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29 March 2024

UAE model of prosperity, opportunities and stable environment to raise family

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By Staff

The Arab Media Forum 2015 ended at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai yesterday with a stirring call to Arabs to take charge of their own destiny and forge a new Arab World based not on ‘confrontation’ but on ‘co-existence’ and ‘prosperity’ for all.

The final day also saw the UAE presented to the world as an oasis of calm in a turbulent region – a model of prosperity, job opportunities and stable social environment – factors that attract people from all corners of the globe to come and live here and enjoy its peaceful, wealth-creating and harmonious lifestyle.

Another highlight was the announcement that Google is going to the next level of search with an effective ‘voice-based’ search engine.

The Arab Media Forum 2015 was inaugurated on Tuesday by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Also present were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, dignitaries and top officials.

The Arab Media Forum 2015 was attended by more than 2,000 media personalities from the region and the wider world. A third of the speakers this year were foreign experts.

In keeping with the ‘2015 Year of Innovation’ in the UAE, AMF 2015 featured two key new concepts – The Media Walk, an informal outdoors-style setting; and Davos-style 20-minute sessions sponsored by Nakheel. Additionally, AMF 2015 also featured workshops. Other major sponsors were DP World and Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA).

In her welcome speech, Mona Al Marri, Director General of the Government of Dubai Media Office, Chairperson of the AMF Organising Committee and President of Dubai Press Club, said the Arab Media Forum was designed to create a blueprint for the future of the Arab World.

The Forum saw a vibrant, honest, frank and open debate as she forecast, which dealt with serious issues – from Yemen to Syria, from Iran to Camp David, from Palestine to Israel, as well as the pervasiveness of the Internet and Social Media.

Key speakers included Iyad Madani, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), Amr Mousa, former Secretary General of the Arab League, Sheikh Salman Sabah Al Salem Al Humoud Al Sabah, Kuwaiti Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Dr. Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs as well as for Federal National Council Affairs.

Amr Mousa sounded a note of optimism when he remarked that Decisive Storm has reignited hope in the Arab World. He said efforts have already begun to create a new Arab World based on co-existence.

”It is our own priority to study our future and work together to shape the future map of the Arab World – and we will do that in the next few months. We have a lot of meetings and discussions going on and we will create happiness for our citizens,” said Amr Mousa.

In his turn, when asked why people from across the world are choosing to live in the UAE, Dr Gargash said he believed that a country that offered prosperity, job opportunities and a stable social environment to raise a family, would always be an attractive destination.

New York Times Op-Ed Columnist, Roger Cohen, said the upcoming Camp David meeting was to assure Gulf states that US would not turn its back on them.

Another major issue that was tackled during the Forum was how the all-pervasive Internet and Social Media has benefitted the people and changed lifestyles and media reporting in the Middle East.

Experts said Social Media cannot anymore be ignored as a source for breaking news, but were of the view ethical standards must be introduced to regulate use and bring credibility.

Social Media has helped replace ‘real’ life with ‘virtual’ life. People feel they can express freely after disguising identity, said Dr Fatima Al Salam, Professor of Journalism and New Media at Kuwait University.

From the media point of view, Internet and Social Media has posed the critical challenge of verification.

“We receive a number of fake videos and pictures but also some authentic ones which you cannot tell right away without subjecting them to verification,” said the Bureau Chief of Associated Press (AP) in Beirut, Zeina Karam.

Speakers said Social Media and mobile technology is cause of chaos in ethics. “Everything produced in Social Media, now called citizen press, should be checked before published or broadcast,” said Dr. Badria Al Beshr, TV Presenter and Host, MBC.

On the other hand, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, Secretary General of Palestinian National Initiative, said the Palestinian Cause has found a most important leeway through social media outlets, even as formal media is becoming indifferent to the Palestine struggle.

Media delegates were told to use the Internet and Social Media to reach their users on the platform and device of the audience’s choice.

Digital media is no more about bringing audiences to your website or platform, but about reaching audiences where they are and on platforms they use, said Meredith Artley, Editor-in-Chief CNN.com.

AMF’s last session on ‘What is the Role of the Artist Today’ was the highlight of Day 2 with its interactive and vibrant interaction with the audience.

Google, Dubai Media Office tie up to boost digital journalism in UAE

In line with the efforts aimed to hone the skills of local digital media, the Government of Dubai Media Office and Google have launched an initiative to train the media sector and provide hand-on experiences and support through workshops to media personalities.
 
The announcement came during the second day of the 14th edition of Arab Media Forum. The two entities revealed that the training programme will include a series of workshops in the UAE throughout the year, delivered by top trainers and product specialists at Google. This programme is to cater for journalists, editors and producers across print, online and broadcast media. The objective of the initiative is to train media across areas like research, visualising data and engaging with audiences.

On the collaboration, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of AMF and President of Dubai Press Club Mona Al Marri expressed her appreciation to Google and the technologies offered to contribute to revolutionising data acquisition. "We are happy to cooperate with such a prominent organisation as Google and hope that through this collaboration media cadres would benefit from training on latest technologies so as to keep abreast with the rapid digital shifts.

For her part, Head of Communication for Google in Mena Joyce Baz said: "Around the world, we have collaborated with journalists, entrepreneurs, innovative and influential news organisations to help support a sustainable news ecosystem and promote innovation in digital journalism. We are very happy to continue our partnership with the Government of Dubai Media Office and want to maximise the huge opportunities of the web in creating great journalism in the UAE."

These workshops will provide an overview on how maps can help journalists tell their story in a compelling and visual way, as well as offer advanced Google Geo tools and features such as APIs which will enable trainees to create Web-based Google charts. Trainees will also learn how to visualise data using Google Maps, the programme intends to guide through all the resources Google offers to journalists.

Arab Media Forum to lay down blueprint of future

In the UAE, optimism is the essence of life and positive energy is the key to success, said Mona Al Marri, Director-General, Government of Dubai Media Office; Chairperson of Arab Media Forum Organising Committee and President of Dubai Press Club.

Welcoming His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who witnessed the opening of the 14th edition of the Arab Media Forum at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on Tuesday, Al Marri said AMF 2015 discussions are being held with this spirit of optimism.

The opening was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated, Mohammed Abdulla Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and a number of senior government officials and media experts.

“A few months ago, Your Highness announced 2015 as the Year of Innovation in the UAE. A few days ago, you revealed the details of the first Arab mission to planet Mars from the UAE, which you named ‘The Hope’. 'Hope' summarises the philosophy of the United Arab Emirates towards excellence and development,” Al Marri said.

She said AMF 2015 is being held with the same philosophy. “Innovation is the key characteristic of our Forum.”
 
New perspectives

This is reflected in the title of the Forum, which is ‘New Perspectives’. AMF 2015 is geared towards developing the Arab Media to face new realities with a spirit of excellence and innovation.

“Today, we face extreme challenges in the region. We should react with open mindedness and honest determination to reach best results.

“In this Forum the new developments will be discussed to form a clear understanding of the future with its opportunities and challenges. We will discuss issues in a serious and honest manner. We will discuss how the West sees Arabs and Muslims. We have seen developments in the region attracting the attention of the world,” Al Marri said.

“We hope that we will be able to create ideas and visions of the future through this Forum,” she added, while wishing dignitaries and delegates a warm welcome.

The Arab Media Forum 2015 is being attended by more than 1,500 delegates from the region and the wider world.

A third of the speakers this year are foreign experts. In keeping with the ‘2015 Year of Innovation’ in the UAE, AMF 2015 features two key new concepts – The Media Walk; and 20-minute sessions sponsored by Nakheel. Additionally, AMF 2015 also features workshops sponsored by DP World.