Misk Global Forum urges intergenerational dialogue, youth upskilling, to boost knowledge economy

Hosted at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the forum began on Wednesday. (Supplied)
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Updated 10 November 2022
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Misk Global Forum urges intergenerational dialogue, youth upskilling, to boost knowledge economy

  • Financial support key to empowerment, says energy minister
  • Talks held by top officials, intellectuals, artists, sports people

RIYADH: The two-day Misk Global Forum here saw some of the world’s leading intellectuals, officials, academics, influencers, sports people and artists gather to discuss how to boost the knowledge economy by bridging the gap between young and older people, developing new leaders and empowering communities.

The MGF, the flagship global platform of the Misk Foundation, established in 2016, has extended Misk’s mission to young people across the globe through international events, research and global initiatives. The forum ran from Nov. 9 to 10.

The event “brings together emerging and established leaders, innovators, and creators to explore, experience and experiment with ways to meet the challenge of change,” according to the forum’s website.

Hosted at King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the forum began on Wednesday with the theme of “Multigenerational dialogue to break barriers and inspire change.”

One of the most well-attended sessions of the first day was titled “Generations of the Future,” which featured a conversation between Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, the Saudi minister of energy, and Omar Al-Jeraisy, the founder of the Socrates podcast. The two discussed ways to enable and empower young people to build society.

“To empower the youth, you have to enable an economic environment that gives them ownership,” said Prince Abdulaziz.

“Change is a journey, not a destination. It cannot be achieved unless there is a leadership that enables youth,” Al-Jeraisy said.

Another discussion on day one was led by Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, the co-founder and CEO of Chill Food Center, who focused on ways to leverage intergenerational dialogue to raise awareness and destigmatize mental health.

She stressed the importance of these conversations during a UN Sustainable Development Goals circle discussion titled “Good Health and Wellbeing.”

“I am speaking about mental health and how the young and older generations can work together to create solutions that we can come up with for depression and anxiety. We discussed the idea of implementing a platform for the younger and older generation(s) to collaborate on finding new ways of addressing mental health,” Kaliisa told Arab News.

“These conversations are very important because if you are depressed, it is going to affect what you are going to do,” she added.

Intellectual and influencer Jay Shetty hosted a session focusing on how millennials and Gen Z can create and implement a unique purpose in the world. He then answered several questions from the audience on what it means to have success, how to handle pressure, and develop satisfaction and happiness in the workplace and in personal life.

“A lot of people think their profession has to be their purpose and the truth is that not every single hobby or purpose or passion can be turned into a career,” Shetty said.

“So if you are someone who has to go to work every day to make money and to pay the bills to take care of your family and you use your spare time in the evenings and the weekends to do what you’re passionate about, that’s a beautiful balance,” he added.

In the afternoon, Palestinian American standup comedian, Mo Amer, took to the stage in a fireside chat to discuss his journey, the power of comedy, and the importance of staying grounded while looking into the future.

“It’s important to understand your art form and tip the hat to those before you. Otherwise, all that hard work of the generations before you is lost. We have to keep the connection to the past alive,” Amer said.

The cities of the future were discussed in a session led by Alaa Al-Ban, chair of the interior design department and assistant professor at Dar Al-Hekma University, featuring Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Gate Development Authority, and David Henry, CEO of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City.

“The cities of the future are generally expansions of existing cities. Proximity, living, and employment are what is important for the cities of the future,” Henry said.

In a session titled “We are Family,” Maha Al-Juffali, director and acting trustee at the Help Center, Daniah Ghandour, board member at the Help Center, and Marilyn Zakhour, CEO of Cosmic Centaurs, discussed philanthropy in Saudi Arabia. They also touched on the importance of family as an anchor to uphold intergenerational values, and address societal changes and transformations.

The second day of the forum saw participants discuss an array of topics including podcasting, e-sports broadcasting, intercultural communication, and innovation skills.


Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir heads Saudi delegation at inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs attends Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass

  • The pope began his inauguration mass on Sunday, marking the official start of his papacy
  • He arrived in St Peter’s Square in the white Popemobile, waving to the crowds

RIYADH: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Climate Affairs Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir headed Saudi Arabia’s delegation participating in the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV, Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The pope began his inauguration mass on Sunday, marking the official start of his papacy. He arrived in St Peter’s Square in the white Popemobile, waving to the crowds.

The Kingdom’s ambassador to Italy Prince Faisal bin Sattam bin Abdulaziz also attended the mass.


Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says

Updated 18 May 2025
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Plan smarter to ‘unlock future prosperity,’ Saudi housing minister says

  • Project management leaders gather in Riyadh to discuss best practices in alignment with Vision 2030
  • More than 133,000 entities in the Kingdom working on range of construction projects

RIYADH: Project management is “one of the most important drivers of national trust,” Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail told a conference in Riyadh on Sunday.

Saudi Vision 2030 was created to paint a prosperous future that will reinvent the economic, social, and developmental reality of the Kingdom, Al-Hogail added.

Project management plays a pivotal role at the governmental level by improving the execution and quality control of numerous projects, in full alignment with national goals and targets, he said.

The fourth Global Project Management Forum, with Arab News as a media partner, began its first day of discussions with more than 120 speakers.

The event brings together experts for workshops and dialogue on the best practices in the industry, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s rapid development under Vision 2030.

“Today, we are witnessing accelerating changes and rising challenges … at the heart of (the solutions) is project management to reshape our spaces, meet the needs of the people, and enhance overall sustainability,” said Al-Hogail.

“At the housing and municipality sector, we design projects to meet the dreams of households.”

According to the minister, more than 133,000 entities in the Kingdom are working on a wide range of construction projects.

“This kind of momentum cannot be achieved without project management, which starts with the people and their focus on the conscious planning, flexibility in execution, and ability to adapt to new changes.”

Project management has become smarter, he said, with a strong ability to predict and plan sustainably, and with the potential to help build a strong nation with a diversified economy.

The two-day forum will feature 50 strategic and technical sessions, and include more than 40 exhibitors. A total of 60 agreements will be signed to develop partnerships between entities.


Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Updated 18 May 2025
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Saudi deputy minister receives Russia, Ukraine envoys

Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Russia to the Kingdom Sergey Kozlov in Riyadh on Sunday.

In a separate meeting, Al-Rassi received Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom Anatolii Petrenko, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.

During the meetings, all sides discussed bilateral relations as well as prominent developments in regional and international arenas.


Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

Updated 18 May 2025
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Riyadh event highlights the role of Saudi museums in the age of social change

  • Cultural objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in focus at three-day event

RIYADH: In recognition of International Museum Day, the National Museum of Riyadh hosted, a cultural event under the theme: “The future of museums in rapidly changing societies.”

The event, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Museums Commission, ran from May 15 to 17 and highlighted the role of museums in social change, innovation and youth engagement.

The program included workshops, debates, performances and interactive activities, all aligned with the cultural goals of Vision 2030.

A special session took place with Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar, president of the Saudi National Committee of the International Council of Museums.

During this open discussion, Princess Haifa emphasized the importance of considering the specific situation of museums depending on their location and level of development. While some institutions demonstrate real dynamism, others are struggling to keep up.

“The efforts to modernize and renovate certain museums are clear. However, other museums face challenges in trying to catch up,” she said.

She stressed the need to revise the legislative framework and encourage private investment to support growth in the sector:

“Our museum system is currently being reviewed, and legislation is needed that encourages investment. Supporting the creation of museums in smaller buildings helps to facilitate funding.”

Regarding the frequent criticisms of so-called “traditional” museums, she offered a more nuanced view.

“There are traditional museums that are changing and remain popular, which proves they still serve the public. Sometimes, traditional museums fail to attract the public, even more so than innovative museums.”

She also referred to the significant transformations underway in the Kingdom, supported by a government body dedicated to the museum sector.

“We are in the midst of a radical transformation with a body entirely dedicated to museums, that supports positive change and offers opportunities for progress.”

As the longstanding head of the Saudi ICOM committee, Princess Haifa reminded the audience that Saudi Arabia is actively involved in international dialogue and decision-making:

“This year, we participated in the revision of a code of ethics established in previous years to recognize what constitutes a museum. We are currently translating certain museological references into Arabic.”

Human resources were another key focus of her speech. She identified several obstacles, especially language barriers and the lack of specialized training.

“The first challenge is the language factor. Frankly, we must acknowledge these issues, particularly the importance of the English language,

“We absolutely need specialized schools, partnerships with universities, training opportunities in our field, and specializations such as museum management and exhibition security.”

Despite the challenges, she expressed optimism, welcoming ongoing partnerships with Saudi universities — particularly in the Eastern Province — and the creation of new professional qualifications.

“This is a diploma that is about to become a master’s degree. Museums are not merely storage spaces; they were designed to be places of restoration and rehabilitation. Today, they have become vital centers offering programs for all segments of society.”

In the context of cultural and social transformation, the ongoing reflection on the role of museums in Saudi society reflects a clear ambition: to transform museums into vibrant, inclusive and forward-looking institutions.

Reporting to the Ministry of Culture, the Saudi Museums Commission is a public body whose mission is to develop, modernize, and supervise museums throughout the Kingdom, whether public or private.

It supports the creation of new museums, promotes heritage, encourages innovation — particularly in the digital space — and fosters cultural education.


Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases perform experiments at holy sites near Makkah
Updated 18 May 2025
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Weqaa runs experiments to improve Hajj health measures

  • The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah
  • The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj

RIYADH: The National Center for the Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Animal Diseases, Weqaa, performed two experiments at holy sites near Makkah before the start of Hajj season this year.

The first experiment focused on the detection of desert locusts in Muzdalifah, where a group of experts conducted surveillance, control and evaluation of locust populations.

The second experiment focused on studying the possibility of an outbreak of an animal epidemic during the sacrifice of livestock in Hajj.

This involved a team from Weqaa, in collaboration with other agencies, activating an emergency response plan and carrying out investigations and containment measures.

Ghalib Al-Saedi, director of Weqaa in the Makkah region, said that the experiments were carried out to enhance field readiness, improve response efficiency and assess interagency coordination, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Hajj draws millions of pilgrims to Makkah every year, increasing health risks and requiring high-quality public health services to prevent disease outbreaks, manage emergencies and ensure the safety of pilgrims.

The experiments were conducted in partnership with organizations in the Makkah region, including the Makkah branch of the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, and the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.