Knowledge is key to development, dialogue, and peace globally

Knowledge is the key to development, dialogue and peace for future generations worldwide," said Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group, and Founder and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Kalimat Foundation for Children’s Empowerment.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi’s remarks came during the first meeting of Kalimat Foundation’s Board of Trustees, which took place at the Al Majaz waterfront. Held in the presence of Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Vice-Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Kalimat Foundation, Majid Jafar, Treasurer, and Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates to the United Nations, and Board member, the meeting underlined the need to provide books and reading material to children in underprivileged areas and in regions affected by crises and conflicts.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi welcomed the board members and thanked them for their support and contribution to the achievement of the humanitarian vision and objectives of the Kalimat Foundation, which aims to ensure that every child in the world can enjoy easy access to books and other sources of knowledge, as well as to raise community awareness about the importance of reading for a better future.

"Children in many parts of the world do not have access to books and find it difficult to acquire knowledge due to the challenging circumstances in their countries. These adverse situations are threatening their future and preventing them from achieving their dreams and ambitions," Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said.

"At Kalimat Foundation we believe that it is essential for us to work towards ensuring the future of these children through the medium of books. Ultimately, we aim to create an educated generation that can understand the concepts of dialogue and peace and who are able to utilise knowledge to service their communities and humanity. Part of our operational scope also sees us providing books for special groups of children around the world who have difficulty reading, in particular children who are visually impaired," Sheikha Bodour added.

The first meeting of Kalimat Foundation’s Board of Trustees discussed the plans of the foundation and the required mechanisms to activate its role as an Emirati initiative dedicated to serving humanity. It reiterated that this responsibility was in line with its belief in the right of all children to have access to books and to obtain knowledge, irrespective of their nationality, cultural background, religion or social status.

"Many countries across the world are witnessing instability because of war, conflict and natural disasters. Consequently, children in these countries are suffering in many respects, including finding it extremely difficult to acquire knowledge. Their predicament is to risk their lives to get access to books or to risk their future without them. Such inhumane circumstances take away children’s basic right to learn and this is the challenge that Kalimat Foundation for Children’s Empowerment seeks to overcome," Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi said.

During the meeting, board member and ambassador Lana Nusseibeh highlighted the UAE's humanitarian approach, which distinguished itself through its efforts across the world. She also outlined how the country launches initiatives to help fraternal and friendly countries, as well as rehabilitates affected peoples by providing them with the necessary means to live in better conditions. She added that providing children with books is a vital humanitarian initiative because of their role in fostering noble human values.