Alwaleed Philanthropies (AP), chaired by HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz AlSaud, has announced launching its "Ambassadors of Peaceful Dialogue" program in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND) during a press conference held at the center's headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday, January 11, 2016. Attending the launch event and participating in a panel discussion was HRH Princess Lamia bint Majed AlSaud, Secretary General of Alwaleed Philanthropies. Panel participants from KACND included Mr. Faisal Bin Muammar, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees and KACND Secretary General, along with representatives from the education and development sector. In his opening remarks, Mr. Faisal Bin Muammar praised Alwaleed Philanthropies for its commitment to investing in youth by providing them with the education and skills that help improve self-knowledge and enhance overall awareness. He emphasized the importance of these teachings in order to understand the changes in global civilization, create innovative tools that add to the authentication of national identity, and help cultivate awareness of transformations in a contemporary world. Bin Muammar reiterated that the Ambassadors of Peaceful Dialogue program is designed for high school students - the generation's future leaders who will be capable of facing challenges and initiating creative solutions. Aligning with the Kingdom's 2030 Vision, the Ambassadors of Peaceful Dialogue program focuses on extensive training in interfaith dialogue, social cohesion, positive outreach and engagement with members of different religions and sects. Finally, Bin Muammar thanked Dr. Abdullah Al Manaa, General Manager of Education in Riyadh as well as thanking the team that helped facilitate the program launch. Commenting on the occasion, HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed AlSaud, Alwaleed Philanthropies' Secretary General, and Member of the Board of Trustees said: "We at Alwaleed Philanthropies understand the crucial role that interfaith dialogue plays in promoting harmonious and socially cohesive communities. Through this program and the valuable partnerships we have created, we hope that young men and women in Saudi Arabia will become ambassadors among their peers and inspire positive thinking and acceptance of others, whatever their religion, gender or background." Her Royal Highness also added: "civilizations are built of foundations of education and knowledge as the essence of progress and development. The partnership between AP, KACND, and the Ministry of Education to launch this initiative is a true representation of combining efforts in tackling extremism by spreading the importance of peaceful dialogue and acceptance amongst society. After equipping students and teachers with the ability to cope with different cultures and religions, we will witness a generation that promotes tolerance, and focuses on the commonalities amongst different groups, as opposed to the differences." Running over the course of two years and lasting until 2018, the program will be implemented across four phases. The first phase depends on the development of communication skills, whereas the second phase is set to teach civil dialogue. The third phase following civil dialogue includes courses on critical thinking and then finally self-assessment through discussions and seminars that support open conversation, innovation and creativity with the aim of healing divides and increasing understanding. Founded in 2003, The King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue is an independent national organization, which seeks to promote and develop channels of intellectual dialogue between Saudi citizens, the different segments of Saudi society, and Saudi institutions. It also aims to establish and diffuse the culture of dialogue within the society. The Center also undertakes the study and discussion of issues of national importance which affect the lives of Saudi citizens, and participates in the advancement of the nation through facilitating the participation of all the different groups, points of view and institutions in Saudi society through dialogue. For over 37 years, Alwaleed Philanthropies has supported and initiated projects in over 124 countries regardless of gender, race, or religion. We collaborate with a range of philanthropic, government, and educational organizations to combat poverty, empower women and youth, develop communities, provide disaster relief and create cultural understanding through education. Together, we can build bridges for a more compassionate, tolerant, and accepting world.
