• Home
• /
• World
• /
• Gulf

Media and child rights forum starts today

DUBAI — The first ‘Arab Media and Child Rights Forum’ will open in Dubai today.

Organised by Unicef and sponsored by Dubai Aid City in collaboration with The Arab Institute for Human Rights, Al Bayan newspaper and the Dubai Press Club, the forum will run until December 9.

Mohamed Anis Salem, representative from the Regional Office of Unicef, Middle East and North Africa, said: “The forum will feature top officials, decision makers, experts in media and human rights who will come together to discuss and analyse issues related to child right and the role of mass media in presenting those cases and their contribution to improve the situation of children in the Arab world.”

He added: “The Forum aims at promoting the participation of Arab media in upholding children’s rights. The meeting will also propose a Declaration which will act as a guideline for Arab mass media and their children oriented programmes.”

Salem pointed out: “It is apparent that the children in the Arab world are still facing major challenges and this in fact should be the concern of all the organisations working in the field of media and development. We hope that this Forum will take positive steps in this regard."

Barbara Castek, Head of the Dubai Aid City, said they are happy to participate in this important event as it is in line with the Dubai Aid City’s strategy to support the various humanitarian projects and facilitate the work and services of all local and international humanitarian organisations. “We at the Dubai Aid City pay special attention to children and the City constantly works on supporting them through different channels. There is no doubt that this Forum will highlight many of the challenges faced by children in the Arab world and suggest possible solutions," said Barbara Castek.

Mohammed Al Mansoori, Deputy Manager of the Dubai Press Club, said: “As the Forum will feature top personalities, media officials and experts, we are positive that the Forum will attract attention to the state of children in the Arab world and help shape a better future for them.”

He added: “The Forum will also present a number of workshops which will be moderated by leading experts in media and child rights’ issues. These workshops will help raise awareness of children rights and the best way to uphold and safeguard them.”

Among the topics to be highlighted at the Forum are: state of the children in the Arab world, health and education of the children in the Arab world and ways to protect them from violence, etc.