Regional forum reviews children’s education in the Arab World [Archives:2006/947/Local News]

Yasser Al-Mayasi
SANA'A, May 17 ) The Arab Regional Media Forum on Children Rights that hosted myriad participants from the Arab countries concluded their second meeting in Dubai on May 4. The forum was a joint activity of the UNICEF regional office for the Middle East and North Africa, the Dubai Press Club, the Arab Institute for Human Rights (AIHR), the Al Bayan newspaper, and other parties.

The forum tackled the issue of girl's education in the Arab world as well as children rights in general. The participants discussed this topic in order to become better acquainted with the situation of girl's education and to get acquainted with the role of media in defending children's rights. It was agreed that the media can further the rights of children most if they have a thorough knowledge of the general situation of children in the Arab world, particularly in regard to human rights. Girl's education in the Arab world in terms of enrollment, dropout rates, and educational inputs (e.g., facilities, sanitation, teachers, and curriculum), in addition to other interrelated factors, was discussed.

Successful strategies and experiences were reviewed with the aim of familiarizing the participants the best practices in education reform with regards to girl's education in the Arab world and in the world at large. One of the case studies looked at was the United Nation's initiative for girl's education.

A review of the role of media in intensifying the support and follow-up of girl's education was made as well as awareness of the distinctive obstacles that women face. The forum designated tasks for participants to follow-up on with the media in relation to the international initiative for girls' education.

The forum assessed select case studies on girl's education by hearing testimonies from media workers who had conducted field-visits in order to identify needed international initiatives in girl's education. There were also a number of studies presented on girl's education including a Yemeni paper that was presented by the author: “Media facts and Indications over Girl's Education in Yemen.” Other papers presented included one by Dr. Malak Za'lok examining girl's education in the Arab countries and one by the BBC journalist Safa' Faisal.

Unlike usual conferences and forums, a final statement was not delivered. The forum organizers determined that typically such meetings issue a final communique without any results down the line. Media professionals presented several media commitments in support of improving girl's education including film projects and written reports supporting girl's education.
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