Nahyan bin Mubarak: The UAE has come to embody the values ​​of tolerance, coexistence and human brotherhood in their highest meanings

Participants in the "Global Media Congress" call for addressing "social media" rumors

Al-Marri during the "Dynamics of Media Experts in the Field of Digital Information" session.

Photography: Najeeb Mohamed

Officials and specialists in the field of media, politics and research called, during their participation in the working sessions held yesterday as part of the activities of the World Media Congress in Abu Dhabi, to strengthen joint cooperation to address rumors spread by programs and social media, especially those spread by political Islam groups with the aim of destabilizing countries and societies.

They stressed that the countries of the region suffer from a lack of research and studies centers, due to problems related to funding, despite its importance in decision-making and future directions, calling for work to establish more such centers to develop policies and trends in the media sector and enable the media to keep pace with changes.

In detail, the World Media Congress continued its convening for the second day in a row, amidst international participation and a large global presence of leaders, pioneers, specialists, influencers and experts in the global media sector.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, stressed in a speech he delivered during the opening of the activities of the second day of the World Media Congress, on the occasion of the International Day for Tolerance, that the UAE, under the wise leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, has become and embodies the values ​​of Tolerance, coexistence and human brotherhood in their highest meanings. A country proud of its values ​​and principles. A country of cultural and civilizational openness. It plays a pioneering and tangible role in developing relations of acquaintance, dialogue and joint action throughout the world.

He stressed that the position of the UAE and its leading role in the world in the field of tolerance, coexistence and dialogue is embodied in the establishment of a specialized ministry for tolerance and coexistence that I have the honor to represent. Universities, media and communication in order to strengthen the values ​​of tolerance and coexistence in society.

The Ministry also works to provide opportunities for everyone to contribute successfully to the march of society and the world without extremism, fanaticism, segregation or discrimination.

He said that an objective view of what has been achieved and is being achieved in the Emirates in the areas of tolerance and coexistence indicates a number of clear results represented in the following: «Openness to the world and the adoption of the principles of tolerance and coexistence is a sure expression of self-confidence, confidence in the homeland, strong concern for national identity, and displaying its characteristics. Distinguished in front of the whole world, in addition to that this also expresses our conviction in the Emirates, that all human beings are members of one human society, in which everyone works together in order to achieve good and prosperity in all parts of the world, and that the concept of one human society has been confirmed in the Abu Dhabi Document For Human Fraternity, which was issued in Abu Dhabi in 2019.

He stressed the importance of the role of media and communication in developing the capacities of local and global communities to adopt the principles of tolerance and human brotherhood.

In addition, a dialogue session held under the title “The Role of Media in Developing Tolerant Societies” with the participation of Robin Banerjee, a writer and former editor in Outlook magazine from India, and Caroline Faraj, Vice President of CNN and Editor-in-Chief of CNN Arabia, shed light. The importance of promoting a culture of tolerance among societies and working to implement it in all media channels.

They agreed on the importance of the role of social media influencers in spreading a culture of tolerance among members of society, and that it is necessary to exploit their ability to influence the public, and to achieve this, this culture must be consolidated among them and directed in this regard to contribute to the creation of societies based on tolerance.

The discussion session entitled “The Dynamics of Media Experts in the Field of Digital Information” dealt with the importance of funding think tanks and research, linking them and strengthening the relationship between them and the media in order to explore the future.

The session was attended by former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy, Director General of the Media Office of the Government of Dubai, Mona Ghanem Al Marri, and Director General of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, Dr. Sultan Al Nuaimi.

Participants stressed the importance of reducing the gap between research centers, and supporting research centers for the media in a way that contributes to spreading awareness, enriching expertise, and contributing to decision-making. Therefore, attention should be paid to funding research centers as a source of knowledge and information, and a mirror that reflects the aspirations of young people, as is the case with the media. The sobriety of deep thought of the ancient think tanks cannot be ignored.

The participants stressed the need for research centers and the media to work together as partners, not only to convey information and news, but also to provide the public with details that are likely to affect the course of life in societies, stressing the need to know facts, not just news.

Mona Al-Marri, Director General of the Media Office of the Dubai Government, indicated in the session that the weakness of the Arab media is due to the lack of investment in research centers, calling for the importance of investing in study centers in terms of its importance in shaping the future and in order to improve the Arab media sector, stressing the importance of the role of Research centers and their relationship to the media are evident in times of crisis, and the biggest example of this is the “Covid-19” crisis.

She also emphasized the importance of giving opportunity to young talents in research and study centers to be able to develop and keep pace with changes, pointing out that the media needs correct information coming from a credible research center.

She emphasized that research centers will always be essential not only for the media but also for countries. Great powers are based on research, even US presidents are either from research centers or join research centers after the end of their presidential term, which reflects the importance of the role these centers play in decision-making and policies. Noting that the media today is also a means for the state, as it is the means that communicates the decisions taken within the research centers.

She said: “Research centers in our region are very few. They do not help the media or even decision-makers in setting clear policies that the media can transmit to society. There is a problem in financing research centers in our region, unlike Western countries that fund more than 8,000 research centers at the international level.” The world, although these centers may serve certain agendas and policies, and the Arab region is being harmed, and our role becomes to defend the false reports issued by some of these centers, and false and fabricated information.

On the other hand, the second session, which was held under the title "Metaverse", with the participation of Alex Joby, head of digital strategy in "The National" newspaper, and senior director of the Cloud Center of Excellence in "Etisalat", Eng. Adnan Kashwani, highlighted how Metaverse can be a useful component of technologies. new.

Attendees also learned how phone numbers have become part of people's identity in the Middle East and North Africa region with the increasing importance of 5G technology.

The panel discussion focused on the audience's need to establish a virtual presence in the world. Participants touched on the development of traditional media in a two-way relationship with social media and the Internet to enhance interaction, as well as important practical considerations, with potential challenges in the field of security and the Internet.

In the session, which was organized under the title “From Inside the Entertainment Industry in the Middle East and North Africa,” Mark Whitehead, CEO of twofour54, and Yomna Nofal, Director of Brunswick, discussed the exciting momentum of the entertainment industry in the golden age of content. Despite the perceived challenges and headwinds as the pandemic slows down, the region is vibrant in supporting content creators with high-profile stakeholders in Bollywood and Hollywood coming to Abu Dhabi.

Participants also discussed in a discussion session entitled “The Role of Merger of Media Centers in the Future of the Media Sector,” the active role that media cities play in developing the media sector.

Participants emphasized the importance of providing an integrated work environment and investing in media competencies and content makers to enhance their creative capabilities and provide all requirements for creating integrated media content that keeps pace with the requirements of the times. Integrated media outputs that meet the various aspirations and requirements of the public, and achieve continuous development in this field.

A dialogue session entitled “Discussing the Role of Short Videos in Changing the Features of the Media Sector” dealt with several topics, including the popularity of short videos that have increased recently. The session reviewed current statistics that indicate that individuals use more than one means of communication at the same time, and the necessity Enhancing the efforts of institutions to ensure the production of integrated and concise media content to meet the aspirations of the audience who prefer short videos.

Mona Al-Marri:

• "The weakness of the Arab media is due to the lack of investment in research centers."

virtual presence

Alex Jobai, Head of the Digital Strategy Department at The National, and Executive Director of the Center of Excellence for Cloud Computing at Etisalat, Adnan Kashwani, highlighted the ways in which Metaverse can be beneficial to modern technologies, as phone numbers have become part of people's identity in the region. The Middle East and North Africa, in conjunction with the increasing importance of fifth generation technologies, and trust in telecommunications companies that we clearly inform about the various aspects of our lives.

The interview focused on the need for people to establish a virtual presence in a world where innovators and influencers have an additional advantage. Kashwani explained the evolution of traditional media into a two-way relationship that branches out to social media and the Internet, a relationship whose primary goal is to enhance interactions and participation.

He pointed out the importance of taking into account the practical and effective aspects, especially in light of the challenges in the field of security solutions and cyberbullying.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news