13th Sharjah Arab Children Forum discusses sustainability and education in the Arab world

The Organizing Committee of the 13th Sharjah Arab Children Forum (SACF), organized by Sharjah Children of Rubu' Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, unveiled details of this year’s event at a special press conference held yesterday (Monday), at Mughaider Child Centre, Sharjah.

This year’s edition, under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and Chairperson of the Rubu' Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, will be held from 24-28 March.

The event will bring together more than 128 Arab children from 11 Arab countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Palestine, Sudan, Egypt, Mauritania, Comoros, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE delegation will include 84 Emirati children from a cross-section of organisations including Sharjah Children Centres, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services, UAE Girl Guides Association, and Emirates Scout Association.

This year’s forum runs under the theme "Hear Us ... We Are The Future", highlighting the importance of science and technology in children’s lives, and showing decision-makers across the Arab world how this field can stimulate thinking, innovation and creativity.

This edition also aims to promote the idea that Arab children belong to one nation with an authentic and distinct culture, while also highlighting the talents of Arab children, enabling them to exchange experiences and promoting their right to express themselves and their aspirations.

Aysha Al Kaabi, Acting Director of Sharjah Children (SC) and Chairperson of the forum’s Higher Organising Committee, said: “The forum is a continuation of the great efforts towards supporting Arab children led by the guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Rubu' Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, the passionate advocate for Arab children.

“Despite the diversity of the Forum, its focus is on one central issue affecting the future of children in general and Arab children in particular, namely sustainable development. At this edition, we look forward to spreading the culture of sustainable development among Arab children and highlighting their role in supporting sustainable development partnerships. The Forum will also improve behaviours that enable sustainability, which has become necessary for education.”

This year’s edition, which coincides with Year of Zayed, will also introduce Arab children to the UAE and educate them about the country’s cultural achievements, the important role of its founders and Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and values.

Al Kaabi said: “The forum strengthens the reputation of Sharjah as a city that nurtures children and young people, and which, through its initiatives and programs, is keen to safeguard the rights of children and strengthen the relationships between UAE children and Arab children.”

Reem BinKaram, member of the board of trustees for Rubu' Qarn For Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, said: “For two decades the Sharjah Arab Children Forum has been a unique platform in the Arab world, empowering children and encouraging them to make their voices heard, motivating them to take the initiative and find solutions to the challenges they face.”

BinKaram said: “The forum reflects Sharjah's distinctive vision to safeguard and protect the rights of Arab children, to provide a pioneering model in creating an Arab generation that cherishes its past and looks forward to the future. The forum would not be possible without the vision, actions and commitment of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Rubu' Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators.“

BinKaram added: “The 13th edition of the Forum coincides with the Year of Zayed and this offers the participating children a wonderful opportunity to learn about a leader who devoted his life to building a safe, stable and luxurious life for many generations, and extended that vision to all the Arab communities.”

Aida Butti Hadid, Programme Manager at Sharjah TV, Sharjah Media Foundation and Media Sponsor of the event highlighted the importance of the Emirate’s efforts to children all over the Arab world.

She said: “The directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Rubu' Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, have a great impact on the lives of Arab children. The Emirate has provided many centers and facilities that are concerned with them, developing their abilities and refining them, and providing them with knowledge so that they can make the desired positive change in their lives, their families, their society and their countries.

"The Sharjah Forum for Arab Children is organized to be a platform that brings together Arab children from all over the Arab world, in an effort to motivate and support them and to benefit the potentials of each one of them so that they can inspire other children."

The program

This year’s programme includes training and entertainment activities in cooperation with community institutions, government agencies and private companies.

During the press conference, Noura Ali Al Shamsi, Head of Initiatives and Projects and Vice President of the Forum, gave a presentation on the training and entertainment activities on the agenda at this year’s event. The activities will be held in cooperation with community institutions, government agencies and private companies, most notably: Sharjah Ladies Club, The Big Heart Foundation, Administration of Sharjah Youth, Watani Al Emarat Foundation, The Sharjah Development Forum, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, Sharjah Women Sports Foundation, The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Soul Art, AUFUQ AL EBDAA Training Center, Sharjah Museums Authority, Drone Pilot Transporters, Healthy Snacks, Anfasic Dokhoon, Sharjah International Children's Film Festival, ARAQY - Emirati Artisan Chocolatier, and Seba Med.

Things get underway on March 24 with a full session which will help the attending Arabic children to build relationships, develop a spirit of teamwork and work on communication skills, to better help the children represent themselves and their countries at the opening ceremony on March 25.

On March 26, the delegates will take part in the "Making the Future" event, which uses cooking, technology, art and volunteering to develop their intellectual skills and hobbies. The “We Adventure and Learn” initiative on the same day will instill leadership, cooperation, teamwork, confidence, health and wellbeing in the children.

The "Mleiha Discovery" event on March 27 is a field trip to one of Sharjah's most important landmarks, helping the children to discover archaeological treasures and develop research skills and learn about the history of the region through a treasure hunt.

March 28 will be a special day for the Arab children as they participate in a session of the Sharjah Children's Shura Council, as part of the International Government Communication Forum which will be held in Expo Sharjah. The session will discuss the role of Information Technology in children's education. A "Your Talent is Your Passion" event will allow the young ambassadors to highlight the cultures of their different countries, allowing the Arab children to exchange experiences and learn about their peers in the Arab world.

The challenge of the Arab Children Forum will be organized throughout the days of the event through the Seppo platform: Children will be telling the story of their learning, acquaintance and entertainment journey in Sharjah.

The forum, which is organized by the Emirate of Sharjah and held every two years, is a platform for Arab children of different ages and nationalities to discuss the issues that concern them and affect their present and future.

The 13th edition, held under the theme "Hear Us ... We Are The Future", represents an appeal from Arab children to decision-makers in the Arab world to guide their plans towards enabling the new generation by science and technology, and scientific curricula that stimulate thinking, innovation and creativity.  The theme also promotes the issue of sustainable development and the right of Arab children to live in safety.

The Sharjah Arab Children Forum has dealt with many issues of children in the Arab world and since its first session in 1995. It has been dedicated to the promotion of loyalty to the homeland, identity and family among children, and has invited Arab children to interact with the issues of the Arab nation and adhere to their identity and unity in order to develop their countries.

Partnerships include the Media Sponsor, Sharjah Media Corporation; and the
Bronze Sponsor, The New Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Sponsors of the event sites include Sharjah Government Media Bureau, Sharjah Girl Guides, Sharjah Investment & Development Authority – Shurooq, Cultural Palace. Support Sponsor: Sharjah Police, Sharjah City Municipality, Sharjah Roads & Transport Authority,

Official carrier is Air Arabia, and hospitality Sponsors are Local Cookies and Triangle Bites.