KUWAIT HOSTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROLE OF

UNCLAS KUWAIT 005283 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR S/CT AND NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PREL PGOV PHUM SOCI KU TERRORISM SUBJECT: KUWAIT HOSTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROLE OF EDUCATION IN COMBATING TERRORISM AND EXTREMISM ¶1. Kuwaiti Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Rashid Al-Hamad opened on December 26 "The First International Conference on the Educational Dimensions in the Treatment of Terrorism and Extremism Phenomenon." The two-day conference brought together representatives from 27 different countries and organizations from the Arab world, Europe, and the Americas to explore how to use education to quash the growth of extremist ideals and behavior. Saying terrorism and extremism represent serious threats, especially to Gulf states, Al-Hamad recommended caution in curricula design, called for greater respect of and tolerance for the opinions of others, and urged the media to report on terrorist activities in a more professional and balanced manner. The Ambassador attended the opening ceremony and EmbOffs attended other sessions held in both the morning and evening. ¶2. The conference had four overriding goals: -- Fostering exchanges among experts to explore educational means for promoting social integration as well as national and international security; -- Developing a broad base for understanding the issues that fuel conflict and give rise to terrorism; -- Bridging the gap between ideas and practical measures for addressing social unrest; and -- Establishing partnerships between government and non-governmental bodies in dealing with extremism and violence. Under these themes, speakers -- among them Kuwaiti Undersecretary for Higher Education Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah; Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Abdullah Al-Matouq; Secretary General of the GCC Ibrahim Al-Dawsari; Arab League SIPDIS Representative Nancy Bakeer; and Director General of the Islamic Organization of Education, Science, and Cultural Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Tuweijari -- focused on the need for greater international cooperation, raised concerns about the lack of productive activities for young people, and stressed that Islam is a peaceful religion. Among the handouts for participants was a book detailing with excerpts from the Holy Qur'an the rights of non-Muslims in Muslim countries. ¶3. There was a special session for teenagers on December 24 which produced a list of recommendations for the conferees: create more leisure activities for youth, include young people in the decision-making process, convene more conference on combating terrorism for younger audiences, create volunteer programs for young people, establish guidelines on the publication and dissemination of violent material, and increase anti-discrimination efforts. Chairman and Director General of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports Shaykh Fahad Al-Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was pleased with the youth participation and said their interest in and commitment to combating terrorism boded well for the future of Kuwait and the Arab world. ¶4. Note: Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah told the Ambassador that the next meeting would be timed to avoid the Christmas holidays in order to better attract participants from the U.S. and Europe. End note. ********************************************* Visit Embassy Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website ********************************************* LeBaron