29 March 2016
H.E Shaikha Mai Participates in a Euro-Mediterranean Forum on Women
Bahrain has always been present in international events advocating culture and women’s empowerment; hence, H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA) president, did not hesitate to take a symposium on “The Role of Women as Intercultural Mediators of the Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue”. The symposium was held by the Paris-based Association of Arab Women in the Press and Communication (AFACOM), in association with ISESCO and other organizations and institutions, at the French Senate in Paris on March 29th.
In a statement on the sidelines of the conference, H.E said, “We believe that through dialogue we can build channels of communication between people and different civilizations and we firmly believe that culture is a universal communication tool capable of uniting universal human relations.” H.E added saying, “Women in Bahrain are present in every aspect of life without distinction or segregation. Women’s presence in the cultural scene stems from a conviction entrusted on them by the leadership, especially with regard to Bahraini historical heritage preservation.”
The symposium will bring together a host of eminent academic and political figures, including women researchers specializing in women issues in Mediterranean countries, in addition to representatives of the Council of Europe’s North-South Centre, UNESCO, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the Observatoire d’études Géopolitiques, the École Supérieure de Journalisme (ESJ) of Paris, the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation, the Union for the Mediterranean and Arab and French audiovisual and written media.
The symposium is aimed at enhancing the role of women in the evolution of Euro-Mediterranean societies, developing a new approach to the North-South relations, building bridges of intercultural and interreligious cooperation, and promoting dialogue between the south and north of the Mediterranean. The symposium also aims to highlight women’s roles in consolidating mediation in the cultural, educational, and religious and media related spheres. The event’s agenda features an opening session, followed by three working sessions on ‘Women as Mediators in Education and Media’, ‘Women and Intercultural and Interreligious Mediation’ and ‘Women and Institutional Mediation’.
The Association of Arab Women in the Press and Communication (AFACOM) was established in 2006 with members including Arab and French women working in the media business. The objective of the association is organizing cultural events aimed at enhancing relations between Europe and the Arab world.
The Objectives of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), is to encourage civilizational interaction and promote these shared civilizational, cultural and intellectual bonds. It aims also at activating the principles of solidarity, mutual assistance and equality to reinforce cooperation among the member states and thereby promote education, science, culture and communication through all appropriate means.
