Justice Minister Opens National Day Forum

Doha, December 14 (QNA) - HE Minister of Justice Hassan Bin Abdullah Al-Ghanem has opened the National Day Forum 2011', which is being organized by Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (QF) as part of its celebrations for Qatar National Day. The Forum's participants include elite academics and other education, sociology and media experts who will discuss the younger generation’s cultural identity in the modern age. The two-day Forum, held under the slogan of Youths ready to take on globalization through identity preservation, will seek ways to bolster nationalism amongst its youth. In his opening speech, HE Al-Ghanim underscored the keenness of various society institutions on taking care of youngsters while handing down different aspects the culture be it beliefs, values, religious and social customs, traditions, and historical events. The Minister of Justice commended the efforts of Qatar National Day's Organizing Committee over the past three years, pointing out that many of its previous events focused on one of Qatari symbols, a matter that enhanced and made new generations feel more proud of and loyal to this country. He added that the participation of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development in the celebration of National Day stems from its conviction that investment in Qatari man will be the best contribution. In the Forum s first session, Associate Professor at Qatar University (QU) Dr. Kaltham Ali Al Ghanim will speak on national identity and its significance in social integration. Shortly following, the director of Media Training and Development Centre of Al Jazeera Network, Dr. Abdul Aziz Mohammed Al Horr, will speak about the role of identity in fostering cultural harmony. The second session, titled 'Threats to Cultural Identity,' Associate Professor of Mental Health at QU Dr. Asmaa Abdullah Al Attiyah, will explore means of protecting children from identity loss in the era of globalization. Dr. Hassan bin Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, Vice-Chairman of the Permanent Population Committee, will also speak on Qatar s demographic structure and its impact on Qatari identity. The second day of the Forum, Associate Professor at QU Dr. Abdul Nasser Saleh, and Dr. Rabia Sabah Al-Kuwari, Assistant Professor of Mass Communication and Chairman of Faculty at QU, will also discuss how to prevent identity loss in Qatari children. Head of Educational Sciences at QU Dr. Ghadnana Saeed Al-Ben Ali will also take part in the Forum s second day, where she will tackle the role of educational curricula in promoting loyalty and patriotism amongst the youth. Reem Al Mansoori, the manager of ICT Skills Development of Supreme Council of Information and Communication Technology (ictQATAR), will explore the role of information and communication technology to emphasize Qatar s national identity. The Forum will conclude its activities on the second day with a presentation by Mohammed M. Al Badr, Head of Graphics and Promotions at Al Jazeera Sports Channel, who will demonstrate the role of cinema to manifest national identity. By organizing this Forum, Qatar Foundation remains committed to its goals of unlocking human potential in local communities and to building a modern society with strong cultural values. Preserving Qatari traditions will directly meet the needs of society, realizing the greater mission of achieving a knowledge-based economy in Qatar and worldwide. (QNA)