Illiteracy in the Arab world can be a dangerous instrument for the region's safety, experts have said as they seek to tackle the root of the issue.
They said more work is needed across various fields to bring the region's youth up to par with their peers' education.
"There are tens of millions of students who are suffering without education," said Michael O'Neill, assistant secretary-general at the United Nations and director of External Relations and Advocacy at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“There are huge numbers of young people in this region which is fantastic for the potential and capacity that offers the future but it also creates a challenge - how can governments work with the private sector and organisations like UNDP to help ensure there are opportunities for education, employment, women, men and what needs to be done to address that in terms of policies and regulatory framework? It seems to me we have to work together across all of those areas if we’re going to tackle those challenges.”
According to Unesco, 25 per cent of Egyptians and 20 per cent of Iraqis are illiterate - a rate worse than those of countries such as Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan.
"It's culture," said Dr Hany Torky, chief technical adviser at the UNDP. "If you have a family and no money, the father will send his children to work and not to school. Sometimes even at the same time. So if we imagine a new solution, we can solve this problem."
He suggested night schools for children who cannot afford to stop working, for a few hours every evening.
“The so-called Arab Spring made it worse but the problem was always there,” he said. “We talk about knowledge and the fourth industrial revolution but we need to solve the basis of the problem first because it will divide societies into two parts and this gap is growing because of conflicts.”
______________
Read more:
Dubai Knowledge Summit told of joint plan to eradicate illiteracy in the Middle East
Reading is key to the future of the Arab world
National Editorial: Now it's time to create a truly literate society
______________
Illiteracy is particularly dangerous when children are lured into extremist groups, such as Al Shabab, Al Qaeda and ISIL.
"One of the areas UNDP has done a lot of work recently is around challenges that draw young men towards violent extremism," Mr O'Neill said. "We launched in September a major report based on a two-year study done around these challenges in Africa and it was based on interviews with several hundred men attached to different movements."
The report showed that young men felt alienated from society and the government. "There may be some common elements [in the Middle East] so there's a fundamental point of good governance which is a foundation for good progress in any area," Mr O'Neill said.
"Building effective institutions able to deliver better services including education is the foundation of all the work we need to do together for sustainable development and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The shift to a knowledge-based economy is the ultimate destination but the question is what steps can we take to get there - the UAE is on the right path but other countries are much less advanced," he said.
According to Reem Marto, head of the Middle East and North Africa at Teach For All, the problem is global. "Every child is born with enormous potential," she said. "But around the world, millions of children can only dream of realising that potential, simply because of where they were born or how much their family earns. The obstacles they face, from poverty, hunger, discrimination, trauma, to school systems that do not provide them with the education they need to thrive, are overwhelming."
She said the root causes of inequity were both entrenched and complex. "No single solution can address the multiple factors that contribute to this inequity," Ms Marto said. "We need many people pioneering many solutions and working together to change the status quo. We believe that local and regional authorities and policymakers can foster such an environment by investing in the leadership necessary to reshape education systems, strengthen the broader set of services that support healthy development, and challenge the systemic and social injustices that perpetuate inequity."
The global network of 46 independent, locally led and governed partner organisations works to accelerate the progress.
"Each network partner recruits and develops promising future leaders to teach in their nations' under-resourced schools and communities and, with this foundation, to work with others, inside and outside of education, to ensure all children are able to fulfil their potential," Ms Marto said. "One such programme is Teach For Lebanon. To date Teach For Lebanon has received more than 2,500 applications and fielded more than 100 teaching participants in rural areas. These teachers, as well as now 60 programme alumni, have helped expand opportunity for over 12,700 children - including orphans, street children, Syrian and Palestinian refugees - whose futures are clouded by social and economic factors."
To address the significant number of Syrian refugees, Teach For Lebanon has partnered with several charities, including the UK-based TheirWorld, and has collaborated with Ana Aqra's Children's Literacy Centre, to educate out-of-school children.
“Teach For Lebanon has also prioritised an instructional focus on global citizenship and democracy as a way to empower students,” she said. “Teach For All is also working with several social entrepreneurs in countries across the region to explore the development of new organisations that can channel their countries’ outstanding talent towards ensuring all children have the opportunity to fulfil their potential," Ms Marto said.
“The greatest problem we see is that children do not have access to the kind of education, support, and opportunity that will equip them to not only navigate the world they’ll inherit but lead it. But it is going to take an enormous amount of leadership capacity to tackle this [and we must] prioritise the cultivation of this collective leadership throughout the region and channel the energy of these diverse, outstanding graduates and professionals toward this.”
Tour de France
When: July 7-29
UAE Team Emirates:
Dan Martin, Alexander Kristoff, Darwin Atapuma, Marco Marcato, Kristijan Durasek, Oliviero Troia, Roberto Ferrari and Rory Sutherland
ANATOMY%20OF%20A%20FALL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJustine%20Triet%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESandra%20Huller%2C%20Swann%20Arlaud%2C%20Milo%20Machado-Graner%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.
Manchester City transfers:
OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)
INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m
ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho
ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
The Cockroach
(Vintage)
Ian McEwan
CONCRETE COWBOY
Directed by: Ricky Staub
Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
3.5/5 stars
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Dubai Rugby Sevens, December 5 -7
World Sevens Series Pools
A – Fiji, France, Argentina, Japan
B – United States, Australia, Scotland, Ireland
C – New Zealand, Samoa, Canada, Wales
D – South Africa, England, Spain, Kenya
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETuhoon%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EYear%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJune%202021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFares%20Ghandour%2C%20Dr%20Naif%20Almutawa%2C%20Aymane%20Sennoussi%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERiyadh%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ehealth%20care%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESize%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E15%20employees%2C%20%24250%2C000%20in%20revenue%0D%3Cbr%3EI%3Cstrong%3Envestment%20stage%3A%20s%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWamda%20Capital%2C%20Nuwa%20Capital%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, kick-off 10.45pm
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
On sale: now
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now