Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein inaugurates the 2008 Arab Children's Health Congress

The theme of this year's Congress will focus on "Healthy Body, Healthy Mind". Studies show that 65 - 85 % of adults world wide do not perform any kind of exercise, and more than 2 million deaths can be linked to lack of physical activity and poor nutrition. The Arab Children's Health Congress recently announced a strategic partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and will work with them to develop an action plan on diet, physical activity and health for the EMRO region.

The purpose of the congress will be aimed at reviewing current policies, supporting the provision of better healthcare systems, helping children to make healthy lifestyle changes and to ultimately develop a bill of rights for children to improve their overall quality of life. The four-day Congress is scheduled to take place from March 24th to March 27th at the Dubai International Convention Centre.

The Arab Children Health Congress is an initiative launched by Her Royal Highness Bint Al Hussein, the wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in an effort to create a platform for raising awareness on issues related to the well being and health of children and young Arabs. The Congress will also encourage health, education and social experts discuss most relevant and pressing health issues related to children with a focus on raising public awareness on health concerns faced by young people in the UAE and Middle East and North Africa region.

A number of local, regional and international organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, Right to Play (RTP) and others will be highlighting the importance and significance of the strategies and programs aimed at improving childhood nutrition, physical activity and wellbeing during the four-day conference. Speakers will include H.E. Dr. Alaa Alwan, Assistant Director General, WHO in Geneva; Dr. Tim Lobstein, the International Obesity Taskforce in the UK; and H.E. Senator Dr. Kamel Ajlouni, President of the National Diabetes Center in Jordan, amongst others.

The different sessions over the four days will focus on discussions between these healthcare practitioners and children on the various concerns these youngsters are facing. The outcome of these debates will then be used to develop a series of recommendations to the Ministry of Health in order to improve healthcare policies in the region.