The 28th Arab Children's Congress opened in Amman on Monday (July 14), hosting more than 150 children from 20 countries in the Arab world, Asia, Europe and the United States.
The theme leading the week-long annual event this year is "Quality Education", focusing on educational challenges facing Arab children.
Boys and girls between the ages 14 and 16 will hold meetings throughout the week to discuss various issues concerning children's education, including gender equality, cultural ... Read more

The 28th Arab Children's Congress opened in Amman on Monday (July 14), hosting more than 150 children from 20 countries in the Arab world, Asia, Europe and the United States.
The theme leading the week-long annual event this year is "Quality Education", focusing on educational challenges facing Arab children.
Boys and girls between the ages 14 and 16 will hold meetings throughout the week to discuss various issues concerning children's education, including gender equality, cultural diversity, human rights and economy-based education.
In a region where more than half the population are under the age of 18, archaic education methods have become a major impediment to progress and reform, according to Director of the Congress, Lina Attel.

"An advanced education syllabus is not enough because the education environment is very important. Young men and women live in a rapidly moving world and the Arab world is witnessing change. Youngsters are calling for education linked to political and economic daily life and to knowledge based economy," Atell said.
According to United Nations figures, nearly 7.5 million children in the Arab world do not have access to schools, although youth literacy between 1990 and 2006 surged from 66.6 per cent to 83.4 per cent.
Organizers say the event represents a unique opportunity for children from all backgrounds to share their experiences, hopes and dreams for a better world.
This year saw the participation of children from the U.S. and Europe, as well as representatives of troubled Arab countries, such as Iraq, Sudan and the Palestinian territories.

"The Palestinian child does not like to talk about his pain in front of people. We must show the bright side, show them he is a singer, musician, artist, speaker, an educated person. When others ask us about Palestine and about our suffering we tell them, but we do not play the role of a victim because we are the victim that resists," said Dina Shreim, member of the Palestinian delegation.
Attendants included participants from previous years, who will be sharing their experiences with the new comers to the 28-year-old event.
The congress will also examine the effects economic hardship and deteriorating security stemming from ongoing conflicts have on children.

"The Arab child suffers from civil wars and is deprived of education in many countries. Food aid does not reach the Arab child. These issues contribute to making the child shoulder big responsibilities as he starts taking part in wars and moves away from education, the most important thing in a child's life," said Hanan Lesue, who first participated in the 1997 congress.
The event was inaugurated by Queen Noor, wife of late Jordanian King Hussein, who was behind launching the conference in 1980 in a bid to give children and youth an opportunity to express their needs and aspirations. Close