Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali, the “Building Arab Capacities in Science Media” program was launched on July 20, 2025, at the Jordan Media Institute. The opening session was attended by Eng. Radi Al-Khas, Chairman of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, representing Princess Rym Ali, along with members of the diplomatic corps in Jordan, academic and media figures, and other participants from various countries.
The program is jointly organized ALECSO (Department of Science and Scientific Research), the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, the Jordan Media Institute, and the Jordanian National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.
The two-day program, the first of its kind in the Arab region, addresses several key topics, including the fundamentals of science media, and its role in raising public awareness to confront the effects of climate change and current environmental challenges, and as well as in addressing various health issues.
The program aims to highlight the role of science media as a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development and building public awareness about environmental, climate change and health challenges, thereby turning individuals into active partners in finding sustainable solutions aligned with the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The event was addressed by Dr. Mohamed Sanad Abu Darwish, Director of Science and Scientific Research, who conveyed the greetings of ALECSO’s Director-General, Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, to all participants and his wishes for the success of the program. He stressed that the implementation of this program reflects a synergy of efforts and roles, as part of a fruitful collaboration and a shared commitment between ALECSO, UNESCO, the Jordan Media Institute, and the Jordanian National Commission.
Dr. Mirna Abou Zeid, Dean of the Jordan Media Institute, stated that “science and media are both drivers of change and development,” and that “investing in strengthening scientific culture in the media is no longer a luxury, but a public service and a tool for achieving sustainable development goals.”
Mr. Mohamed Alaoui, Representative of the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, stressed that “the quality of scientific content in the media directly affects societies’ ability to face health, environmental, and educational challenges,” affirming that professional science media has now become the first line of defense against misinformation.
Dr. Sultan Al-Khalif, Secretary of the Jordanian National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, spoke on behalf of the Minister of Education and Higher Education. He emphasized the importance of science media as a strategic tool in facing contemporary challenges. He commended the leading role played by ALECSO in this regard, noting that ALECSO has always been a strategic partner to Jordan in many initiatives.
