News

Arab children express their cultural identity

Alexandria, 25 September 2005—The Bibliotheca Alexandrina witnessed today the opening session of the discussions and debates around the influence of cultures on the Arab child. Organized by the Arab Council for Childhood and Development (ACCD), the “Arab Child Subject to Different Cultural Influences” conference, 25-27 September, brings Arab children’s opinions and thoughts to light, highlighting their cultural rights.

Inaugurated by HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdel Aziz, President of ACCD; Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; and Dr. Ayman Abu Laban, Secretary-General of ACCD, the conference began with the vibrant voices of Arab children on the different facets to their cultural identity, during the screening of the film “Children Express Themselves”. Speakers of the opening session also included Dr. Suhair Abdel Fattah, conference coordinator and ACCD expert.

HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdel Aziz broached several topics in his opening address. He spoke of Arab children in the past, and their grim status today, despite the technological and intellectual advancements witnessed, and our duty toward future generations. His Royal Highness also pointed out the significance of civil society organizations, and the importance of benefiting from cultural influences and modernization while maintaining one’s identity, stressing the need to avoid the prohibition of ideas with no rational justification. He called for a culture of tolerance, based on liberty, justice, equality and the protection of rights, indicating the Arab child’s right to interact with other cultures and societies, and affirming that the essence of culture is freedom.

In his speech, Dr. Serageldin asserted the importance of nurturing children and childhood, and the role played by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) toward this end. He described the different services provided by the Children’s Library and Young People’s Library at the BA, shedding light on the various workshops and programs offered by the many centers and departments, such as the Art Center’s musical and arts activities; the Science Museum of the Planetarium Science Center; and the Book Mobile which visits children in the rural areas. Dr. Serageldin concluded his speech with Mahatma Gandhi’s famous words, “I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.”

Dr. Abu Laban in his address, described culture as a pillar of sustainable development, as development cannot be achieved without one having cultural identity. He spoke of how the conference’s targets have been previously addressed by other countries worldwide, referring to the cultural network created in Europe, and the syllabi amendments performed in Japan and Scandinavia. Dr. Abu Laban expressed his hope that the meeting’s recommendations be implemented and thus contribute to Arab children’s maintaining their own identity and patriotism, while being able to respond and interact with the diverse cultures of humanity.

The conference included Dr. Abdel Fattah’s words where she emphasized how the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and therefore it is important to focus on them, if we wish to improve our lives and future.

The end of the session witnessed the presenting of plaques to HRH Prince Talal by children who represented the participating Arab associations and institutions. It was followed by a group picture of the children with the Prince, and a musical performance by the Children’s Choir of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

The ACCD conference seeks to discuss different cultural influences affecting the Arab child, and the challenges faced by these influences, as well as promote Arab children’s cultural development. With more than 200 researchers and experts participating, discussions will revolve around seven topics: Sources of the Arab Child’s Culture; the Arab Child’s Language in the Age of Globalization; the Impact of Local and Foreign Media on the Arab Child; Child’s Rights; Children’s Participation; Foreign Experiences; and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina’s contribution. A number of workshops for children are also organized within the context of the conference, to grant children the opportunity to express themselves and their aspirations.

The conference is organized in cooperation with the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Swedish Aid (Sida), UNICEF, the League of the Arab States, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organizations (AGFUND), UNESCO, the Swedish Institute in Alexandria, and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah.

Opening Session speakers	Group photo of the participating children with HRH Prince Talal	The Children’s Choir at the BA