Dubai, UAE: The Arab Thought Foundation (ATF), in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation and Chairman of the National Olympic Committee and His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal, Chairman of the Arab Thought Foundation, honored the winners of the Arab Creativity Award 2017, the 11th edition of the award. The ceremony was held in Dubai and was attended by: His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, the Chairman of the Board of the Foundation; and His Royal Highness Turki Al Faisal, Chairman of the Board of King Faisal Center for Islamic Research and Studies.

The winners of the Arab Creativity Award were: Dr. Frederic Maatouk (Lebanon) in the Most Valuable Book category for “Clash of Arab Tribalism,” while the Media Creativity Award went to “Opinions About the Gulf” magazine and Dr. Abdulaziz bin Othman bin Saqer (KSA). The Artistic Creativity Award went to “Muhaqqaq Calligraphy” by Dr. Nassar Mansour (Jordan), the Literary Creativity Award went to “Only a Millimeter Away” by Abdelwahid Estito (Morocco), and the Social Creativity Award went to the “Elderly Empowerment Project” by Dr. George Eli Karam (Lebanon). The Economic Creativity Award was withheld. The Foundation also awarded the Arab World Institute with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

His Royal Highness Prince Bandar bin Khalid Al Faisal, the Chairman of the Arab Thought Foundation gave a speech in which he congratulated the winners, saying: “I am pleased to welcome you to this forum which is blessed with your presence. We gather to honor the Arab beacons that pave the way for Arab culture to prosper.”

“Our brightest minds often warned of the deterioration of our culture, and the repercussions that threaten the Arab identity itself. It is imperative for us to acknowledge this painful reality, and work with sincerity and wisdom to develop a better future for the next generation. We still hold the keys of creativity, ingenuity and perseverance – we have a course, a direction,” added His Royal Highness.

“It is no exaggeration to say that the Arab Thought Foundation represents the launching of an ambitious initiative to chart a path forward. We aim to establish solidarity between Arab intellectuals and financial figures who are already striving for the betterment of our region. The ATF is committed to facilitating dialogue on the most pressing Arab issues at its conferences, bringing disparate viewpoints to the same table for rational discussions,” continued His Royal Highness.

“The FIKR conference series focuses on positive Arab integration, a step towards the Arab dream of unity. And his year’s conference FIKR16 is focused on chaos and its consequences, the means of stabilizing the region, the visions of the international powers, the experience of regional organizations, and the contributions of various sectors on the hearts and minds of Arabs,” explained His Royal Highness.

“These prizes shine a light on the experience and integrity of their recipients, who have dedicated themselves to the service of their nations and the Arab people. Their accomplishments across a wide range of fields have established them as beacons of hope, and earned them the right to be honored here and supported as they continue their journey of giving,” remarked His Royal Highness.

“In conclusion, allow me to congratulate this remarkable group of people on your behalf for winning these awards, and to say to them: Your nation is proud of you and is expecting more from you, and you are up to this task. I would also like to thank the United Arab Emirates, and especially the Emirate of Dubai, for its support of this conference,” concluded His Royal Highness.

-Ends-

FIKR16 Conference

An endless series of consecutive, sudden and unforeseen crises and events are interfering in a complex way and their repercussions are casting their shadows all over the world. These changes are occurring in the midst of a fast-paced evolution of scientific and technological breakthroughs, an expansion of knowledge economies and societies in addition to what is referred to as the “fourth industrial revolution”, which is bringing forth a drastic change to the quality of life.  

Against the backdrop of a number of major international changes, the world is witnessing a combination of cooperation, rivalry and conflict between nations. There are many different positions and policies being adopted, with ever-changing alliances as well as conflicts between the forces seeking to maintain the established world order and those trying to overturn it.  This situation is described in the literature using terms such as “chaos”, “turmoil” and “disorder”.  

This reality resulted in significant changes to the resources and forms of power in addition to disparities within the global framework of the distribution of power among the military, economic and technological powerhouses further increasing the fluidity and uncertainty of the situation.  

This year, the goal of our conference will be to examine and analyze the various elements of this global situation and in particular to focus on our own region, to investigate the impacts and repercussions on Arab nations and to suggest possible ways to address the challenges and to promote the stabilization. That being said, the term “stability” does not imply stagnation or preservation of the status quo, but rather the adoption of policies and the establishment of institutions that foster structured development and meet demands in order to achieve societal peace and prosperity.

The conference shall gather high level international and Arab officials, in addition to delegations from leading regional and international organizations (the League of the Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Nations, etc), as well as cultural entities, media, think-tanks, experts and academics.

The FIKR Conference Series

Since 2002, FIKR Conference constitutes a landmark in the history of cultural conferences in the Arab World, and an interactive platform for constructive exchange of ideas, expertise and leading experiences. The Conference raises every year and emerging topic affecting the Arab World and addresses it in a scientific, civilized and responsible manner.

The conference brings together more than 600 leading figures representing heads of states and governments, policy-makers, officials, thinkers, intellectuals, researchers, experts, delegates from governmental and non-governmental bodies, international federations, private sectors associations, research and studies centers, cultural and media organizations, and Arab youth.

FIKR Conference seeks to generate the support of regional and international entities to achieve the strategic goals of the Arab Thought Foundation that aim at accomplishing a paradigm cultural shift, as well as to encourage sustainable development on the basis of affluent human values.

Media Contact: Rahul Rutanen-Whaley

Four Communications Fikr@fourcommunications.com 

+971 55 194 3367

© Press Release 2018