DOHA: H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, Cultural Adviser at the Emiri Diwan and Qatar’s candidate for the post of Unesco Director-General, has underlined the role of education in raising awareness about peace and fighting terrorism that “emanates from the hotbeds of conflict and the impoverished regions overshadowed by ignorance.”

Addressing representatives of the European Union at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, Dr Al Kawari said, “As I stand here with you, in Belgium, a country that has paid a heavy price in the resistance against terrorism, and in Brussels, a city that truly represents diversity and acceptance as it is the capital of a multilingual and multicultural continent.

“I would like to express my solidarity to the people of Europe in the ongoing fight against terrorism, and at the same time, highlight that terrorism is the enemy of all of humanity, it is transcontinental in scope and it poses an internationally destructive threat to all of us, which obliges us to unite together in order to fight it for the sake of our common human values.”

He called for promoting enrolment of children and women in schools. He highlighting Qatar’s support for major projects in this field, which includes the “Educate A Child” initiative that has helped to educate more than 10 million children around the world, in predominantly educationally deprived areas.

“If we consider that strengthening security in Europe and the world requires supporting people’s choices to build peaceful, civil societies based upon shared knowledge, we definitely should seek to support education initiatives and strive to more greatly achieve gender equality in this important area,” he said.

“In this context, I would like to pay tribute to the women of the European parliament who are struggling to promote the presence of women within the political arena, and thus strengthening the position of women around the world,” he added.

He said being named Man of the Arab Heritage for 2016 makes him specially motivated to “promote Unesco’s leading role in the enactment of legislation that will criminalise individuals and groups who violate our unique global heritage.” “I hereby run as a candidate for the position of Director-General for the upcoming phase because I believe, in my heart, that my years of experience in the diplomatic field, my country’s constant support to Unesco and my initiative program are all timely factors that can help me undertake the responsibility I am entrusted with. I am thoroughly aware of the difficulties that the organization is currently facing, namely in terms of financial resources, open governance and transparency.”

He reiterated his call for a “Global Day for Culture against Terrorism,” stressing that the battle against terrorism is primarily cultural because terrorism resides in the human mind from which it must be cleansed. “Therefore, changing minds and convincing people of the right path is the main task that must be undertaken in order to drain the springs of terrorism.” He also highlight the deepest historical ties, common interests and continuous efforts to consolidate the high common values, which connect Qatar and the Arab and Islamic civilization on one hand with the European people on the other. “These values are represented by the Unesco, which are, specifically, tolerance, rejection of violence, security, stability and prosperity throughout the world. I highly regard the experience of the EU as an ultimate humanitarian, political and cultural experience, as it continually embraces many diverse cultures and languages despite the difficulties imposed by the recent challenges that it is facing at the regional and global levels,” he added. The event took place in coordination between Qatar-EU Friendship Group within the European Parliament and Qatar’s mission to the EU. Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatari Ambassador to Belgium and Head of Qatari mission to the EU and Nato, was present along with senior Belgian dignitaries, European commissioners, Nato officials, European parliamentarians, Arab and foreign ambassadors accredited to Brussels, and permanent representatives to the EU.

The Peninsula