JEDDAH: The Center for Promising Research for Social Research and Women Studies at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) will hold a two-day conference for studies on Saudi women, starting on Wednesday, Oct. 24, it was announced on Monday. The conference will be the first of its kind in the Kingdom.
The vice president for graduate studies and scientific research at PNU, Dr. Ahmed Al-Ghadeer, said the conference will discuss the personality traits of Saudi women, as well their role in culture, literature, history, language, and community service.
“The conference also aims to shed light on the importance of studying women’s participation in development, to support social and economic transformation and, subsequently, achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, in addition to providing specialized scientific studies in the field of women’s studies,” he added.
Al-Ghadeer said the conference, which will bring together 70 male and female researchers from inside and outside the Kingdom, will present 48 scientific papers during 10 sessions and two discussions. The conference which examine several topics, including literature, media, arts, community service, and women’s participation in sustainable development.
He stressed his hope that the conference would achieve its goals and that its recommendations and outcomes would help achieve PNU’s vision and Vision 2030, in terms of empowering women.
The head of the Center for Promising Research for Social Research and Women Studies, Dr. Maha bint Ali Al-Khoshail, explained that the conference will contribute to raising awareness about the importance of conducting studies on Saudi women, their challenges and needs, enhancing their contribution in society, and improving their role in development to reflect “a true image stemming from the Saudi society and its strong values and identity, and allow researchers to exchange scientific experience in this field.”
The center’s deputy head, Dr. Nada Al-Rakaf, pointed out that the conference will be accompanied by an art exhibition entitled “Saudi Women: Present and Future,” featuring work from 16 students and seven Saudi female artists who “transparently express themselves and reflect Saudi artists’ views on women.”
The exhibition will present artworks by distinguished students from the Visual Arts Department at the PNU College of Arts and Design to shed light on the new image of Saudi women through figurative painting, concept art, vacuum formation, and sculptures. These students represent the promising young generation that will improve the field of arts.
The conference will be organized based on the vision of PNU in order to achieve its strategic objective to tackle women-related issues, provide a scientific environment concerned with women’s studies, in general, and Saudi women, in specific, and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to empower women as well as the success of the development plans of Vision 2030.
Princess Nourah University holds first conference for Saudi women’s studies
Princess Nourah University holds first conference for Saudi women’s studies
Saudi crown prince expresses condolences to UAE president after death of uncle
- Sheikh Mohamed thanked the crown prince and expressed his condolences over the death of Saudi poet Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his condolences to the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed on Monday after the recent passing of his uncle Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al-Nahyan.
During a phone call, the crown prince prayed that God forgive the deceased who was the representative of the Abu Dhabi Ruler in Al-Ain Region.
Sheikh Mohamed thanked the crown prince and expressed his condolences over the death of Saudi poet and national literary icon Prince Badr bin Abdul Mohsen.
Taiwan must invest in building its own ‘strengths,’ vice president-elect says
- The United States is Chinese-claimed Taiwan’s most important supporter and arms supplier, despite the lack of diplomatic ties
TAIPEI: Taiwan is grateful for continued US security assistance but must invest in building its own “strengths” first and show the world its support for the island is worth it, Vice President-elect Hsiao Bi-khim said on Monday.
Hsiao, who takes office with President-elect Lai Ching-te on May 20, is Taiwan’s former de facto ambassador to Washington, and is expected to play a key role in further strengthening ties with the United States given her fluent English and deep ties in the US capital.
The United States is Chinese-claimed Taiwan’s most important supporter and arms supplier, despite the lack of diplomatic ties.
Speaking to a think-tank forum, Hsiao expressed appreciation for US President Joe Biden last month signing into law legislation to boost Taiwan’s defenses, part of a broader package of assistance for Ukraine and Israel.
“This bill demonstrates the US’ continuing commitment to supporting allies and partners in the face of geopolitical challenges,” she said.
“But beyond thanking our international friends for their support, it is important that as Taiwanese we invest in building our own strengths first,” she said.
“Through our own efforts in building a resilient Taiwan, we must have the confidence that Taiwan is worthy of galvanizing international support.”
China has ramped up its military pressure against Taiwan over the past four years. Taiwan’s government rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Hsiao and Lai — who have pledged to continue President Tsai Ing-wen’s defense self-sufficiency and modernization program — take power just months before the US presidential election in November.
Former President Donald Trump, whose administration strongly supported Taiwan and is the presumptive Republican candidate this time round, has said US allies like European members of NATO have to spend more on defense and not just rely on the United States shouldering the burden.
Trump has also been critical of US support for Ukraine following its invasion by Russia.
Saudi justice minister opens International Conference on Judicial Training
- Experts from around world will attend 2-day event in Riyadh
RIYADH: The Saudi justice minister on Monday opened the International Conference on Judicial Training in Riyadh.
Walid Al-Samaani made the opening speech at the two-day event, which has attracted more than 600 experts and 45 speakers from around the world.
He highlighted the strides made by the Kingdom in the judiciary sector since the launch of its Vision 2030 initiative.
He also outlined the ministry’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the judiciary and “pivotal role of training, qualification and legal knowledge management in achieving justice.”
The Judicial Training Center was dedicated to improving the skills of the Kingdom’s judicial and legal personnel through collaborations with its partners and had been instrumental in qualifying judges and training lawyers, judicial assistants and notaries, the minister said.
Al-Samaani also commented on the transformation of the justice system, driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, which has focused on fortifying legal principles, embedding values of transparency and ensuring legal certainty.
A key area for development was the digital transformation and integration of artificial intelligence, which the ministry was advancing to enhance judicial quality, he said.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Counterrevolution’ by Melinda Cooper
At the close of the 1970s, government treasuries and central banks took a vow of perpetual self-restraint.
To this day, fiscal authorities fret over soaring public debt burdens, while central bankers wring their hands at the slightest sign of rising wages.
As the brief reprieve of coronavirus spending made clear, no departure from government austerity will be tolerated without a corresponding act of penance.
Saudi Arabia, UK sign $5m deal to help fight malnutrition in Somalia
- Funds expected to benefit 101,000 children in high-risk areas
- Sides looking for further opportunities for collaboration, KSrelief chief says
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief and the UK on Monday signed a $5 million cooperation agreement with UNICEF to help tackle malnutrition in Somalia.
The deal was signed by KSrelief General Supervisor Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah and British Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell at the agency’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
KSrelief and the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office will each contribute $2.5 million to UNICEF.
The funds will provide access to nutrition services, water and personal hygiene supplies in 15 high risk areas of Somalia, benefiting 101,000 children.
The deal is within the framework of joint humanitarian and relief projects between the Kingdom and the FCDO to alleviate the suffering of the Somali people.
The announcement was made as part of the second annual UK-Saudi Strategic Dialogue on Humanitarian Aid and International Development, which also discussed “providing more aid into Gaza and encouraging progress toward peace in Sudan,” the FCDO said in a statement.
The two countries have already committed $22 million in joint funding, delivering vital aid and providing famine relief and humanitarian support in Somalia and Sudan.
Other cooperation programs through KSrelief and the Saudi Fund for Development were expected to be delivered in Sudan, Yemen, Bangladesh and Ukraine, the FCDO said.
“We look forward to enhancing our technical experience and capacity building by building upon the strong foundation established during our previous dialogue, which presents an invaluable opportunity to solidify our future direction, explore new areas of cooperation and further demonstrate the transformative potential of our partnership,” Al-Rabeeah said.
“Officials from both sides are actively identifying promising opportunities for further collaboration. KSrelief sees immense potential to leverage our respective strengths in areas like health interventions, education infrastructure development and livelihood creation programs.”
Mitchell said: “The UK is working with Saudi Arabia and other partners to support those whose lives have been affected by conflict around the world.
“I am delighted to be in Riyadh to agree a way forward to scale up significantly joint funding which will go a long way to supporting those people and communities who need it most, building on today’s announcement in Somalia and looking to further support people in Yemen, Ukraine, Sudan, as well as the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
“I also discussed the need to bring the conflict in Gaza to a sustainable end with my Saudi partners. The UK remains focused on achieving an immediate pause in the fighting, securing the release of hostages and ensuring aid reaches those who need it.”
In separate talks, Al-Rabeeah and Mitchell discussed matters of common interest related to relief and humanitarian affairs around the world, ways to enhance cooperation and topics included in the Second Strategic Dialogue for Development and Humanitarian Aid between the two countries.
The Saudi Fund for Development will also sign a deal with Mitchell during his visit to strengthen cooperation in line with the UN sustainable development goals.
