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Urban Children and Youth in the MENA Region: Addressing Priorities in Education
Dubai, May 16 - 18, 2005
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Pre-Conference: Sunday May 15th, 2005
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18:00- 20:30
Sheikh Maktoum Hall |
Registration |
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18:00-19:00
Sheikh Maktoum Hall
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Brainstorming Session by youth in preparation for their dialogue with urban authorities.
Resource Persons:
· Dr. Hind Khalifa, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
· Mr. Arif Jilvar, Happy Family Center, Dubai. |
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19:00-20:30
Sheikh Maktoum Hall |
Reception |
Day One: Monday, May 16th, 2005
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08:30- 09:30 |
Registration |
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09:30-9:40
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Address by Mr. Christiaan Poortman, Vice President, Middle East and North Africa Region, World Bank
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9:40-11:10
Sheikh Maktoum
Hall (A) |
Plenary Session I: Cities for Children and Youth: An Overview
An overview of the key issues addressed by the conference as a whole - namely, an outline of the generic challenges facing children and youth and the role of municipalities in addressing these issues; the demographic transition through which the MENA region is passing and its consequences for social and educational policies and programs in the region; and specific and innovative approaches implemented by a large metropolis to address the needs of urban youth children.
Chair: Mr. Michal Rutkowski, Director, MENA Human Development Sector, World Bank
Keynote Speakers:
· Dr. David Satterthwaite.ppt, IIED: Children and Youth, Poverty, and Urban Management
· Dr. Thoraya A. Obaid, UN Under-Secretary General and UNFPA Executive Director Demographic Transition in the MENA Region and the Role of Municipal Authorities
· H.E. Nidal Hadid.doc, Mayor of Amman: Challenges facing Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) in Caring for Children, and Ms. Samar Dudin.ppt: GAM’s Child Protection Executive Agency Project. |
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11:10-11:30 |
Coffee Break |
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11:30-13:30
Hall: Dubai A+B |
Parallel Sessions:
Parallel Session I: Youth Employment Issues in the MENA Region: Current Status and Future Directions
Discussion of the employment difficulties as one of the main challenges facing youth in the MENA region and lessons learned from international experience and case studies.
Chair: Ms. Setareh Razmara, Acting Social Protection Sector Manager, MENA Human Development Sector, World Bank.
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Hall: Dubai C
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Parallel Session II: Innovative Learning Approaches
Innovative learning approaches will be presented including e-education, family learning, interactive libraries, and informal learning through museums and playgrounds.
Chair: Dr. Ali Al-Khabti , Under-Secretary, Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia
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Hall: Dubai D
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Parallel Session III: Learning Environments in Urban Settings -Planning and Design I
Issues of planning for educational institutes in urban settings addressing questions of accessibility, adequacy and appropriateness.
Chair: Prof. Mohammed Ibrahim Siraj, Consultant
Ministry of Municipal & Rural Affairs, Saudi Arabia.
- Dr. Aarif A. Al-Subahi.ppt: Steady Urban Growth, Suitability of the Site and Performance of School Buildings, Case Study of Eib Yemen (in Arabic).
- Prof. Ahmed K. Afifi.ppt: Development of Children and Youth Educational Institutions within a Comprehensive Urban Context as an Approach to Improving the Educational Environment (in Arabic).
- Mr. Abdul Hafeez A. Hafazallah.ppt: Primary Schools Planning Standards in Khartoum: Towards a Progressive Upgrading Strategy.
- Dr. Reinhard Goethert and Melody Tulier.ppt: Children, Participation, Global Challenges and Educational Priorities.
- Mr. Juan Felipe Sanchez.ppt: Investing in Children and Youth: Towards Sustainable City Development.
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Hall: Dubai E+F
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Parallel Session IV: Street Children: Reaching out and Empowering Disadvantaged Children and Youth
Overview of the status of and regional strategies to address children and youth issues.
Chair: Dr. Majed Osman, Director, Information and Decision Support Center, Council of Ministers, Egypt
- Ms. Sadia Mahmud-Marshal.ppt: Street Children in the MENA Region.
- Ms. Nahla Abu Eissa.ppt: Implementation Strategy for the Arab Street Children Project (in Arabic).
- Mr. Ashraf Abulhalawa et al.ppt.: Effectiveness of Informal Education in Increasing the Opportunities for Integrating School Drop-outs in their Jordanian Community (in Arabic).
- Ms. Najwan A. M. Shamsuddin.ppt: The experience of Khartoum Council for Child Welfare in combating the phenomena of school drop-outs and street children in Khartoum State (in Arabic).
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13:30-15:00 |
Lunch |
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15:00-17:00 |
Break (Free Time) |
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17:00-19:00
Sheikh Maktoum Hall (B) |
Dialogue between Youth, Municipal and National Authorities
Engaging youth and senior officials in a dialogue on the issues that concern them in urban areas. Youth will moderate the session, with video-conferencing by young participants from West Bank-Gaza, Sana'a, Rabat, Cairo and Dubai.
· Welcoming Remarks: H.E. Qassim Sultan Al Banna, Director General.
· Youth facilitators: Ms. Sana Abu Bakr
Mr. Akram Y. Al-Aklahi
Youth participants from Cairo, Sanaa, West Bank-Gaza, Rabat, and Dubai. |
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19:00-20:30
Al Multaqua Ballroom |
Official Opening Ceremony
· U.A.E. National Anthem
· Recitation from the Holy Quran.
· Dubai Municipality Speech: H.E. Qassim Sultan Al Banna, Director General.
· MedChild Institute Speech: Eng. Bruno Musso, President.
· Arab Urban Development Institute Speech: H.E. Abdulla A. Al-Nuaim, Chairman Board of Trustees and President.
· Documentary about Education in Dubai.
· Traditional Show by Dubai Children. |
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20:30-21:00
Sheikh Maktoum Hall (C+D) |
Opening of Exhibition:
H.H. Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Dubai Ruler; Minster of Finance and Industry, United Arab Emirates; Chairman, Dubai Municipality; Conference Patron accompanied by VIPs and guests. |
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21:00-23:00 |
Dinner hosted by Dubai Municipality |
Day Two: Tuesday, May 17th, 2005
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09:00-10:30
Sheikh Maktoum Hall (A) |
Plenary Session II: The Child Protection Initiative - Responding to Amman 2002 Declaration
A presentation of the Child Protection Initiative (CPI), a regional program to support and build the capacities of municipal authorities to deal more effectively with the needs of their children, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged ones. Key partners of the CPI will express their views vis-à-vis the CPI strategic approach.
Chair: Dr. Tom McDermott, Director, UNICEF MENA Regional Office.
· Dr. Gamal Hamid.ppt, CPI Director: Overview and Strategic Approach.
· Discussant: Dr. Elie Mekhael, Secretary General, Higher Childhood Council, Lebanon.
· Discussant: Mr. Gibrin Algibrin, AGFUND Director of Projects.
· Discussant: G. Izzat Shaaban, Secretary,Alexandria province |
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10:30-11:30 Sheikh Maktoum
Hall (A) |
Plenary Session III: Municipal Responses
The objective of this session is to highlight the initiatives and programs of Dubai and Riyadh Municipalities as examples of municipal responses to the needs of children and youth.
Chair: Dr. Abdul Muniem Abu-Nuwar, Director,
Country Technical Services Team for Arab States-UNFPA.
- Dr. Hamid I. Hatal: The Efforts of Dubai Municipality in Caring for Children and Youth
- Dr. Khalid Tahir and Dr. Ibrahim Damag: Riyadh – The City and the Children
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11:30-12:00 |
Coffee Break |
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12:00-14:00
Sheikh Maktoum Hall (B) |
Round Table and Parallel Sessions
Round Table (By Invitation Only): Exploring Relationships between National and Local Authorities with regard to Children and Youth Education in Urban Areas
Ministers, mayors and leaders of regional and international organizations will deliberate key themes of the conference, and reflect on the desirable division of responsibilities between national and local authorities in education and other challenges facing urban children. Key ideas will form part of the Dubai declaration.
Facilitator: H.E. Abdulla A. Al-Nuaim, Chairman Board of Trustees and President
Arab Urban Development Institute
Participants: Ministers, Mayors, World Bank, AUDI, United Nations and others. |
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Hall: Dubai A+B
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Parallel Session V: Demographic and Youth Issues in the Arab State
Youth and adolescents issues in the Arab States within an overall context of population dynamics. Discussion of youth risk factors (e.g. drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, etc).
Chair: Dr. Thoraya A. Obaid, UN Under-Secretary General and UNFPA Executive Director.
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Hall:Dubai C
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Parallel Session VI: Education for All: Relevance for Municipal Authorities
Discussion of the educational challenges facing the MENA region in the context of the Education for All Initiative. Special emphasis on the relevance of EFA with respect to marginalized children and the possible roles of municipal authorities.
Chair: Ms. Regina Bendokat, MENA Education Sector Manager, World Bank
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Hall: Dubai D |
Parallel Session VII: Young People Envisioning the Community they Want: Voices from Child-Friendly Cities in the MENA Region.
Introduction to the Child-Friendly Cities approach spearheaded and to showcase the regional and international experiences with its implementation.
Chair: H.E. Abdul Aziz Al-Husayyin, Mayor of Al-Madina Al-Munawara.
- Dr. Eliana Riggio.ppt: Global Perspective.
- Eng. Abdulrahim Abu Algummaiz (Gaza Munic.) and Mr. Dia' N. Sabbagh.ppt (Child Mayor of Jenin): Children's Participation in the CFC Initiative in the OPT.
- H.E. A.Bagherzadeh, Mayor of Bam: Rebuilding Bam, Iran as a CFC.
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Hall: Dubai E+F
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Parallel Session VIII: Reaching Out and Empowering ‘At Risk’ and Disadvantaged Children and Youth
Exploration of the categories of 'at risk' and disadvantaged children, namely poor children, girls and disabled children. The challenges facing them in urban settings will be explored and national and local responses will be presented.
Chair: Ms. Viviana Mangiaterra, Children & Youth Advisor, World Bank.
- Dr. Jeroen Smits and Dr. Ayşe Gündüz-Hoşgör.ppt: Education Participation of Girls in Egypt, Morocco and Turkey, 1992-2000.
- Dr. Rania Roushdy.ppt et al.: Urban Poverty and Children's Schooling: A Case study of Households and Neighborhoods in Cairo, Egypt.
- Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shiddi.ppt: Educational Programs for Children and Youth in Riyadh City (in Arabic).
- Dr. Fakih Laid.ppt: The Efforts of Algeria in Caring for Disabled Children - a Field Research on the Status of Psychological Care for Mentally Disabled Children in Algeria (in Arabic).
- Prof. Edna Mitchell.ppt: Priorities in Education in a War Torn Society – Afghanistan.
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14:00-15:30 |
Lunch |
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15:30-17:30
Sheikh Maktoum Hall (A) |
Plenary Session IV: Progress and Challenges in Mainstreaming the Most Disadvantaged Children and Youth: Experiences from Egypt, Yemen, Jordan and West Bank & Gaza
Review of progress in MENA countries on policies and programs pertaining to vulnerable children and youth, and the challenges faced in mainstreaming into the national development agenda across sectors. Case from Yemen, Egypt, Jordan, West Bank & Gaza
Chair: Ms. Setareh Razmara, Acting Social Protection Sector Manager, MENA Human Development Sector, World Bank.
- Yemen.ppt: Dr. Hashem Awnallah, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning.
· Egypt.ppt: Ambassador Hussein Al-Sadr, National Council for Childhood and Motherhood
· Jordan.ppt: Senator H.E. Dr. Rowaida Al-Maaitah, National Council for Family Affairs.
· West Bank and Gaza.ppt: Ms. Dahab Musleh and Katie Taylor, Secretariat of the National Plan of Action, Ministry of Planning.
· Iran.ppt: Dr. Azin Movahed and Dr. Taheri, Ministry of Education |
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17:30-18:00 |
Tea Break |
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18:00-20:00
Hall: Dubai A+B
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Parallel Sessions:
Parallel Session IX: Inclusive Education in Urban Settings - Innovative Initiatives.
Identify the challenges and strategies for mainstreaming disabled children and youth in urban educational programs. Approaches that strive to involve disabled children and youth, as well as the work of concerned NGOs in the design and implementation of innovative program.
Chair: Ms. Judith Heumann, Advisor on Disability and Development, World Bank.
- Mr. Ibrahim Khries: Greater Amman Municipality's Experience in Mainstreaming Disabled Children and Youth.
- Ms. Silvana Allaqis.ppt: The Role of Disability Grassroot Organizations in mainstreaming Disabled Children and Youth: Challenges and Opportunities.
- Dr. Ala'a Sabeh.ppt: Early Childhood Development for Disabled Children in the Local Community in Egypt through the Social Protection Initiative Project (SPIP).
- Ms. Liza Mohammed Al-Haza'a: Mainstreaming of Disabled Children and Youth in the Child Protection Educational Approach at the Community Level from the Youth Perspective: Challenges and Opportunities.
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Hall: Dubai C
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Parallel Session X: Towards a World Bank Education Sector Strategy for MENA
Presentation of the conceptual framework and early findings of a World Bank flagship report on Education Strategy in the MENA region.
Chair: Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Joufi, Minister of Education, Yemen
- Mr. Michel Welmond, World Bank.
- Discussant: Ms. Malak Zaalouk, UNICEF MENA Regional Advisor, Education.
- Discussant: Mr. Ramzi Salame-UNESCO.
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Hall: Dubai D
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Parallel Session XI: Growing-up in Cities and Environmental Education
Overview of the Growing Up in Cities Project and its recent and ongoing activities within and near the MENA region, and implications for environmental education. Particular focus on the project's potential contributions in the MENA region. Ideas for developing new initiatives under the new UNESCO Chair Program at Cornell University will be explored.
Chair: Dr. Hind Khalifa, King Saud University.
· Prof. David Driskell.ppt: Environmental Education and Youth Participation in Community Development- The Growing Up in Cities Project.
· Dr. Eyyad Al-Khalaileh.ppt: Understanding Children's Environments: the Effect of Outdoor Physical Environments on Children's Activities and Quality of Life in Al-Wihdat Palestinian Refugee Camp and Environs in Amman, Jordan.
· Ms. Sudeshna Chatterjee.ppt: Growing up Among the Dead: Investigating Environmental Child Friendliness for Children in New Delhi.
· Dr. Omar Amireh: Amman Children Map.
· Discussant: Dr. Rula Sadik |
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Hall: Dubai E+F
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Parallel Session XII: Child Labor and Education: Issues and Responses
Linkages between child labor and education in urban settings in the MENA region. Empirical evidence relating to how child labor affects both school attendance and the learning achievement of children. Discussion of how child labor considerations can be "mainstreamed" into policies for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for education in urban contexts.
Chair: Mr. Furio Rosati, UCW Project, (IPEC, ILO, and World Bank)
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20:00-21:00 |
Break |
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21:00-23:00
Al Multaqua Ballroom |
Dinner and Presentation of MedChild Best Practices Awards
Sponsored by Fondazione Cariplo. |
Day Three: Wednesday, May 18th, 2005
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09:00-10:30
Sheikh Maktoum Hall (A) |
Plenary Session V: Follow up to Genoa 2004
Reflections on the Children and the Mediterranean Conference held in Genoa in January 2004. Major works and tools developed by the MedChild Institute that was one of the main outcomes of the Conference will be presented.
Chair: H.E. Riccardo Sessa, Director General,
Italian Foreign Ministry Desk for the Middle East and the Mediterranean (TBC).
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10:30-11:00 |
Coffee Break |
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11:00-13:00
Hall: Dubai A+B
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Parallel Sessions:
Parallel Session XIII: Early Childhood Education Issues and Role of Municipalities
Discussion and highlights of early childhood education issues for young urban residents, and the role of municipalities and urban institutions in addressing them.
Chair: Mr. Arun R. Joshi, Senior Education Specialist, World Bank.
- Ms. Lara Adnan Hussein.ppt: Assessing Readiness of Jordanian Children to School.
- Mr. Gibreen Al-Gibreen: The AGFUND Experience in Developing Early Childhood Programs in the Arab World (in Arabic).
- Dr. Fadiah Mohamed Hotait.ppt: The Role of Municipalities in Developing Early Childhood Education and Care: International Experiences (in Arabic).
- Dr. Yahya H. Abu Harb.ppt: Required Teaching Qualifications for Pre-school Teachers in Light of Curriculum Development for the 21st Century (in Arabic).
- Ms. Mouza M. ALKaram.ppt: Experience of Children and Girls Centers in Sharjah Emirate. (in Arabic).
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Hall: Dubai C
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Parallel Session XIV: Participation and Empowerment: Children and Youth in Urban Areas
Exploration of contemporary education sector issues in the region, youth social and cultural concerns, and the relationship between families and schools.
Chair: Prof. Osman E.M.Nour, King Saud University,
Chairman of the Conference Technical Committee.
- Mr. Mohamed Othman Al-Muhaisi.ppt: Youth Psychological and Educational Problems in Sudanese Universities (in Arabic) .
- Dr. Abdul Raqeeb A. Al-Buhairi.ppt: Violence in Schools: Negative Impacts and Strategies for Protection and Interventions (in Arabic).
- Ms. Mariam M. Ali.ppt: Violence in Schools- Fieldwork Results. (in Arabic).
- Dr. Wajeha T. Al-Aani.ppt: Youth Contemporary Cultural Concerns and their Relationship with some Variables - Views of the Students of the College of Education at Sultan Qabus University (in Arabic) .
- Mr. Yahya S.Salih.ppt: Addressing Youth Issues in the Local Community- example of Neighborhood Social Centers in Al-Madina Al-Munawara.
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Hall: Dubai D
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Parallel Session XV: Learning Environments in Urban Settings: Planning and Design II
Continuation of session from day 2 focusing on the planning and design aspects of educational environments, with emphasis on designing classrooms to suit the needs of disabled students, and also the impacts of contemporary technological innovations on the design of schools and classrooms.
Chair: Dr. Obaid A. Altinaiji, Director of Planning and Surveying, Sharjah Municipality
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Hall: Dubai E+F
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Parallel Session XVI: Children and Youth issues in the Mediterranean Region: Education and Health Linkages
Focus on the linkages between education and health issues. Case studies of NGOs that undertake notable programs in health and education in the Mediterranean region.
Chair: Mr. Francesco Biagioli, Vice President, MedChild Institute.
- Dr. Alberto Martini: Young people and drugs in the Urban Environment.
- Mr. Henri Roux-Alezais: The Knowledge Economy and Young people in the Mediterranean.
- Dr. Samir Farid.ppt: Population Growth, Education & Poverty Reduction in the Arab region.
- Mr. Hilal Al-Sayer: The Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospitals.
- Ms. Wiam Erikat: The Children Municipality Council project, City Council of Jericho in Palestine.
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13:00-13:30 |
Tea Break |
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13:30-14:30
Sheikh Maktoum Hall (A) |
Closing Session (Plenary): Declaration, Discussion & Closing Speeches
A draft of the conference declaration will be presented and discussed; and brief concluding speeches will be delivered by the organizing institutions.
Chair: Mr. Qasim Sultan Al-Banna, Director General, Dubai Municipality
- Dr. Gamal M. Hamid, CPI Director, Presentation of the Declaration
- Discussion
- Mr. Abdullah A. Al- Nuaim, Chairman Board of Trustees, AUDI President
- Ms. Regina Bendokat, The World Bank
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14:30-16:00 |
Lunch |
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16:00- |
Free time and /or evening program |
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