Dubai hosts the second 'Arab Media and Child Rights Forum'

The forum seeks to increase the role of media in protecting and enhancing child rights in the region and promoting global dialogue on key issues related to children and youth around the world.

Discussions will examine the current status of girls' education at the regional level, while reviewing the latest developments in education strategies implemented around the world. The forum will also discuss the role of mass media in promoting awareness about these issues in light of the International Girls' Education Initiative.

Representing select Arab active organizations in the field of Human Development, Media and Human Rights, the organizers of this year's forum include: the Regional Office of UNICEF, Middle East and North Africa, the Arab Institute for Human Rights, Al Bayan Newspaper and the Dubai Press Club.

The Organizing Committee of the Second 'Arab Media and Child Rights Forum' held a preparatory meeting in Cairo recently. The attendees at the meeting included Ambassador Mohamed Anis Salem, Regional Advisor Communications, UNICEF House, Dr. Malak Zaghlool, Regional Education Advisor, UNICEF, Dr. Tayyeb Bakkosh, Head of the Arab Institute for Human Rights, Dr. Abdul Bassit Hassan, Programme Officer, Human Rights Programme, Ford Foundation.

The attendees also included: Noor Dajjani, from the UNESCO, Khalid Mansour, Head of Regional Media, World Food Programme, Ali Obaid Al Hamly, Head of the Culture Section at Al Bayan Newspaper and Mohammed Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Dubai Press Club. The meeting discussed the forum's agenda and necessary preparations to achieve expected results.

Ambassador Mohammed Anis Salem said, "Following the remarkable success of the first regional media forum on child rights, in which more than 50 media experts representing 13 Arab countries participated, it was essential to proceed with this unique initiative, focusing discussions on specific topics of relevance to the Arab children, starting with the issue of education for the girl child".

"Unfortunately, the current state of children in the Arab World is not very satisfactory and there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed. Leading Arab media and development organizations have a responsibility towards protecting and promoting children's rights." He added.

"UNICEF works on encouraging dialogue amongst media organizations on human rights, especially rights of children. UNICEF's efforts complement the objectives of many Arab media, development and human rights organizations. The forum enables dialogue among these organizations and provides a strategic platform to study new mechanisms for securing the right to education for the Arab girls," said Ambassador Mohammed Anis Salem.

Organizing Committee member and Executive Director of Dubai Press Club, Mohammed Al Mansoori said, "In our mission of promoting media best practices in the region, Dubai Press Club is keen on increasing the contribution of media in securing a better future for children in the region."

Al Mansoori explained, "Communications technology has dramatically increased the role of media as a tool of change and development. Thus, we expect the forum to spread more awareness about necessary action to overcome challenges facing the education of women in the region."