Dubai School of Government hosts creator of The 99, Islamic world's first superheroes

Titled 'The 99: How the Private Sector Can Succeed in Public Diplomacy,' the event came as part of a series of lectures designed to stimulate debate on public policy in the region. It was attended by a number of leading business figures, academics, government officials and researchers in Dubai.

Dr Al-Mutawa is the founder and CEO of Kuwait-based Teshkeel Media Group, publishers of the award-winning comic book series THE 99. The superheroes are seen as global ambassadors for a tolerant Islam and a successful public diplomacy tool, and do not incorporate any religious content in the storylines. Forbes magazine has named THE 99 as one of the 'Top 20 Trends Sweeping the Globe.'

Dr Tarik Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government, said:

"A strong partnership between the public and private sectors can help improve public diplomacy formulation. It brings in a wider pool of expertise for policy deliberations and can enhance the region's capacity for dialogue and effective public policy."

"Dr Al-Mutawa has had extensive clinical experience working with former prisoners of war in Kuwait, as well as at the Survivors of Political Torture unit of Bellevue Hospital in New York. He has seen first-hand the poison that intolerance can plant in any society," he added.

During his talk, Dr Al-Mutawa explored the genesis of THE 99 characters and outlined expansion plans. Elaborating on the development of broadcast animation, the launch of THE 99-themed lifestyle magazine in the Gulf region, and additional international publishing and merchandising partnerships, he also revealed that Batman and Superman will be teaming up with THE 99 in a new global series to be published by DC Comics.

Dr Al-Mutawa's involvement in the field of human rights and tolerance dates back to his college years, where he interned at the United Nations Convention of Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland. While at college in the US, Dr Al-Mutawa wrote widely read columns for both the Arab and American press focusing on social and political commentary.

Dr Al-Mutawa's direct contact with the horrors of prisons in the third world, and with people tortured because of their religious and political beliefs, led to his writing a children's tale that won a UNESCO prize for literature in the service of tolerance. His children's series is now used in schools throughout the Arab world and as a resource in master's level education classes by a handful of universities.