars being the empowerment and education of future generations.

 

She continued: “We continue the journey of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth, which began in 2013 and has since established itself as a platform nurturing our promising children and youth, inspiring innovation and creativity. The festival has proven to be more than just a showcase for films; it is a school of life, a bridge between enjoyment, knowledge, and noble values. Over the years, it has attracted more than 234,000 visitors and screened over 12,000 films from 95 countries, including more than 250 films created by children and youth themselves. Today, the festival continues its mission of building creative generations who value culture and express their identity to the world through its programs, initiatives, and strategic partnerships. The Global Children & Youth Film Congress is a new step in this journey, a platform bringing together filmmakers and experts to exchange ideas and envision the future of cinema.”

 

Speaking about the congress’s goals and themes, she said: “We are discussing three main themes: amplifying the voices of Palestinian children through cinema; the role and impact of children and youth in filmmaking and shaping its future; and the role of festivals in shaping the future of Arab and global cinema. These discussions aim to exchange experiences and open a global dialogue about cinema’s role in building awareness among generations and fostering a more humane future. Through these efforts, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering the new generation of creators and strengthening Sharjah’s position as a beacon that inspires and nurtures talent.”

 

Their Highnesses attended a panel discussion titled “Amplifying the Voices of Palestinian Children Through Cinema”, featuring Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Ferdous Bulbulia, Director of the Nelson Mandela Film Festival, and Mohammed Keblawi, Founder and CEO of the Malmö Arab Film Festival.

Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi spoke about the festival’s role in transforming children from passive viewers into storytellers through workshops and interactive sessions, providing them with the latest tools and techniques in areas such as sound design, lighting, and directing. She emphasised that children’s voices carry power, and their stories are a form of testimony.

 

She also affirmed that Palestinian children have the right to tell their stories and share their words; they are not merely narrating events but documenting history and preserving the memory and pain of their homeland. She stressed that the festival seeks to be a platform to bring the voices of Palestinian children to the world through film, calling on everyone to listen, respect, and stand with them under all circumstances.

 

Ferdous Bulbulia highlighted the important role of the Sharjah International Film Festival in developing children’s and youth’s skills, sharing her own challenges as a filmmaker at the start of her career. She underscored the importance of portraying authentic images of events around the world, including what Palestinian children endure, through films that connect with audiences emotionally and intellectually.

 

She urged filmmakers to focus on the depth of their stories, especially when addressing challenges and struggles, noting that “talking is easy, but applying it in reality is the real test.” She explained that in South Africa, children’s involvement in filmmaking was once limited, but today there is growing awareness of its importance and impact.

 

Mohammed Keblawi, Founder and CEO of the Malmö Arab Film Festival, expressed solidarity with all humanitarian causes worldwide, emphasising that Palestinian cinema has always been a part of the Malmö Festival, which has screened 32 films from Palestine, capturing the realities of life there. He affirmed that cinema conveys what news bulletins often cannot.

 

He called on writers and directors to show that Palestinian children live, dream, aspire, and to build bridges between global audiences and the Palestinian cause to ensure the message is clear. He concluded by noting that many film festivals receive support from international funds, which should be utilised to advance and develop the global film industry.

 

Their Highnesses also attended the second session titled “The Role and Impact of Children and Youth in Filmmaking and Shaping Its Future”. His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and the UAE Media Council, spoke about children’s cinema and the leadership’s support for the industry. He explained that governments are attracting major production companies to strengthen the film sector, though one of the biggest challenges remains unifying all stakeholders under one umbrella, given the fragmented entities and the high costs involved, which require patience to yield results.

 

He discussed the importance of engaging youth in the film sector, noting that cinema is primarily an economic industry. With artificial intelligence now reducing costs and boosting film production, he reflected on classic animated shows like Adnan wa Lina (Future Boy Conan) that left a lasting mark, calling on filmmakers to study their success and apply similar principles to modern content.

 

He also revealed that new government strategies will give priority to local films in cinemas, as part of ongoing efforts to support Emirati productions, which he described as among the strongest in the region.

Sheikh Abdullah praised the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth for its workshops and discussions that strengthen filmmaking skills and commended Sharjah’s consistent focus on positive outcomes and tangible community benefits from every event. He urged everyone to align with the leadership’s vision, avoid misinformation, and rely only on official sources for news.

 

The Global Children and Youth Films  Congress stands as a unique regional platform highlighting cinema’s role in shaping young minds across the Arab world. It gathers filmmakers and experts to exchange ideas and explore challenges and opportunities in children’s and youth cinema, promote purposeful storytelling, and support emerging talent. The congress reflects Sharjah’s leading role in championing the film and media sectors, positioning it as a cultural and artistic hub that inspires creativity and empowers the next generation of Arab talent.

 

The opening was attended by Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations; Sheikha Jawaher bint Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director General of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation and Director of the Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth; Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Business Women Council; His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Office and the UAE Media Council; along with senior officials, representatives of participating entities, film industry professionals, and guests of honor.

 

-END-

سلطان بن أحمد القاسمي وجواهر القاسمي يشهدان جلسات النسخة الأولى من المؤتمر العالمي لأفلام الأطفال والشباب

 

 

جواهر بنت محمد القاسمي: نشأنا على حب فلسطين، ولابد من الحفاظ على أبنائنا من كل فكر يخالف ديننا وهويتنا العربية

 

 

 

 

في 8 أكتوبر 2025/ شهد سمو الشيخ سلطان بن أحمد بن سلطان القاسمي نائب حاكم الشارقة، وقرينة صاحب السمو حاكم الشارقة، سمو الشيخة جواهر بنت محمد القاسمي رئيسة مجلس الشارقة للأسرة والمجتمع، صباح اليوم الأربعاء، جلسات النسخة الأولى من المؤتمر العالمي لأفلام الأطفال والشباب، ضمن فعاليات مهرجان الشارقة السينمائي الدولي للأطفال والشباب، وذلك في بيت الحكمة.

 

ووجهت سمو الشيخة جواهر بنت محمد القاسمي رئيسة مجلس الشارقة للأسرة والمجتمع في مداخلة لسموها الشكر والتقدير للمشاركين والمتحدثين والقائمين على المهرجان والمؤتمر الذي تتناول جلسته الرئيسة قضية مهمة وهي "قضية فلسطين" التي كانت ولا زالت وستبقى في القلوب بالنسبة لدولة الإمارات والشارقة على وجه الخصوص، مشيرة سموها بأن المجتمع نشأ على حب فلسطين ولا يمكن لأحد أن ينتزع هذا الحب.

 

وأضافت سموها بأن البعض يتجه لاستخدام المنصات الحديثة لتوصيل رسائل مضللة وبعيدة عن الحقيقة، والسيطرة على العقول الناشئة والشباب، مؤكدة سموها أن المحاولات والأعذار التي يخلقها البعض لن تحيد الشخص الفاهم العاقل المؤمن بالله عن معرفة الصورة الحقيقية لفلسطين وأهلها.

 

وتناولت سمو رئيسة مجلس الشارقة للأسرة والمجتمع دور أبناء الوطن العربي تجاه القضية الفلسطينية، مشيرة سموها بضرورة التمسك بقول الحق والتعبير عن الرأي بكل حرية وإيصال الصورة الصحيحة عن ما يجري في فلسطين، مؤكدة سموها بأن أهل فلسطين هم أهلنا وإخواننا وأبناؤنا وأصدقاؤنا ومن الواجب الوقوف معهم.

 

وأرسلت سموها رسالة للمسؤولين في القطاع الإعلامي بالدولة بأن يكونوا أصحاب حق كما هم الآن، وأن يستخدموا منصات التواصل الاجتماعي لإيصال الرسالة الصحيحة والهادفة التي ترسخ وتعزز من مكانة فلسطين في العقول والقلوب، إضافة إلى تكثيف الرقابة على المحتوى الذي يصل لأبنائنا والمحافظة عليهم من كل فكر يخالف الدين الإسلامي والعادات والتقاليد، داعية سموها بضرورة وقوف الأجيال القادمة مع إخوانهم الفلسطينيين.

 

وشددت سمو رئيسة مجلس الشارقة للأسرة والمجتمع على أهمية الوقوف أمام كل منصة تفسد أخلاق الأطفال والشباب من خلال الترويج للأفعال والأخلاق الهدامة في الأفلام والألعاب الإلكترونية المختلفة ما تؤدي إلى نتائج غير مرجوة تنعكس على المجتمع وتطوره، مناشدة سموها المجتمع الإماراتي بأن يكونوا جنود يحمون الأبناء في الداخل من هذه السموم الفكرية.

 

وكان حفل الافتتاح قد استهل بمادة فلمية تناولت أبرز الأفلام المشاركة في المهرجان في نسخته الـ 12 والذي يتضمن عرض 74 فيلماً تم اختيارهم من بين 1740 فيلماً من 26 دولة، ومشاركة نخبة من صُنّاع الأفلام، والمختصين في مجالات السينما والإعلام من مختلف دول العالم.

 

وألقت بعدها الشيخة جواهر بنت عبدالله القاسمي مدير عام مؤسسة ربع قرن لصناعة القادة والمبتكرين، مدير مهرجان الشارقة السينمائي الدولي للأطفال والشباب كلمة أشارت فيها إلى أن الشارقة لطالما آمنت بأن الأطفال والشباب هم الثروة وقادة الغد وصُناعه، ومن هذا المنطلق جاء تأسيس المهرجان الذي تحول، بفضل رؤية صاحب السمو الشيخ الدكتور سلطان بن محمد القاسمي عضو المجلس الأعلى حاكم الشارقة، وبدعم من قرينته سمو الشيخة جواهر بنت محمد القاسمي رئيسة مجلس الشارقة للأسرة والمجتمع، إلى نموذج متفرد في المشهد الثقافي، وجزء من مشروع الشارقة الثقافي الذي تتّسع رؤيته ليكون عربياً وعالمياً، حيث تتجلّى إحدى ركائزه في الاهتمام بمعارف ووعي الأجيال القادمة.

 

وأضافت الشيخة جواهر بنت عبدالله القاسمي // نواصل مسيرة مهرجان الشارقة السينمائي الدولي الذي انطلق عام 2013، ورسّخ مكانته كمنصة ترعى أطفالنا وشبابنا الواعدين، وتعزز فيهم روح الابتكار وتنمي مواهبهم، فاتحة أمامهم آفاق الإبداع. وأثبت المهرجان أنه أكثر من مجرد منصة لعرض الأفلام، بل مدرسة للحياة وجسر يربط بين المتعة والمعرفة والقيم النبيلة، حيث استقطب أكثر من 234 ألف زائر، وقدم ما يزيد على 12 ألف فيلم من 95 دولة، بينها أكثر من 250 فيلماً من إبداع الأطفال والشباب أنفسهم، واليوم يواصل المهرجان دوره في بناء أجيال مبدعة تدرك قيمة الثقافة وتعبّر عن هويتها أمام العالم، من خلال برامجه ومبادراته وشراكاته الاستراتيجية، ليأتي المؤتمر العالمي لأفلام الأطفال والشباب خطوة جديدة في هذه المسيرة، ومنصة تجمع صناع الأفلام والخبراء لتبادل الرؤى واستشراف مستقبل السينما //.

 

وعن أهداف ومحاور المؤتمر العالمي لأفلام الأطفال والشباب تحدثت مدير مهرجان الشارقة السينمائي الدولي للأطفال والشباب، قائلة // نناقش ثلاثة محاور رئيسيّة وهي: تعزيز أصوات الأطفال الفلسطينيين عبر السينما، ودور الأطفال والشباب في صناعة السينما وأثرهم في تشكيل مستقبلها، ودور المهرجانات في تشكيل مستقبل السينما العربية والعالمية، وتهدف هذه النقاشات إلى تبادل الخبرات، وفتح حوارٍ عالميّ حول دور السينما في بناء وعي الأجيال وصياغة مستقبلٍ أكثر إنسانيّة، ومن خلالها نؤكّد التزامنا بتمكين الجيل الجديد من المبدعين، وترسيخ مكانة الشارقة كمنارة تُلهم الأجيال وتحتضن الموهوبين //.

 

وشهد سموهما جلسة نقاشية بعنوان "إبراز أصوات الأطفال الفلسطينيين عبر السينما" تحدث فيها كل من: الشيخة جواهر بنت عبدالله القاسمي مدير مهرجان الشارقة السينمائي الدولي للأطفال والشباب، وفيردوس بلبوليا مدير مهرجان نيلسون مانديلا السينمائي، ومحمد قبلاوي المؤسس والرئيس التنفيذي لمهرجان مالمو للسينما العربية.

 

وتناولت الشيخة جواهر بنت عبدالله القاسمي دور المهرجان في تحويل الطفل من متلقي إلى صانع حكاية، من خلال الورش التدريبية والحلقات النقاشية المتعددة، وتوفير أحدث الوسائل والتقنيات للمشاركين من أجل التعلم وتطوير المهارات المتنوعة مثل هندسة الصوت والإضاءة والإخراج وغيرها، مؤكدة أن صوت الأطفال قوة ورسالتهم شهادة.

 

وأشارت مدير مهرجان الشارقة السينمائي الدولي للأطفال والشباب أن لأطفال فلسطين الحق في حكاية قصتهم وإيصال كلمتهم، لأنهم لا يروون قصة، بل يكتبون التاريخ ويرسخون ذاكرة الوطن وأوجاعه، مؤكدة بأن المهرجان يعمل على أن يكون وسيلة لنقل صوت الطفل الفلسطيني للعالم من خلال الأفلام، موصية بضرورة الاستماع وتقديم الاحترام لهم والوقوف معهم في كل الظروف.

 

من جانبها، تحدثت فيردوس بلبوليا مدير مهرجان نيلسون مانديلا السينمائي عن دور مهرجان الشارقة السينمائي الدولي للأطفال والشباب المهم في تنمية قدرات الأطفال والشباب ومهاراتهم، متناولة التحديات والصعوبات التي تعرضت لها في بداية مشوارها كصانعة أفلام، مشددة على أهمية نقل الصورة الواقعية والحقيقية عن الأحداث المختلفة حول العالم ومن ضمنها ما يعيشه أطفال فلسطين من خلال إنتاج الأفلام التي تصل لمشاعر المشاهد وترسخ الفكرة في عقله.

 

وأوصت مدير مهرجان نيلسون مانديلا السينمائي صانعي الأفلام بضرورة الوصول إلى أذهان المشاهدين وعكس المشهد الحقيقي عبر التركيز على تفاصيل القصة إن كانت تحوي تحديات وصعوبات ومشاكل، مشيرة إلى أن الحديث سهل، ولكن لابد من تحقيق الأصعب وهو تطبيق الكلام على أرض الواقع، موضحة أن القطاع السينمائي وتهيئة الأطفال للعمل السينمائي في جنوب افريقيا لم يكن يحظى باهتمام كبير سابقاً، ولكن في الوقت الحالي يعمل القائمين على هذا القطاع بتعزيز وزرع أهمية هذا النهج.

 

وتحدث محمد قبلاوي المؤسس والرئيس التنفيذي لمهرجان مالمو للسينما العربية في الجلسة عن تضامنه مع أي حالة إنسانية حول العالم، موضحاً بأن مهرجان مالمو لم تغب عنه القضية والسينما الفلسطينية أبداً، حيث شهد مشاركة 32 فلم من فلسطين تحدثوا عن تفاصيل الأحداث وما يعيشه الفلسطينيون في ظل الأحداث المتغيرة، مؤكداً بأن السينما تعمل على نقل الصورة التي تصعب على نشرات الأخبار نقلها.

 

وناشد الرئيس التنفيذي لمهرجان مالمو للسينما العربية الكُتاب والمخرجين بضرورة توضيح أن الطفل الفلسطيني يعيش حياته ولديه أحلام وطموحات لتحقيقها، مشدداً على أهمية بناء جسر بين الجمهور العالمي والقضية الفلسطينية لتحقيق وضوح الرسالة، مختتماً حديثه بأن أغلب المهرجانات السينمائية تلقى دعماً من الصناديق العالمية الأمر الذي يجب استغلاله لتعزيز وتطوير القطاع السينمائي حول العالم.

 

كما حضر سموهما الجلسة الثانية في المؤتمر والتي حملت عنوان "دور الأطفال والشباب في صناعة السينما وأثرهم في تشكيل مستقبلها"، تحدث فيها معالي الشيخ عبدالله بن محمد آل حامد رئيس المكتب الوطني للإعلام، رئيس مجلس الإمارات للإعلام، عن صناعة السينما للأطفال ودعم القيادة والحكومات لهذا المجال، موضحاً بأن الحكومات تقوم بدعم واستقطاب الشركات الكبرى في مجال الإنتاج السينمائي لتعزيز القطاع في الدولة، مشيراً إلى أن أبرز تحدي له هو جمع كل الجهات تحت مظلة واحدة، حيث تقع حالياً في جهات متفرقة، إضافة إلى ضخامة التكلفة في هذا القطاع والحاجة للصبر حتى تحصل على النتائج.

 

وتناول معالي الشيخ عبدالله بن محمد آل حامد فرص الزج بالشباب في القطاع السينمائي، مشيراً إلى أن قطاع السينما يعتبر اقتصادي بحت، خصوصاً في الأيام الحالية التي دخل فيها الذكاء الاصطناعي ما ساهم في تقليل التكلفة وزيادة إنتاج الأفلام، مستذكراً أبرز الأفلام الكرتونية للجيل السابق مثل "عدنان ولينا" التي لازالت عالقة في الأذهان، داعياً صناع المحتوى والأفلام اعتباره نموذجاً ناجحاً ويتم تطبيق مقومات نجاحه على المحتوى الحالي.

 

وتطرق معالي رئيس المكتب الوطني للإعلام إلى الأنظمة والتشريعات التي تضعها الجهات الحكومية والتسهيلات أمام السينما الإماراتية، كاشفاً عن استراتيجية جديدة تمنح الأفلام المحلية أولوية في دور عرض السينما، باعتبارها جزءاً من دعم أعمال السينما المحلية التي وصفها بالأقوى في المنطقة.

 

واختتم معالي الشيخ عبدالله بن محمد آل حامد حديثه مشيداً بمهرجان الشارقة السينمائي الدولي للأطفال والشباب من ورش عمل وجلسات تعزز مجال صناعة الأفلام، إضافة إلى ما تقدمه إمارة الشارقة التي تركز دائماً على المخرجات الإيجابية وتحقيق الفائدة القصوى من كل حدث، موصياً الجميع بمواكبة توجهات القيادة الرشيدة وعدم الانجرار نحو الشائعات والتخريب، واستقاء الأخبار والمعلومات من المصادر الرسمية في الدولة.

 

ويعد المؤتمر العالمي لأفلام الأطفال والشباب منصة إقليمية فريدة تسلط الضوء على دور السينما في تشكيل عقول الشباب في العالم العربي، ويجمع صناع الأفلام والخبراء لتبادل الأفكار ومناقشة التحديات والفرص في السينما العربية الموجهة للأطفال والشباب، وتعزيز سرد القصص الهادفة ودعم المواهب الناشئة، ويجسّد المؤتمر دور الشارقة الرائد في دعم قطاع السينما والإعلام، وترسيخ مكانتها كوجهة فنية أساسية تُلهم المبدعين وتُقدم فرصاً استثنائية للمواهب الشابة الواعدة في العالم العربي.

 

حضر الافتتاح بجانب سموهما كل من: الشيخ فاهم بن سلطان القاسمي رئيس دائرة العلاقات الحكومية، والشيخة جواهر بنت عبدالله القاسمي مدير عام مؤسسة ربع قرن لصناعة القادة والمبتكرين، مدير مهرجان الشارقة السينمائي الدولي للأطفال والشباب، والشيخة هند بنت ماجد القاسمي رئيسة مجلس سيدات أعمال الشارقة، ومعالي الشيخ عبدالله بن محمد آل حامد رئيس المكتب الوطني للإعلام، رئيس مجلس الإمارات للإعلام، وعدد من كبار المسؤولين وممثلي الجهات المشاركة والعاملين في القطاع السينمائي وضيوف الشرف.

 

-انتهى-

In collaboration with Alef Education, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority launches 2nd phase of Bader Educational Awareness Project to enhance school safety

 

Abu Dhabi, 7 October 2025: The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, in collaboration with Alef Education, has launched the second phase of the Bader Educational Awareness Project (2025–2029), following the success of the first phase (2021–2024), which significantly contributed to enhancing safety and prevention culture among thousands of students across schools in the emirate.

 

The new phase of the project focuses on expanding its scope to include all public and private schools benefiting from Alef, with a total of 548 schools, 173 in Abu Dhabi and 375 across the other emirates. The initiative aims to reach 180,000 students in Abu Dhabi and 300,000 students nationwide, in addition to training 6,000 teachers in Abu Dhabi and 13,000 across the UAE, as well as administrators and school safety officers. This expansion strengthens sustainable preventive awareness within the educational environment.

 

The Authority explained that Bader is the first initiative of its kind worldwide, providing an integrated awareness curriculum that covers all educational stages, from kindergarten to Grade 12. The curriculum embeds safety and prevention concepts progressively and sequentially, with interactive bilingual content addressing key topics such as evacuation and alarms, first aid, fires, hazardous chemicals, and individual social responsibility. New lessons will be added annually, reaching a total of 13 lessons per Cycle by 2029. The project represents a pioneering national model for embedding a safety culture through education, reflecting a commitment to supporting national efforts to build a conscious and capable generation that can protect themselves and their communities, while reinforcing sustainable community development.

 

During the first phase, 357 out of 372 schools nationwide participated, benefiting nearly 59,000 students. More than 36,000 of them completed the program in full, representing 96 per cent of the targeted schools. The impact assessment study showed positive results, including a 10.9 per cent improvement in students’ emergency preparedness, a 9.3 per cent increase in their self-confidence when handling emergencies, an 11.2 per cent boost in their sense of safety and readiness, and an 11.7% rise in their willingness to spread awareness among their peers.

 

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority (ADCDA) has also achieved a series of distinguished accomplishments through this innovative educational awareness project. It received the Khalifa Award for Education in 2023 for the project, followed by the Hamdan bin Rashid Award for Institutions Supporting Education in 2024. In the same year, it also won the Dubai Quality Group – Ideas UAE Award for Best Joint Idea, in recognition of its pioneering role in promoting a safety culture through advanced interactive methods.

 

The Authority emphasised that students graduating from Grade 12 after completing the program will be equipped with essential life skills to respond correctly in emergencies, fully aware of safety and prevention concepts, and capable of spreading awareness within their families and communities.

 

The Arab World’s Growing Prominence in Open Science

 Arab world’s long tradition of scholarship is seeing a revival, with universities rising in global rankings and becoming hubs of research.

• As academic systems shift toward social and cultural impact, the development of accessible and inclusive research and education models are key. Open science policies and practises lie at the heart of this transformation, and the Arab world is poised to be a global leader, working with major global organisations to establish a blueprint for equitable and accessible research and education models

·        The Forum for Open Research in MENA is a UAE-based non-profit initiative that is spearheading the movement for the Arab world, bringing together policymakers, educators and researchers.

·        The initiative’s flagship event, the Annual Forum for Open Research, takes place in a different Arab country each year, and this year it is being hosted in the UAE. The event is focused on practical, collaborative actions, and tangible long-term outcomes.

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Sharjah, UAE — 03 October 2025

The Arab world’s legacy of scholarship stretches back centuries, when its centres of learning shaped global discovery. In recent years, that tradition has regained momentum, with universities across the region rising in global rankings and establishing themselves as hubs of advanced research.

At a moment when the world’s academic ecosystems are shifting to prioritise social and cultural impact, the Arab world has a lot to offer. Accessible and inclusive models of research and education are central to this effort, and Open Science, the practice of making data, findings, and methods more widely available, is creating the conditions for faster discovery, broader participation, and benefits that affect society as a whole.

The Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM), an independent, UAE-based initiative, is spearheading this movement in the region. Working with universities, policymakers, and international organisations, FORM is helping the Arab world contribute to and influence global research priorities and innovation pathways.

Its flagship event, the Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA, is held in a different Arab country every year. In 2025, the Forum returns to the UAE, hosted at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) from 20–23 October, under the patronage of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). The four-day programme will feature 26 sessions, delivered by 88 speakers from over 60 institutions, uniting leading voices from across the Arab world and beyond.

For the Arab world, Open Science represents more than access. It offers the chance to amplify regional academic voices, strengthen local institutions, and ensure that the region’s talent and intellect are recognised globally. Above all, it creates space for the Arab world to influence the direction of international research priorities and innovation pathways.

 

Registration Now Open

Registration for the 2025 Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA is now open. All in-person sessions will also be livestreamed to ensure full regional accessibility.

For details and registration: https://forumforopenresearch.com

The H Dubai and UAE Red Crescent Unite for a Heartfelt Community Activation in Support of the Year of Community 2025

 

The event, which took place on September 12^th at the Red Crescent’s Dubai branch in Al Garhoud, included family-friendly activities, gifts, and shared moments of compassion as part of The H Dubai’s CSR commitment

 

Dubai, UAE (1^st October 2025): The H Dubai recently joined hands with the UAE Red Crescent to host a meaningful community activation on September 12^th at the Red Crescent’s Dubai headquarters in Al Garhoud. Aligning with the UAE’s announcement of 2025 as the Year of Community under the theme “hand in hand”, the initiative brought together families, children, and volunteers for an afternoon of creativity, joy, and giving back. This community initiative was held in commemoration of the International Day of Charity and Dubai’s Year of Community, bringing joy to children supported by Emirates Red Crescent through a cookie decorating workshop by The H Hotel.

The H Dubai has long been recognised for its dedication to corporate social responsibility, with a strong focus on partnerships that create positive social impact. As one of the first hotel from STORY Hotels and Resorts, The H Dubai has consistently championed meaningful CSR initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to giving back to the community and driving purposeful impact beyond hospitality. Having previously hosted several inclusive events supporting children of determination, sustainability-driven initiatives, and charitable collaborations, the hotel continues to place community at the heart of its operations. Among its notable initiatives, The H Dubai has successfully hosted an annual Iftar for children on the spectrum in collaboration with Georgetown Early Intervention Centre, creating a space for joy, inclusivity, and connection. The hotel has also championed the arts as a medium for awareness by flying in renowned Nigerian artist Kanye Tagbo Okeke, an exceptional talent on the autism spectrum, to showcase his work during World Autism Awareness Day. Partnering with the UAE Red Crescent reflects further The H Dubai’s values of compassion, responsibility, and meaningful contribution.

The activation at Red Crescent Al Garhoud welcomed over 30 children, alongside Red Crescent representatives and The H Dubai’s team. Children participated in an interactive cookie decoration workshop, creating sweet treats together and enjoying moments of creativity and laughter. To add to the joy, The H Dubai team surprised the young participants with thoughtful gifts, ensuring that each child left with a smile.

 

Speaking about the collaboration, Yassin Mahmoud, General Manager at The H Dubai, said, “This activation with the UAE Red Crescent perfectly reflects our ethos at The H Dubai of bringing people together through compassion and shared responsibility. As we celebrate the Year of Community 2025, it is our privilege to contribute to initiatives that create joy, inclusivity, and a true sense of belonging for families.”

 

In line with the national theme of the Year of Community 2025, the event reinforced the importance of unity, inclusion, and compassion. By creating shared experiences between children, families, and volunteers, the initiative exemplified the UAE’s vision of a society built on empathy, togetherness, and collective responsibility.

 

End