PARIS: Changes in women’s status may have come too late for some, but mothers in Saudi Arabia are thrilled that their daughters will benefit, says entrepreneur and philanthropist Princess Reema bint Bandar.
Princess Reema, who is deputy head of planning and development at the General Sport Authority, told Arab News: “Mothers say that even though they did not have the same chances, they are very glad that their children will.
“They may worry about them, but that’s a universal worry shared by any parent.”
At the same time, she said she was well aware that there was resistance to the reforms from some sections of the older generation.
“We held some forums with students in the US and they told us that they want to work and do things but their parents say no, and I have to admit we dropped the ball on that aspect. So then we had to sit and work out how to persuade and reassure the parent generation.”
The princess said young Saudis were now returning to their homeland after studying abroad.
“Parents worry about their children going abroad to study and staying there because life was easier. But nowadays they are coming back home because there are opportunities for them,” said the princess, who herself returned to Riyadh after graduating from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in museum studies.
One of the princess’s roles in the General Sport Authority is to work on long-term job creation and develop a career structure in sport.
“If you’re an athlete, then obviously your career is short. We are dealing with sport as an industry. We are able to show that sport can and does produce long-term jobs with a career structure and an income trajectory,” she said.
Princess Reema, a successful retail entrepreneur whose father was a former Saudi ambassador to the US, was one of the business leaders addressing the Saudi-French Business Forum in Paris on Tuesday. She has launched her own handbag brand and when she was CEO of Alfa International, which operates luxury store Harvey Nichols in Riyadh, she bought more women into the workforce and provided child care services.
At the business forum she spoke passionately about the untapped potential of women in Saudi Arabia.
“This is not a dream. Women’s inclusion is not happening because we want to get Americans to say Saudi Arabia is a great place. It is happening because it is our right,” she said.
Addressing a room packed with the CEOs of leading French companies; she continued: “What we need to learn from you is how to integrate sports into the economy, as you have done.”
Her mission, both abroad and at home, was not necessarily to change people’s views of women or of Saudis, she said.
“We are not asking you to change an opinion of us that you already hold, but to consider a fact: We are the future.”
The princess evoked the French tradition of the salon, “with scientists, artists and philosophers talking to each other.”
She stressed that the changes encompassed in Vision 2030 constituted evolution, not revolution.
“You had to have a revolution here,” she said, referring to the 1789 revolt that resulted in the removal of the monarchy in France. “We don’t have to have one because we have learned from the past. Freedom of speech, freedom of expression — without these you cannot have a creative society. It’s not about being more American or more Chinese or Russian. It’s about being the best Saudis we can be.”
Princess Reema: Mothers are grateful for what Saudi Vision 2030 will bring their daughters
Princess Reema: Mothers are grateful for what Saudi Vision 2030 will bring their daughters
- Parents worry about their children going abroad to study and staying there because life was easier
- The changes encompassed in Vision 2030 constituted evolution, not revolution
Crown prince receives governors of Saudi regions
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received governors of the Kingdom’s regions following their 31st annual meeting, the Saudi Press Agency said early Thursday.
The Crown Prince was briefed on the most prominent topics discussed at the annual meeting.
He commended the governors’ efforts to serve the country, citizens and residents, and their work to achieve comprehensive development.
Saudi Arabia to host conference on role of universities in promoting peaceful coexistence
- The event will take place at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University on April 28 and 29
RIYADH: Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh will host an international conference next month titled “The Role of Universities in Promoting the Values of National Belonging and Peaceful Coexistence.” It will take place on April 28 and 29 under the patronage of King Salman.
Ahmed bin Salem Al-Ameri, the president of the university, thanked the king for his support and said the aim of the event is to “highlight the experiences of universities in promoting these lofty values, and to demonstrate the importance of correct doctrine and the approach of moderation,” the Saudi Press agency reported on Wednesday.
The participants will include leaders, dignitaries, scholars and intellectuals from the Kingdom and other countries, he added, who will share their specialist legal, scientific and social expertise during lectures, discussion sessions and workshops.
Weather warnings issued across Saudi Arabia until Monday
RIYADH: Members of the public have been urged to exercise caution over the coming days as weather warnings have been issued in several regions across Saudi Arabia.
The General Directorate of Civil Defense said there could be thunderstorms from Thursday to Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Moderate to heavy rain, leading to torrential rain, hail and high wind, has been forecast for Makkah region, including the Holy Capital, Al-Jumum, Al-Kamil, Bahra, Khulais, Taif, Maysan, Adham, Al-Ardiyat, Tarbah, Raniyah, Al-Muwayh, and Al-Khurmah.
The Riyadh region will be affected by similar weather conditions, including the capital, Diriyah, Afif, Al-Dawadmi. Al-Quwayiyah, Al-Majma’ah, Thadiq, Marrat, Al-Ghat, Al-Zulfi, Shaqraa, Rumah, Huraymila, Darma, Al-Muzahmiyah, Al-Kharj, Wadi Al-Dawasir, Al-Salil, Al-Aflaj, Hotat Bani Tamim and Al-Hareeq.
The same has been forecast for the regions of Jazan, Asir, Al-Baha, Madinah, Tabuk, Al-Jawf, the Northern Border, Hail, Al-Qassim, and the Eastern Province.
Some parts of Makkah region, including Jeddah, Rabigh, Al-Laith, Al-Qunfudhah, will be affected by moderate rainfall that may lead to torrential rain, hail and high winds.
Some areas in the regions of Jazan, Najran and the Eastern Province will be affected by light to medium rain and active downward winds that raise dust and dirt, the authority added.
The directorate called on the public to stay safe and away from places which could be affected by floods or become swamped. It urged people not to swim in such places as this would be dangerous, and to adhere to any instructions issued through the media or social media networks.
Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. honors winners of mosque design competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Co. concluded an architectural design competition for Diriyah mosques, with the participation of a number of talented male and female architects, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday
The Diriyah Mosques Architectural Design Competition aims to showcase their skills and contribute to developing the architectural landscape of Diriyah through their participation in the contest to support local creative talent in Islamic architecture and promote the development of sustainable construction.
The winners were announced during the annual Diriyah Suhoor at the Bujairi Terrace in the heart of the historic Wadi Hanifah.
Participants were invited to submit designs for two mosques in Diriyah in the Najdi style and constructed within the project’s master plan, using traditional building techniques and materials from the region.
Participating students were required to be familiar with traditional construction methodologies and apply them in their designs through this competition, which sought to achieve a set of goals to serve the local community and visitors.
The two mosques reflect the rich cultural heritage that characterizes Diriyah and the authentic architectural style of the region, as the competition is part of Diriyah Co.’s commitment to consolidating the traditions of distinctive Najdi architecture and enhancing community participation in Diriyah development projects.
A total of 170 submissions from groups and individuals were nominated for meeting the criteria set by the competition and the final stage of the competition witnessed the evaluation of the best 11 designs by the jury, which consisted of a number of highly qualified professional architects.
The evaluation criteria focused on the compatibility of the designs with the master plan for Diriyah, the design brief and their integration with the ancient heritage of Diriyah.
Three groups consisting of 12 participants emerged victorious and the winning entries were distinguished by their creativity and sustainability and their highlighting of Najdi culture and heritage.
The two winning designs for first and second place will be used in building the two mosques, which will contribute to developing the urban landscape and enabling the community to participate in the development of Diriyah.
The competition was launched in July and received widespread interest, as 539 male and female students from 31 universities took part, including 27 from the Kingdom, a university from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and three international institutions.
A total of 296 designs were submitted by both individual and groups of three to five students.
GCC chief meets Hungary’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi met the Ambassador of Hungary to the Kingdom Balazs Selmeci at the headquarters of the council in Riyadh on Wednesday.
The officials discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the GCC and Hungary in various fields, and the latest regional and international developments of common interest, the GCC reported.
Al-Budaiwi on Tuesday had discussions with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Berik Aryn on the ministerial meeting that will be held later this year between GCC and Central Asian countries in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.