27, 28 November 2006, Riyadh,
UNDP Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the Ministry of Information & Culture, held a Seminar with corresponding Workshops on "The Role of Media in Human Development & the MDGs" under the auspices of HRH Prince Faisal bin Salman bin AbdulAziz, Chairman of the Saudi Research & Marketing Group which co-sponsored the seminar. This high-level seminar & workshops aimed at discussing with various media representatives in Saudi Arabia their key roles and responsibilities towards Human Development and the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Around 120 media representatives from various media sectors with different media specializations attended the seminar and participated in the workshops.

Saudi Arabia is one of the biggest donor countries in development and its efforts have been widely recognized. However, those efforts must be aligned correctly to pour into the desired results. It is evident that every sector in the society has a role to play in pursue of development, and media has major influence on most if not all sectors. Therefore, transparency, knowledge and passion for positive change must be the prevailing attributes in any media channel or person.

Saudi media has progressed significantly in the last decade to address crucial development issues and key societal matters many of which were not so much touched upon in the past. However, the culture governing media is still somehow static in terms of longing for the coverage of catchy news rather than substantive issues that ultimately aim at raising the overall human condition.

Hence, the Media & MDGs Seminar aimed at deepening the understanding of the participants from the media sector of the particularities of human development for their role in raising awareness and enhancing the public’s knowledge is vital. The objective was to support the Saudi media to engage in the human development matter and embark on its attainment. The goal was to have participants realize the relevance of human development and the MDGs to their own wellbeing as they are members of the whole nation, and recognize their essential role in leading the country towards an environment that enables people to exercise their choices and participate in decision-making that affects their lives.

The event used interactive and participatory methods to encourage discussion and dialogue such as visuals, open discussions, debates, and group workshops.

The 2 day Seminar and Workshops focused on 6 main topics which were inspired from the MDGs: 

1. The Role of Media in the Achievement of the MDGs.
2. The Role of Media in the Development of Education.
3. The Role of Media in Combating HIV/AIDS.
4. The Role of Media in the Development & Empowerment of Women.
5. The Role of Media in the Development of Children & Youth.
6. The Role of Media in the Development & Protection of the Environment.

The speakers and the moderators varied between:

- Government Representatives such as: Dr. Mohammad Al-Rasheed, Former Minister of Education; Dr. Abdulla Al-Jaser, Deputy Minister of Culture & Information; and Dr. AbdulAziz Bin Salamah, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information; Dr. Sanaa Filemban, The National Aids Programme Coordinator in the Ministry of Health; and Dr. Saleh Al-Mugren, Water Consultant in the Ministry of Electricity & Water, 

-  Academicians and Economic & Development Consultants: such as: Dr. Siham Al-Suwayyegh, Dean of Royal University in Bahrain; Dr. Wafa Al-Rushaid, Consultant on Economic Policies for Development; Dr. AbdulBadee’ Al-Zulali, Head of Environment Department in Umm-Al-Qura University; and Dr. Asma Aba-Hussein, Head of Desertification Department at the Gulf University.

-  Famous & Distinguished Media Figures such as: Mr. Hatem Ali, prominent Director for Syrian/ Arab Drama Series; Mrs. Dalaa’ Al-Rahbi, Lawyer & Script Writer for Arab Social Drama Series; Mr. Hussein Shobokshi, TV Presenter of two famous shows on MBC & Al-Arabiya TV and a well-known Columnist in Asharq Al-Awsat; Mrs. Shada Omar, TV Presenter of a renowned social/ political show “Al-Hadath” on the LBC Channel; Mr. Ahmad Al-Shogeiri, a Young Progressive and Religious TV Presenter of a highly valued and watched show on MBC channel; Mr. Ahmad Abdalla, TV Presenter of a widely watched social/ political show “Third Eye” on Al-Arabiya TV; Mr. Atef Kamel, a TV presenter of various shows on Egyptian Channels & a Consultant with UN/HARPAS; Dr. Maysara Taher, A Psychiatrist & a famous TV Presenter in Saudi Channel 1; and Mr. Saad Al-Dousary, a Professor in King Faisal Hospital & A Columnist in Al-Riyadh Newspaper.

- Leaders in Private Sector & Civil Society such as: Mrs. Al-Johara Al-Angari, Deputy President of the National Society for Human Rights; Mr. Amr Qoura, Chairman of Al-Karma Production House for “Edutainment” programs; and Mr. Tarek Taher, Founder of “Reef Chief” Environmental Foundation.

The event turned out to be highly successful and informative; the presentations and the video clips delivered rich and significant content, the open discussions on each topic addressed key issues and raised great ideas, and the group workshops involved deep brainstorming sessions and resulted in innovative ideas and recommendations for a distinguished MDGs achievement.

The media coverage that the event received was outstanding. Various TV channels and radio stations were continuously covering the event while taking phone calls and remarks from different contributors to the seminar. Newspapers and magazines have also done a remarkable effort in covering the particularities of the seminar. A great one-hour-and-a-half TV episode “Al-Hadath” lead by Mrs. Shada Omar from LBC channel hosted 7 speakers and moderators in an interview to discuss the seminar topics. Another TV interview was held on “Al-Taqreer” show with Mr. Hussein Shobokshi on Al-Arabiya TV interviewing Dr. El-Mostafa Benlamlih, UNDP RR; Ms. Dima Al-Azem, UNDP Communications Associate and Seminar Organizer; and Mr. Ahmad Al-Shugeiri, one of the speakers during the seminar. A third TV interview on Saudi News Channel “Al-Ikhbriya” hosted Dr. Maysara Taher, one of the speakers during the seminar, and Ms. Dima Al-Azem, Seminar Organizer.

 Click here to view the seminar background documents, the presentations delivered and the pictures taken during the Seminar.

Some photos: (more photos can be viewed by clicking here)

Contact Person(s):
Ms. Dima Al-Azem, Communications & Knowledge Management Associate; dima.al-azem@undp.org
Mrs. Sultana Ali-Ahmed, Communications & Knowledge Management Assistant; sultana.ahmed@undp.org.sa

Tel: +9661-4885301
Fax: +9661-4885309

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