Wednesday 22 November 2017

New push to eradicate illiteracy in the Arab World

Source: MBRF. HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, VP and PM of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and MBRF Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as Jordan’s Prime Minister Dr Hani Al Mulqi, the Guest of Honour at the launch of the Literacy in the Arab World initiative.

The Literacy in the Arab World initiative has been launched to eradicate illiteracy from the region by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) in collaboration with UNESCO, the United Nations Development Programme and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiative at the Knowledge Summit 2017 in Dubai, UAE. The project aims to provide 30 million Arab youth under the age of 18 with the right to education by 2030.

MBRF CEO Jamal Bin Huwaireb said that education is the best tool to fight ignorance and extremism. He said, “It is the only way for the development and wellbeing of our people and societies. We’re confident the summit will constitute a roadmap for building and advancing knowledge-based societies in our Arab region. Such societies are built on innovation and creativity.”

Delivering the keynote address at the summit, Jordan’s Prime Minister Dr Hani Al Mulqi said that economic, social, and human structure must be developed to tackle challenges like cybersecurity and growing unemployment.

“We need to focus more on developing the education system and meeting technological development. Jordan has started implementing the 2025 (Sustainable Development) Goals. Youth in Jordan constitutes two-third of the total population, there is a lot of demand for jobs. So it’s very important to have skillful youth that are specialised in technology and innovation to get the opportunities they want and to have more knowledge disseminated in the region,” he said.

The Knowledge Summit 2017, held under the theme Knowledge and the 4th Industrial Revolution, brought together decision makers, thinkers, experts and pioneers in the knowledge industry, as well as scientists, academics and specialists from all around the world, to discuss pressing issues and challenges facing the industry, review best practices and experiences and offer solutions to meet the challenges.

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