Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KUWAIT5283
2005-12-28 09:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:  

KUWAIT HOSTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ROLE OF

Tags:  PTER PREL PGOV PHUM SOCI KU TERRORISM 
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VZCZCXRO7660
PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHMOS RUEHPW
DE RUEHKU #5283 3620934
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 280934Z DEC 05
FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2344
INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE
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

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.

*********************************************
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http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/

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