Science and knowledge are two of the most important factors for any human development, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al-Homoud Al-Sabah stressed Monday.Sheikh Salman made this remark in his speech at the opening of Al-Arabi Magazine 13th forum, held during the period March 3-6, which focuses on the Arab culture as part of the Silk Road development. Sheikh Salman, who represented His Highness he Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah at the event, said the Kuwaiti leadership has always paid attention to intellect and culture; he added that Kuwait has constantly strived to build cultural bridges and open new horizons for inter-cultural dialogue because it believes that these are the fundamentals of establishing world peace and building civilizations.He pointed that that the vast use of the internet has made the gap between these bridges even smaller where large variety of platforms invited people from all walks of life to have open discussions; hence, there should be more focus on teaching younger generations the art of reasonable dialogue.Out of the importance of culture and knowledge, the minister pointed out that many programs concerning art, culture and science will be launched in the country during the upcoming years; the aim for these programs is to set up an international cultural hub in this country.On her part, Al-Arabi Magazine Editor in Chief Dr. Laila Al-Sabaan said that since its inception in 1958, the Magazine has been hailed by both elite and masses as a true reflection of the concerns of the Arab people and a beacon that spreads culture, knowledge, and enlightenment across the Arab World and beyond; the magazine served as the point of juncture of Arab cultural and intellectual creativity and a venue for exchange of views on the issue of the hour.Nonetheless, she noted that during all these past years the magazine focused on the explorations of man-made products: in geography, architecture, customs, art and literature. However, in the next phase of the magazine more attention will be paid to man himself: the creator of all cultures and civilizations.