Latest news with #KingAbdulazizCenter
Arab News
3 days ago
- Science
- Arab News
Diriyah Horizon program empowers creative youth
RIYADH: The third Diriyah Horizon youth summer program began on Sunday, organized by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in partnership with several entities to build youth skills and promote cultural and national values. Collaborators include the King Abdulaziz Center for Cultural Communication, Saudi Space Agency, iLMI Science Discovery and Innovation Center, and Mahd Sports Academy. The program offers hands-on learning experiences to enrich participants and boost educational outcomes, the Saudi Press Agency reported. It reflects the authority's commitment to education and social responsibility by providing a dynamic environment filled with diverse, skill-building activities. Running until Aug. 21, the program features six specialized tracks inspired by Diriyah's heritage and values, including 14 workshops. The leadership track covers debate, volunteerism and public speaking. The heritage track explores archeological excavation and traditional mudbrick construction. The creative production track focuses on photography and filmmaking. The science track includes water systems, soil science, sustainable energy and aircraft design. The space track offers interactive sessions on astronomy, space technology and Diriyah's agricultural seasons, while the sports track features fencing and archery. Held Sunday to Thursday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the program aims to shape a conscious, capable generation rooted in Saudi identity. It fosters pride, cultural awareness, creativity, innovation and real-world problem-solving.
Arab News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
From ‘What If?' to ‘Wow!' at children's festival
DHAHRAN: The inaugural Children's Festival being held under the theme 'What if?' at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture is designed to 'inspire imagination, encourage connection, and make space for discovery,' an official told Arab News recently. Nouf Al-Jama, the head of learning at Ithra, added: 'The program invites children to express themselves, engage with their surroundings, and experience culture in new and exciting ways.' The event, which began on July 7 and runs until July 26 between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m., blends creativity, learning, play and discovery. The festival features 50 diverse activities including live performances, interactive stations, creative zones, workshops and a book fair, to encourage critical and creative thinking. • The Children's Festival's artistic zones invite kids and their families to explore color, motion, and self-expression. • The five-day Children's Book Fair runs until July 19 and includes 20 local and international publishing houses. • South Korea is this year's guest of honor, offering a window into its culture through stories and illustrations. The artistic zones invite children and their families to explore color, motion, and self-expression. One such experience combines rhythm and culinary arts, transforming everyday kitchen utensils into instruments of sound and joy. '(The festival) gives children the freedom to express themselves and feel heard — whether through painting in the interactive art space, uncovering clues in the museum adventure, or stepping onto the open mic stage,' said Al-Jama. The sessions have experts from local and regional institutions including the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, Abu Dhabi Children's Library, House of Wisdom in Sharjah, and King Abdulaziz Public Library. Parents and guardians are invited to join workshops, engage in conversations with other parents and build memories. 'It is this sense of togetherness, where children and families learn and grow side by side, that makes the festival so special,' Al-Jama added. With schools closed and summertime in full swing, local children are immersing themselves in the festival. 'The response so far has been incredibly encouraging. From the very first day, we have seen families arriving early and staying for hours, moving from one experience to the next. 'Children have embraced the festival with curiosity and confidence,' she said of the opening week. Additionally, the five-day Children's Book Fair at Ithra runs until July 19, and includes 20 local and international publishing houses specializing in literature for children and young adults. South Korea is this year's guest of honor, offering a window into its culture through stories and illustrations. 'It is part of Ithra's ongoing efforts to support the next generation by using culture as a tool for exploration, growth, and shared experience,' Al-Jama said.
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Ithra Children's Festival inspires creativity, curiosity
RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Ithra, on Monday launched its inaugural Children's Festival, themed 'What If?', the Saudi Press Agency reported. The festival combines creativity, learning, play, and exploration in an interactive setting to foster critical thinking, nurture imagination, and develop essential skills. Running until July 26 at Ithra's headquarters in Dhahran, the festival offers 50 activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire creative thinking. These include hands-on workshops, live performances, water and family challenges, art spaces that encourage exploration and questioning, and a book exchange where children can swap books. An interactive exhibition allows children to transform large white models into colorful artworks using foam tubes, the SPA reported. The festival will also host the fifth Children's Book Fair from July 14-19, featuring 20 local and international publishers specializing in children's and young adult literature. This year's fair highlights South Korea as the guest of honor, with book signings, panel discussions, workshops, and opportunities to meet experts.
Arab News
14-06-2025
- Health
- Arab News
MENA's digital transformation must not ignore well-being
To the casual observer, the digital transformation sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa region appears dazzling, changing the way people learn, work and connect. With some of the highest internet and smartphone penetration rates globally, the region's transformation is powered by ambitious national visions, youthful populations and robust telecommunications infrastructures. But amid this momentum, the notion of digital well-being is becoming vital to ensure progress does not come at the expense of quality of life. The National University of Singapore has crystallized the concept of 'digital well-being' as the cultivation of a healthy, balanced and meaningful relationship with technology. This means being aware of both the benefits and the risks of online activities, understanding how digital engagement affects mental, emotional and social health, and learning how to manage the factors — such as screen time, online engagement and content exposure — that influence our overall digital experience. Used wisely and responsibly, digital tools can help societies advance in many realms, such as expanding access to knowledge, boosting workplace productivity, promoting creative self-expression and engaging with communities of interest. As governments and policymakers grapple with the implications of a hyperconnected world, initiatives like the Global Digital Wellbeing Index — launched by the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture — offer vital insights into how digital technologies affect people's well-being worldwide. This index, the first global benchmark of its kind, draws on 35,000 interviews across 35 countries and 12 pillars, including social cohesion, physical and mental health, the ability to disconnect, information quality, entertainment and culture, and access to services and goods. It aims to capture how equipped countries are to reap digital opportunities while shielding their citizens from risks. While digital technologies have brought undeniable convenience, connectivity and productivity to modern life, their impacts on physical and mental well-being are hard to ignore. Last year, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development published a report titled 'The Impact of Digital Technologies on Well-Being,' in which it highlighted the growing links between digital tools and well-being. For instance, the report emphasized the growing mental health risks associated with frequent digital technology use, such as anxiety, depression, loneliness and stress. Physically, the extended use of digital technologies has been linked to obesity, poor posture, poor sleep quality, neck and eye strain, and other musculoskeletal issues — primarily due to sedentary behavior and excessive screen time. It is imperative to counter the ever-growing risks of harmful content and misinformation that circulate on digital platforms. Sara Al-Mulla And yet, digital transformation could be a game-changer for the MENA region, unlocking enormous economic and social gains. According to a report published by the World Bank, if digital transformation is leveraged in a competitive manner, the region has the potential to increase gross domestic product per capita by more than 40 percent. Employment in manufacturing could also rise by 7 percent, while tourist arrivals may see a 70 percent jump. Even more promising, digitalization could alleviate long-term unemployment, bringing it to near-zero, while doubling women's participation in the workforce to more than 40 percent. Many countries are already leading the way. Launched in 2021, the UAE's National Policy for Digital Wellbeing was introduced with the aim of fostering safe, purposeful and positive digital communities. Another example is Saudi Arabia's signature Sync initiative, which was launched as part of the country's growing focus on digital well-being. This awareness and preventive program focuses on encouraging healthier tech habits in order to curb the rising toll of screen overuse on society. France offers a compelling case study, as it issued a law in 2017 enshrining the 'right to disconnect,' meaning employees are not obliged to answer work-related calls or emails outside their working hours. Meanwhile, Singapore and the UK have embedded digital mental health frameworks into school curricula. And Australia made global headlines last year by becoming the first country to pass a law banning children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. To enhance digital well-being in the MENA region, several potential policy and legislative interventions warrant greater attention. Governments should develop evidence-based digital well-being frameworks based on key components that collectively contribute to well-being. Engaging academia would be advantageous in order to examine the impacts of digital technologies on mental and physical health in the region, paving the way for tailored policies, legislation and health services. Education is a logical starting point and schools can embed well-being principles into curricula to empower students to upskill and use digital technologies mindfully, thereby minimizing the detrimental effects on their physical and mental health. For instance, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health tackles this issue on its official website, offering screen time recommendations for children up to 18 years old, in line with guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Governments could also support workshops, community programs and mental health counseling to counter rising incidents of cyberbullying, anxiety, depression and social isolation. At the same time, parents and teachers must be empowered through awareness programs, such as utilizing parental control tools on popular apps. Creating safe digital spaces, particularly for vulnerable groups, calls for strong data protection measures and bold anti-cyberbullying policies. Age-appropriate regulations that protect children online are key and considering capping the time they spend on social media could be worthwhile. Additionally, it is imperative to counter the ever-growing risks of harmful content and misinformation that circulate on digital platforms, such as misleading health information. Connectivity and universal access should remain a priority, particularly with digital economic empowerment being a high priority for MENA governments. This entails investing in strong telecommunications infrastructures and deploying upskilling programs to pave the way for workforces to adopt future-ready jobs. In the workplace, digital nomad visas and flexible work policies should be promoted, with legal protections supporting the right to disconnect from work. The MENA region has the opportunity to carve out a path toward a healthier, more mindful digital society. • Sara Al-Mulla is an Emirati civil servant with an interest in human development policy and children's literature. She can be contacted at
Asharq Al-Awsat
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia's Ithra Unveils Cultural Events for Eid al-Adha
The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran will host 31 cultural and artistic events to celebrate Eid al-Adha. The events will take place from June 7 to 9 and are tailored to engage all family members, combining entertainment, education, and cultural enrichment. Highlights of the program include 'Eid Stories' at the Ithra Library and 'Celebration in Every Tune,' a vibrant interactive show that celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the Islamic world through music and storytelling. The Ithra Museum will also feature exhibitions spotlighting traditional handicrafts, aligning with the national Year of Handicrafts initiative. Programs will also include interactive educational experiences, film screenings, and art installations reflecting local culture. Workshops for both children and adults will focus on various forms of giving.
