ACCD Launches "Strategic Vision for Childhood in a Changing World" Workshop with 30 Experts from 5 Arab Countries
Under the patronage of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of the Arab Council for Childhood and Development (ACCD) and the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), a Workshop titled "Strategic Vision for Childhood in a Changing World" kicked off on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at ACCD's headquarters in Cairo. The event brought together over 30 experts in various fields of childhood and development from five Arab countries.
HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal, in his recorded opening speech, emphasized the need for a new vision that keeps pace with global developments and changes to prepare new generations for a sustainable future. His Highness expressed hope that the workshop would yield new insights and directions to maximize the benefits of technology and digitalization, proposing new systems for education, upbringing, development, and protection that align with digital advancements, particularly for early childhood and children in difficult circumstances.
His Highness also stressed the importance of continued adaptation to the climate crisis, with active participation from children and youth, as agents of change.
Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector at the League of Arab States, highlighted the Workshop as a genuine opportunity to foster cooperation and exchange views on crafting a comprehensive Arab strategy for childhood. She questioned whether the Arab region could develop a sustainable vision that reflects its unique identity while embracing global experiences, noting that this requires scientific knowledge and decisiveness.
Dr. Hassan Al-Bilawi, Secretary General of ACCD, reviewed ACCD’s strategic direction, emphasizing that childhood is a multifaceted socio-economic and political issue. He asserted ACCD's commitment as a civil society organization to providing a scientific vision for child development, believing that focusing on children's rights is key to progress.
Dr. Nasser Alkahtani, Executive Director of AGFUND, pointed out that the workshop should explore how global changes impact children and how to manage these effects consciously. He identified the biggest challenge as integrating children into sustainable development. Dr. Alkahtani noted AGFUND's strong commitment to childhood, particularly in upbringing and education, highlighting the strategic goal of leveraging unprecedented technological advancements for children's benefit.
The Workshop is set to continue for two days, April 15-16, 2025, featuring eight scientific sessions and more than 17 working papers and interventions. These sessions aim to discuss global trends in childhood and chart future directions in sustainable development, technology, education, and the role of civil society, all to enhance ACCD's visions and policies for the coming years.
Date: April 15, 2025
