"Child Friendly Media" Regional Workshop Launches in Abu Dhabi in the Presence of Malaysian Queen, Arab Artists, and Media Personalities from 7 Countries
In a partnership between the Arab Council for Childhood and Development (ACCD), the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood (SCMC) in the UAE, the League of Arab States (LAS), the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), and UNICEF, the Regional Workshop "Child Friendly Media" was held from April 23-25, 2024.
The Workshop's proceedings commenced with the following opening speeches: the speech of HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of ACCD and AGFUND, delivered on his behalf by Dr. Nasser Alkahtani, Executive Director of AGFUND; the speech of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak ("Mother of the Nation"), Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the SCMC, and Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation, delivered on her behalf by H.E. Reem bint Abdullah Al-Falasi, Secretary General of the SCMC; and the speech of H.E. Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary General and Head of the Social Affairs Sector at LAS.
The Workshop was attended by several high-profile figures, most notably Her Majesty Queen Azizah Aminah, wife of the King of Malaysia, along with artist Ahmed Helmy, artist Shaimaa Seif, and prominent media personalities Mona El-Shazly, Nashwa Al-Ruaini, Nadia Al-Zoubi, and Mama Anisa. Representatives from regional and international organizations, relevant Emirati institutions, experts, and media professionals from seven Arab countries were also present. The event's introduction was skillfully presented by Syrian child Sham Al-Bakkour, winner of the Reading Challenge Award.
The Workshop addressed several issues related to child rights and the media's impact on children. Topics included the reality of child rights and welfare policies in Arab countries, media's role in climate change issues, cultural identity, and mental health, in addition to applying professional principles for handling child rights issues in text and imagery. The Workshop also featured a dialogue session with children and honored Emirati institutions that won the "Child and Family Friendly Institutions Prize" organized by LAS.
Furthermore, several media entities were recognized for their support of childhood issues at the local level.
The Workshop is part of the implementation of the Media Observatory for Arab Child Rights Project, acknowledging the influential role media plays in the lives and upbringing of children. It also serves to implement the recommendations of the Arab Childhood Committee of the LAS. Its aim is to provide media professionals with a foundational understanding of children's rights and urgent issues, empowering them with skills to leverage media for child protection and care, and to integrate these principles into media messages and programs. This ultimately seeks to raise awareness among community members and decision-makers regarding childhood issues, rights, and protection.
Participants in the Workshop called upon Arab media to adhere to professional guidelines in addressing child rights issues, prioritize the challenges facing Arab children, and work to present Arab content that promotes their rights, enables their active participation, and ensures safe and rational internet use. The Workshop sessions also included discussions on the necessity of restoring the role of the family and school in integration with media, in order to equip children with skills that foster creativity and innovation, enhance critical thinking, and protect them from rights violations and exposure to bullying or exploitation, especially in digital media.
Date: April 25, 2024
