Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), stressed the dire need to accord due attention to developing and teaching the values and principles that instill noble ethics in young people, empower girls and women and support humanity’s quest for promoting the values of coexistence, dialogue and acceptance of the Other, attaining permanent peace and building prosperous societies.

The Director-General made this statement in a recorded address he gave today, Monday, November 22, 2021, during the opening session of the International Symposium on Ethics Education. The symposium is organized by Arigatou International in partnership with ICESCO, Guerrand-Hermes Foundation for Peace, the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), the Kenyan National Commission for UNESCO, the Kenyan Ministry of Education, Religions for Peace Organization, Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, UNICEF, with UNESCO’s support. The Symposium aims to exchange knowledge and promote cooperation to foster ethics education for the benefit of children across the globe.

In his address, Dr. AlMalik stated that ethics is a key tool for promoting nations’ cultures and civilizations, achieving peace and security, building mutual trust, accord, and harmony among people, and anchoring the value of coexistence among world nations. He also highlighted ICESCO’s efforts to promote ethics among younger generations starting from early childhood to higher education levels.

The DG talked about ICESCO’s various programs and initiatives that aim to promote knowledge, anchor values and noble ethics, eradicate all forms of devious behavior, and spread love among people to achieve social cohesion and support sustainable development efforts.