Beirut - October 2, 2019
Zain Group, a leading mobile telecom innovator in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa, and MBC al Amal last month announced a strategic partnership to support Mentor Arabia Foundation. At a press conference in the Four Seasons hotel, Beirut, the three entities revealed the first visit to Lebanon of HM Queen Silvia of Sweden, President of Mentor International, scheduled for October 15, 2019.
Mentor Arabia's mission is to empower Arab children and youth and prevent them from risky behaviors through policies, capacity development, advocacy, awareness campaigns, knowledge and partnerships. As part of their regional partnership, Zain Group and MBC al Amal agreed to collaborate with Mentor Arabia in different programs aimed at supporting the work of Arab youth in the community.
Queen Silvia's visit will include HM launching the The Youth Mentoring Platform initiative, a partnership between Mentor Arabia and the American University of Beirut (AUB). The program aims to create a "dialogue space" for youth to express their views with respect to challenges they may face and exploring possible opportunities, solutions, and enabling factors to maximize their potential.
A gala event is set to be held on October 15 attended by Queen Silvia and diplomatic, corporate, media, academic and social figures, will feature the revelation of further youth-oriented initiatives and cooperation details. The event will also include the presentation of the Mentor Arabia Young Entrepreneurs Award to one female and one male recipient. This award recognizes and encourages young Arab leaders who have made exceptional contributions in social, humanitarian or development work, which have impacted society positively.
During the press conference, Lebanon Minister of Social Affairs, Dr Richard Kouyoumjian commented, "Governments around the world should support the work of NGOs that empower young people and strengthen their capacities to protect them from dangerous behaviors, while at the same time developing their communities."
Waleed Al Khashti, Zain Kuwait Chief Communications Officer who represented Zain at the press conference commented, "As a leading telecommunications operator across the region, Zain feels a deep sense of responsibility to play a role in guiding and inspiring our youth to make good decisions in reaching their potential. We are also passionate about their protection from harm in the physical sense as well as in cyberspace."
Mrs. Thuraya Ismail, Executive Director of Mentor Arabia said, "The core of everything we do is to make a difference in young people's lives and so far, we have been able to make significant progress in this area; thanks to the support of outstanding people and organizations."
Mazen Hayek, spokesperson of MBC Group said, "Our partnership with Mentor Arabia translates MBC's efforts to empower Arab youth and motivates them to reach their potential. Our consistent message at the MBC Group remains inspired by our institutional motto: 'We see hope everywhere'."
The famous Egyptian singer Abu, a member of Mentor Arabia friends' committee, emphasized on "the role of art in raising more awareness on the dangers of risky behaviors and to widen the public interest in organizations such as Mentor Arabia because of their positive impact on society in all its categories".
Established in 2006 with its regional head office in Beirut, Lebanon, Mentor Arabia Foundation, is a non-governmental organization, and part of Mentor International, founded in 1994 and headed by HM Queen Silvia of Sweden. The Foundation has eight national chapters in Europe and USA.
Mentor Arabia Foundation is led by a board of reputable trustees, chaired by Prince Turki Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and consists of representatives from multiple esteemed regional and international organizations alongside leading public figures, youth, specialists and scientists.
