12th Sharjah Arab Children Forum graduates children

The Sharjah Children Centres announced today details on the educational workshops, seminars and programs which will take centre stage during the 12th Sharjah Arab Children Forum (SACF). Held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family affairs, the 12th edition of the Sharjah Arab Children Forum 2016 is organized by the Sharjah Children Centres, a subsidiary of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and is due to take place from March 28th until April 3rd 2016.
The announcement was made today (Monday March 14th) over a press conference at Al Noor Island, Sharjah, held by the Sharjah Children Centres, where a line-up of key members from the organizing committee included Reem BinKaram, Head of the Supreme Organizing Committee for the Sharjah Arab Children Forum and Director of the Sharjah Children Centres, Amani Al Naqbi, Head of Media Relation Department of the Sharjah Media Centre, Noura Mohammed Mubarak, Deputy Head of Supreme Organizing Committee for the Sharjah Arab Children Forum and distinguished executives from the forum’s partners and sponsors.

The seven-day event will bring together 120 Arab children aged 8-12 years from 11 Arab countries, including 80 Arab children from the UAE and various children centres in Sharjah. The 10 Arab countries taking part in the forum (4 children from each country) include Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Palestine, Union of the Comoros, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Republic of Sudan, Morocco and Jordan.

During her speech at the conference, Reem BinKaram, Head of the Supreme Organizing Committee for the Sharjah Arab Children Forum and Director of the Sharjah Children Centres, said: “The 12th Sharjah Arab Children Forum aims to strengthen and instil leadership and social innovation skills in the hearts and souls of Arab children participating in this year’s forum. In addition, the programs and workshops will feature topics that educate them on basic human relationships and the ability to deal with various social challenges. The forum also aims to create a sustainable platform for intercommunication and cultural exchange and abolish cultural and social barriers eliminating all forms of difference among one another, and nourish them with the teachings of unity, belonging to one nation that shares one language and one culture. The forum also seeks to develop children's sense of social responsibility, its importance
and to solidify their belief that they are capable to work together in drawing a clear roadmap leading to innovation and success ".

In its 12th edition, the forum will feature training programmes introduced for the first time, and are tailored specifically to meet the highest international of standards, and to graduate Arab children participating with the outmost inspirations. The programmes mainly aim to enhance children's leadership skills, encourage them to adopt innovation as an approach in their lives and consolidate unity and teamwork among participating children.

Children will be divided into groups consisting of children from different Arab countries with the aim of strengthening inter-communication and exchange of experiences, qualifying them to transfer the finest values and creative skills they have acquired in the forum to their own countries.

Noura Mohammed Mubarak, Deputy Head of Supreme Organizing Committee for the Sharjah Arab Children Forum, outlined the details of the programs and workshops taking place during the forum.

Forum opening day

The seven-day forum features a rich programme with a unique mix of training and entertaining activities. On Day 1, a networking session will be held allowing children to get to know one another, and will undergo an entertainment-themed workshop taking place at the Rigga Children Centre in Sharjah.

The official opening of the forum will be held at Al Qasimia University March 28th, 2016.

NGO Program

The second day of the forum will host one of the most fundamental set of workshops organized by a series of non-government organizations (NGO) collaborating together to support children a series of educational seminars.

Mubarak emphasized: “This program will play a crucial role in developing children's personalities, enrich their experiences and familiarize them with the importance of community engagement, individual and corporate social responsibility.”

Day 2 will conclude with a fun themed art event to inspire children's artistic skills and abilities.

Mubarak added: "This event is one of the key features this year’s forum. It will focus on helping children learn about the prominent roles played by the NGOs and the initiatives they undertook to develop their communities. During this day, children will get close and personal with the companies and their respective missions, thereby instilling the values of volunteerism in children at an early age."

Mubarak concluded: “The program is supported by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Environment Company (Bee'ah), Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), Sharjah Social Services Department, The Big Heart Foundation, Friends of Cancer Patients (“Ana” initiative), Department of Health Education and Promotion, and Care Direct.”
Leadership Training Programme

The 3rd day of the forum will include a leadership training programme for children aged 8-12 years at Al Rigga Children Centre. The three-day leadership programme aims to nurture and develop leadership skills in children.

Children will also have the opportunity to learn about craftsmanship during the heritage day, as they will be engaged in workshops and traditional crafts where they will also learn about etiquettes and hospitality.

Forum Closing

The seven-day forum will conclude on April 3, 2016 with a closing ceremony that will be held at the Sajaya Young Ladies of Sharjah centre. The ceremony will feature a variety of entertaining activities and exciting shows organized and performed by the children.

Reem BinKaram, Head of the Supreme Organizing Committee for the Sharjah Arab Children Forum and Director of the Sharjah Children Centres, concludes, "It’s a fundamental fact that in any nation in the world, children are the driving force and the sole key to its strength, success, sustainability and prosperity. Sharjah has taken considerable initiatives in developing models that protect, empower and nourish the wellbeing of these children, under the guidance and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. Thanks to his effective directives, Sharjah has become a central hub for establishing diverse centres and organizations dedicated solely to the care and education of children. These centres provide them with all their fundamental needs and requirements, with a vision that’s united towards empowering generations that are full of

talent, innocence, capabilities and innovation when going against future socio-
talent, innocence, capabilities and innovation when going against future socio- economic challenges efficiently and competently.”

BinKaram pointed out that the forum's slogan "Hear us We Are the Future" is an explicit call by participating children to decision-makers in the Arab world to give them more attention, and highlights social challenges that face the future of children in their own
nations.