2024-08-01 11:28:26
This conference shed light on the place of the Arabic language in the diplomatic field, highlighting the personal experiences of learning Arabic of many diplomats from non-Arabic speaking countries, with the participation of diplomats and international experts.
Participants in this meeting reviewed the challenges of learning the Arabic language in the arenas of diplomacy and international politics as well as the future prospects of Arabic in these fields.
In a speech at the opening session of the conference, ICESCO Director-General Salim bin Mohammed Al Malik noted that this meeting comes to consolidate the organization’s contributions in the fields of educational, cultural, scientific and civilizational diplomacy, as well as its efforts to build bridges of dialogue and exchange between nations and peoples.
Languages, Arabic in this case, contribute to building a conversational bridge of dialogue and exchange between nations, he noted, stressing that Arabic has succeeded in establishing the concept of linguistic exchange thanks to its openness to other languages.
According to Mr. Al Malik, Arabic needs more care and efforts in terms of planning, language policy, scientific research, knowledge exchange through translation, educational development, digital technology and media promotion.
“The ability of the Arabic language to strengthen its international presence is based from the outset on the efforts of its speakers and their direct contributions to the construction of human civilization and development,” he said.
For his part, Indonesian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Abdul Aziz Ahmad reviewed his experience in learning Standard Arabic, highlighting the benefits of using it in daily life, stressing the importance of employing new methodology and means in teaching Arabic.
In the same context, Pakistani Ambassador to Morocco Muhammad Sami-ur-Rehman said that language is one of the major means that reflect the culture of nations, noting that its beauty is reflected in its expressive power and linguistic richness.
More than a purely educational issue, interest in the Arabic language “is a question of religion and the promotion of a noble message,” he said, calling for the promotion of this language and ensuring its transmission to future generations.
For his part, the former Moroccan ambassador to the United Nations, Rachid Lahlou, reviewed the history of the adoption and use of the Arabic language in international diplomacy, from its use at the United Nations for the first time in 1955, until its adoption by the UN General Assembly as an official language among the languages of the United Nations in 1973.
The opening session of the conference was marked by the presentation of a video entitled “A Diplomatic Window on the Arabic Language”, which traces the personal experiences of a host of foreign diplomatic figures in learning the Arabic language.
In addition to the topics included in the conference program, namely “Linguistic Diplomacy and Stereotypes about the Arab World”, “Teaching Arabic for Special Purposes: Diplomacy as an Example”, and “Teaching Arabic for Diplomatic Purposes: Achievements and Expectations”, a training session will be organized on “Modern Methods of Teaching Arabic for Diplomatic Purposes”.
2024-08-01 11:28:26