QCRI promotes video creation to bolster Arabic language content on the web

The event will highlight video creation as an important driver of digital content. It has been arranged as part of Google's Arabic Web Days programme, which runs from November 20 to December 20, to encourage Arabic contribution online.

"Studies and experience have shown that there is a disproportionately low amount of digital Arabic content, when compared to other languages, given the large number of Arabic speakers worldwide," said Majd Abbar, Director of Arabic Content Initiatives at QCRI. "At QCRI, our Ethraa initiative aims to close this gap through organising and supporting programmes designed to increase and enrich relevant Arabic language content on the web. To help us with this effort, we look to join forces with organisations that have the same objective such as Taghreedat and Google, who aim to raise awareness about Arabic online contribution."

Taghreedat initiated the first 'Arabic Tweetup' in 2011, which brought together hundreds of enthusiasts and volunteers from around the region to launch the 'Twitter Arabization Project' as a crowd-sourcing community initiative."We look forward to this year's tweetup, organised in partnership with QCRI, as an important opportunity to share key international best practices in Arabic digital content production," said Samy Al Mubarak, co-founder of Taghreedat.

Arab youth have embraced YouTube as an increasingly important channel for self-expression and insightful video content. Amateur film-makers have maximised opportunities to articulate their views through animation, documentary and comedy.

"QCRI is leading the region when it comes to driving Arabic online content initiatives and we are proud that they are part of Arabic Web Days," said Maha Abouelenein, Head of Communications for the MENA region at Google.

Google launched Arabic Web Days to inspire the community to increase its internet presence, through partnerships as well as grassroots efforts, to help accelerate digital Arabic content creation.

The programme for the 'Arabic YouTube Tweetup' features high-profile speakers from Google, Twitter and YouTube, as well as video content entrepreneurs from the region. Also scheduled is a special screening of the short film 'Super.Full' followed by an open discussion with film-maker Niam Itani.

The tweetup, to be held on December 15 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Qatar National Convention Centre, is free and open to the public.