Integration of Regional Efforts to Combat Illiteracy in the Arab Region

Speaking at a session on day two of the Literacy Challenge Forum 2020, His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF), asserted that collaboration and coordination among all relevant institutions and organizations in the Arab world is the only solution for eradicating illiteracy in all its forms.

Bearing the title ‘Integration of Regional Efforts to Combat Illiteracy in the Arab Region’, the session was moderated by Dr Hany Torky, Chief Technical Advisor of the Knowledge Project at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“Launched following directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, the Literacy Challenge initiative seeks to eradicate illiteracy for 30 million Arab youth and children by 2030, in a joint effort between MBRF, UNESCO, and the UNDP,” said H.E. bin Huwaireb.

For his part, Dr Yahia bin Ibrahim Al Mofarreh, Director of the General Department for Adult Education at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education, shed light on the Arab Decade for Literacy (2015- 2024), which seeks to minimize the proportion of illiterate youth and adults (aged 15 years and above) in the Arab world along five successive stages.

The upcoming period calls for developing adult education and lifelong learning plans to achieve the objectives of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Al Mofarreh asserted.

Meanwhile, Dr Ashraf Ibrahim, Director of the UNESCO Regional Centre for Adult Education, noted the role that the center has played in eradicating illiteracy in Egypt, in collaboration with the Arab League and a host of Egyptian and Arab organizations.

Jamal bin Huwaireb:

“The collaboration and coordination among all relevant institutions
and organizations in the Arab world is the only solution for eradicating illiteracy.”