Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation Launches Dubai International Programme for Writing

Dubai-UAE: 01 October, 2013 - Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation (MBRF) today announced the launch of the Dubai International Programme for Writing, seeking to support Emirati as well as Arab writers in the UAE and across the Middle East region gain international recognition.The announcement was made at a press conference that was headed by His Excellency Jamal Khalfan bin Huwaireb, Managing Director, MBRF, and Jamal Al Shehhi, Founder and Executive Director of Kuttab Publishing House. Held at the Godolphin Ballroom, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the event was attended by over 20 Emirati authors, as well as members of the regional and international media.The Dubai International Programme for Writing, which aims to elevate the literary standards of the society, will be rolled out in three phases. The first phase will aim to empower 100 young Emirati writers with enhanced writing skills, while the second phase will engage young Arab authors who currently reside in the UAE. The third phase will address authors from across the wider Arab region. The Foundation will seek to support members of the programme by providing funds to publish and promote their literary works beyond domestic borders and make them available at the global marketplace.The launch of the first phase of the writing programme was marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between MBRF and Kuttab Publishing House towards supporting 20 deserving Emirati authors. The Foundation aims to strike similar synergies with other UAE-based publishing houses in order to benefit the targeted number of authors in the country. The programme also seeks to support local publishing houses and highlight the role they play in enriching the knowledge and culture movement in the Arab world.Addressing the press conference, His Excellency Jamal Khalfan bin Huwaireb stressed on the importance of knowledge as a crucial engine for economic growth. He reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to revive its initiatives and programmes that aim to encourage writing, publishing and the support of young Emirati and Arab authors. He added that the Foundation will also focus on publishing books beyond literary work such as scientific and research-based content that reflects unique thinking and literary value.Furthermore, His Excellency Jamal Khalfan bin Huwaireb, said: “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is committed to establishing Dubai as a world-class city that is driven by a knowledge-based economy. Today, we aspire to elevate the initiatives of MBRF to unprecedented levels as part of our priority to implement this vision.“Over the next phase of the programme, the Foundation will support initiatives that seek to disseminate knowledge, innovation, research and development stories from Dubai to the foremost capitals of the world. We hope to collaborate with major international institutions to realise this plan. The Dubai International Programme for Writing, which we are launching today, is only the tip of the iceberg in our plans to cement the future of the nation’s literary potential.”He further added: “The programme was visualised by the Foundation with an eagerness to distribute and document local content for the benefit of the wider Arab community in the region. It also articulates the conviction of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of MBRF, to support young UAE nationals as well as Arab writers who wield the talent to craft literary pieces. The programme will eventually support the nation’s larger movement towards promoting Arab culture through adopting local talent and backing publishing houses. We intend to support the young authors with timely advice and guidance to improve their competencies through practical training and intellectual development.”Jamal Al Shehhi said: “It is indeed a great honour for us to be able to participate in the launch of the Dubai International Programme for Writing, which strives to provide a sustainable environment for the growth of knowledge and creativity in the field of writing, composition, literature and cultural heritage. This is consistent with the objective of Kuttab Publishing House, which is to support emerging talent among young Emiratis, and bring about an enrichment of the literary renaissance witnessed in the UAE. This can only be achieved by encouraging young writers to become ambassadors of the UAE to the world, recording Emirati history, culture, knowledge and innovation.”Al Shehhi added: “The programme will encourage intellectual and literary creativity among the Emirati youth and elevate the Arabic writing skills of participants through workshops. As a result, they acquire the capacity to generate a literary outcome that is of interest to international publishing houses and eventually triggers the translation of their books into other languages. We hope that such achievements will in turn gain them international recognition.”Notably, the MBRF has passed through several stages of evolution since its inception in its constant effort to enhance and disseminate local knowledge, as well as support entrepreneurship. The Foundation today is concertedly working towards achieving one of its main goals, to renew and reposition the intellectual thought of the Arab world in order to create an advanced cognitive environment that complements the reputation that Dubai and the UAE holds.