RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) has launched vocational training programs for female breadwinners in the Yemeni governorates of Aden and Lahij.
“As part of its mission to provide training and vocational rehabilitation and improve livelihoods in Yemen, KSRelief has launched several pilot project management courses for female heads of household in the Aden region,” a KSRelief spokesman said on Tuesday.
More than 50 trainees from Aden’s Attawahi and Khormaksar districts have learned how to market the products and services they provide, including sewing, hairdressing, baking, incense production, first aid provision and mobile phone maintenance.
KSRelief has also launched a series of courses for women in Al-Houta and Al-Musaymir districts in Lahij to train them in mobile phone maintenance, dairy production and first aid.
Sixty women have participated in these courses, which include information about how to market their skills to create income for themselves and their families, KSRelief said.
In October 2018, the center launched a vocational training program for women in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate.
The program trained 100 women over two months in four vocations: Hairdressing, sewing and embroidery, making pastries and sweets, and making perfume and incense.
KSRelief launches vocational programs for Yemeni women
KSRelief launches vocational programs for Yemeni women
- KSRelief has also launched a series of courses for women in Al-Houta and Al-Musaymir districts in Lahij to train them in mobile phone maintenance, dairy production and first aid
- Sixty women have participated in these courses, which include information about how to market their skills to create income for themselves and their families
Saudi Arabia announces cultural cooperation award with China
- The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation culminate in an annual ceremony honoring the two countries’ shared cultural talent
RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture announced on Thursday the launch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Award for Cultural Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China, at the King Abdulaziz Public Library branch in Beijing, Saudi Press Agency reported.
This award aims to acknowledge the efforts of researchers, artists and translators from both countries, offering grants to support their continuing work. It is designed to spur enhanced collaboration and shared creative efforts.
The award includes several categories — cultural research and studies, artistic and creative works, translations, and a cultural personality of the year from each country, recognizing significant contributions to culture.
Additional categories target young researchers, creators and translators, encouraging youth engagement in cross-cultural communication. An annual ceremony will highlight the cultural achievements and award winners.
The award will promote creative cooperation and cultural dialogue between Saudi Arabia and China by highlighting the two countries’ achievements in the academic, cultural, media, literary and artistic communities.
It will culminate in an annual ceremony honoring the two countries’ shared cultural talent and announcing the winners in each category.
Saudi Culture Minister Prince Bader bin Abdullah said that the award was a critical component in bridging cultural divides and strengthening ties between China and Saudi Arabia through the arts, literature and academic research.
Individuals from Saudi Arabia and China, as well as government, private and non-profit institutions, may submit nominations. They can be submitted by filling out the nomination form, which will be posted on the award website.
On the same day, the Saudi Film Commission, a government body under the culture ministry, signed a framework memorandum of understanding with China’s Bona Film Group to explore collaborative opportunities in movie distribution, exhibition and talent development.
Bona Film Group, founded in 1999, has emerged as one of China’s leading movie distribution and production companies.
The signing ceremony in Beijing was attended by Prince Badr, Film Commission CEO Abdullah Al-Eyaf, and Bona Film Group CFO Qi Zhi.
The MoU outlines key areas of cooperation, such as investment in the film industry, the possibility of establishing a joint film fund dedicated to cinematic endeavors, and collaboration on Saudi film distribution in China. It also looks into talent development opportunities for Saudi filmmakers through Bona Film Group productions and Chinese film education institutions.
In accordance with this agreement, the Film Commission intends to develop the movie industry, improve local production and showcase Saudi productions. The commission also promotes investment, content production, talent development and regulatory frameworks.
The historic agreement reflects the commission’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and leveraging cultural exchanges as a key component of Saudi Vision 2030 objectives.
Intellectual property body to attract investment
- Public Prosecution Council in Saudi Arabia approved the establishment of the Intellectual Property Prosecution in mid-February
- Ministry of Justice, in its statement, indicated that the establishment of the body was decided as an enforcement of the National Intellectual Property Strategy
RIYADH: Experts in innovation and economics have told Arab News that Saudi Arabia’s establishment of a specialized investigative body for intellectual property litigation will motivate innovative projects and attract foreign investment to the country.
The Public Prosecution Council in Saudi Arabia approved the establishment of the Intellectual Property Prosecution in mid-February.
The Ministry of Justice, in its statement, indicated that the establishment of the body was decided as an enforcement of the National Intellectual Property Strategy launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, “which includes providing a distinguished environment for providing organizing and developing judicial services in intellectual property’s areas.”
The statement described the Intellectual Property Prosecution as “one of the main enabling factors for achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
This body is concerned with investigating and filing criminal actions in cases related to breaching intellectual property rights stipulated in the trademark system and the copyright protection system, referred by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property, in addition to the system of patents and topography for integrated circuits, plant varieties and industrial models.
The ministry said that “these prosecutions will enhance developing the parliament in the comprehensive judicial protection of intellectual property. These prosecutions will have a cadre of qualified public prosecutors who have been trained and acquired the necessary skills according to the standards of legal competence for criminal protection of cases breaching intellectual property rights, which lead to the growth (this sector).”
Abdullah Alakeel, chairman of the Saudi Scientific Research and Innovation Association, said: “Establishing the Intellectual Property Prosecution contributes to developing “an environment that attracts international technologies, innovators and inventors locally and globally.
“The inventor, the innovative, or the creative or technical company owner will guarantee that his rights in the Kingdom will be safe and secure due to the presence of clear laws, regulations,” he said.
Abdullah Al-Hamed, head of investment advisory at GIB Capital, expects that creation of this body will positively preserve rights and confirm the ability to benefit financially and intellectually clearly and authentically the owner of this right. This will reflect a new thinking on the environment for intellectual property and its ability in Saudi Arabia.
From arts to apps, Riyadh’s youth is redefining a new global narrative
- Talal Al-Hammad, the editor-in-chief of entArabi, said these changemakers are at the forefront of a significant shift toward sustainable and inclusive development
- Talal Al-Hammad: It may come as a surprise, but the young entrepreneurs in Riyadh, both men and women, are deeply engaged with all the latest trends in entrepreneurship
RIYADH: Young people in the Saudi capital are ready to reshape the city’s landscape and show Riyadh as a hub of dynamic social progress.
From grassroots community organizing to pioneering entrepreneurship and cultural innovation, the new generation of changemakers models itself as the driving force behind positive transformation in their community.
Arab News approached some of those inspiring change.
Talal Al-Hammad, the editor-in-chief of entArabi, said these changemakers are at the forefront of a significant shift toward sustainable and inclusive development.
“It may come as a surprise, but the young entrepreneurs in Riyadh, both men and women, are deeply engaged with all the latest trends in entrepreneurship.
“We have genuine problem solvers, addressing issues unique to Saudi society with innovative solutions.
“They’re making waves across various sectors including fintech, edtech, proptech, blockchain and AI (artificial intelligence), among others.”
He highlighted two ventures as examples of the positive impact these young entrepreneurs are making, the Barakah and Hemam apps.
Co-founded by Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Rabah Habiss, the Barakah app tackles the problem of food waste by using a mobile platform to offer discounts on surplus food from restaurants and stores.
Meanwhile, Bader Alarjani’s Hemam app is breaking down barriers for people with disabilities, offering them improved access to transport services and greater inclusivity in daily life.
Al-Hammad, who has witnessed firsthand the dynamic shift in the entrepreneurial landscape of the capital, said that the surge in young changemakers in Riyadh “is driven by Vision 2030 and government support, aiming to diversify the economy and foster innovation” and, coupled with “increased access to venture capital, angel investors, and government grants, provides essential financial support, enabling the testing and scaling of innovative ideas.”
EntArabi plays a critical role in this ecosystem by supporting youth, highlighting their achievements, offering a comprehensive directory of startups and sharing founders’ stories to inspire others.
For aspiring entrepreneurs in Riyadh eager to embark on a journey of social innovation, Al-Hammad emphasized the importance of making use of the many government initiatives and grants available, especially in the early stages of the venture, as well as to harness the power of the media and storytelling.
“Skillful storytelling can attract support, motivate others, and enhance your venture’s influence,” he said.
In a city immersed in tradition, Morouj Meliebary is leading efforts to revitalize Riyadh’s cultural heritage and promote artistic expression.
The senior section manager for communication and engagement at the Royal Commission for Riyadh City is on a mission to transform the capital into a global art gallery.
She said: “The vision of Riyadh Art is to turn the city into a gallery without walls. We are physically and tangibly making a change, architectural changes, we are placing art across the city.
“And this art should represent the people who live in the city or the people who visit, the people who are part of this identity.”
Riyadh Art, one of the largest public art initiatives in the world, was launched in March 2019 by King Salman, under the supervision of the Committee of Grand Projects chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The culture expert added: “We have opened the door for youth, we want the youth to be part of this imprint. We have a lot of very young artists who participated in Noor Riyadh, and we always open the door for them to meet with more experienced artists who have been in the industry for much longer for them to learn from each other.
“The idea behind that is to have non-Saudi artists meeting with local artists and kind of exchanging culture.”
Noor Riyadh, a Riyadh Art initiative, is a citywide annual festival of light and art comprising public art installations across Riyadh city, including a diverse program of talks, tours, workshops and events.
Meliebary, a Saudi anthropologist who takes pride in her narrative of encapsulating the essence of a “society changemaker,” said that “inclusion is important because there’s so much that we share in common.”
Beyond the tangible artworks, the initiative has embraced digital platforms to boost its reach and allow for a transnational dialogue on art and culture.
This digital expansion is particularly significant for young Saudis, providing them with an opportunity to engage with and contribute to the worldwide art community, demonstrating “that Saudi is transforming, and they are the face of this change,” Meliebary said.
After using her passion for writing to publish her first book, Meliebary’s transition to the Royal Commission for Riyadh City further amplifies her influence, with an eye to improve inclusivity, sustainability and cultural enrichment.
Experts call on people to prevent food waste
- Academics and specialists agreed that Saudi Arabia should implement new initiatives to combat the rising challenge of food waste
- Titled “Stop Food Waste,” the virtual event was organized by Saudi Platform in cooperation with Vision Platform
JEDDAH: Preventing food waste can be made possible through greater adoption of affordable and user-friendly technologies, best practices initiatives, and more awareness campaigns, experts who met at a recent virtual awareness meeting have said.
The academics and specialists agreed that Saudi Arabia should implement new initiatives to combat the rising challenge of food waste and loss effectively.
Titled “Stop Food Waste,” the virtual event was organized by Saudi Platform in cooperation with Vision Platform. It revealed that more than 33 percent of food is wasted in the Kingdom, which costs Saudi Arabia around SR40 billion ($10.66 billion) annually.
Najah Al-Omari, an international trainer and family counsellor, presented a video about recycling plant waste. Citing Qur’anic verses, she explained the difference between loss and waste and highlighted the importance of preserving food.
She presented a group of slides about Saudi citizens’ consumption of food compared to global consumption rates.
“The comparison between food waste rates reveals shocking numbers, after local waste exceeded global levels by a large margin,” she said.
Al-Omari presented a set of instructions on preserving food, reducing food waste, and achieving sustainability, and noted the extent of the impact of food waste on individuals in particular, and the country in general.
She also presented a set of practical solutions to stop food waste, some of which relate to the enactment of legislation.
Al-Omari discussed how specialized charitable organizations play a role in treating the impact of loss and waste.
Fahd Turkestani, an environmental expert, confirmed that such awareness meetings spread the culture of preserving grace and awareness in society.
He said: “In France, they ask the customer to take his or her leftover food with him (or her); and in Italy, they have put in place binding laws to limit waste. In Britain, the first supermarket was opened for leftover food.
“A restaurant in Chicago refused to use the waste bin for two years, forcing customers to consume all their meals; and in Denmark, the country succeeded in reducing food surplus by 25 percent, within five years, thanks to effective awareness programs.”
Turkestani called on the Saudi authorities to enact strict laws, including fines and penalties, to combat waste.
Meanwhile, Nouf Halawani, director of social responsibility projects at Savola World, reviewed the experiences and practices in the Kingdom during the past years. “New technologies are needed to reduce food waste,” she said.
Abdullah Osama Filali, chairman of the board of directors of the Hefz Al-Nema organization in the Makkah region, highlighted effective initiatives undertaken by the association to reduce waste, which included making agreements with hotels, restaurants, and wedding halls, to take surplus food, package it, and distribute it to the needy.
He pointed out that 800,000 meals were distributed during the year, benefiting needy families, after recycling and investing surplus food in these areas.
Music, art, local dishes stir the senses at Diriyah’s Ramadan market
- Live cooking, henna stations, oud and piano performers among the activities and entertainment at the market
RIYADH: Music, food and art are the sense-stirring offerings at Diriyah’s JAX Ramadan Market, which opened this week.
The Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale is hosting the market as a part of the “Layali Biennale” program.
“The (JAX Ramadan) market is such a cute idea ... the atmosphere, the music, the food, the people all of it is such a fun vibe for Ramadan nights,” Jood Marzouqi, a visitor, told Arab News.
The JAX Ramadan Market is open to the public from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., until April 1, and offers visitors a taste of local Ramadan favorites with a modern twist.
Bateel Ismail, the food and beverage lead of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation, told Arab News: “The JAX Ramadan Market has seven main selections of hot stations for live-cooking food and eight stations for other miscellaneous cuisines and products including chocolates, dates, tea, cheese, and specialty crackers.
“We also present a henna station and live activities for families.”
Ismail said: “We curated a diverse range of businesses that offer unique and high-quality products. We also considered factors such as the authenticity of the products, the cultural significance, and the ability to provide a delightful experience for visitors.
“The goal was to create a vibrant and enjoyable market that showcases the best of Ramadan’s most famous food.”
The market featured live oud and piano performances for guests to enjoy while shopping.
To foster Ramadan’s community spirit, the market has set up a long table where guests can sit together to eat and chat.
One of the booths named Balila Al-Hijaz offers boiled chickpeas with toppings of pickles and spices including cumin.
A variety of stuffed dates can be found at several booths including The Flavors of Hijaz and Musa & Palm. On the dessert side, Najd Luqaimat has fried dough balls stuffed with cheese, drizzled with honey, chocolate or other syrups.
Visitor Marzouqi said the market captures the spirit of the holy month. “I grew up in Jeddah. Having food with friends and hanging out, was our most memorable tradition during Ramadan in Jeddah.”
She added: “Since I’ve moved to Riyadh, I started missing that, and I heard about this market; and honestly it feels similar to Jeddah. It’s a little different but the vibes, atmosphere and energy truly remind me of a Ramadan back home.”
When asked, Marzouqi said her favorite booth was “definitely the Flavors of Hijaz.”
“I wish it (the market) was bigger. The space is smaller than I expected, but it’s still a fun activity for Ramadan nights.”
Also at the market, The Truffleers, a Saudi Arabia luxury chocolate truffle company, featured several varieties of their products including salted-butter caramel truffles, pure chocolate truffles, Arabian coffee beans, and cookie crisps.
The Truffleers was launched three years ago in Dhahran and has now expanded across the Kingdom.
Wijdan Hussein, operations manager of The Truffleers, told Arab News: “We have seven locations within the Kingdom and we are participating in events such as the JAX Ramadan Market. We are showcasing our chocolate truffle products.
“Our participation in the market today has been very nice, the atmosphere is wonderful, and everything is very beautiful.”
Another booth featuring handmade Saudi Arabia desserts is Okay by Sara, a sweets company that displays their take on ghorayebah, a type of local butter cookie.
Afnan Mahmoud, a sales representative from Okay by Sara, said: “All of our desserts are handmade and come in different designs, based on the occasion you have. For example, if you order dessert for the occasion of Ramadan or any celebration we will specialize it and design it for you.”