The Headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) witnessed a major creative celebration as part of the celebration of Rabat as Culture Capital in the Islamic World, where a select group of artists presented their perceptions about the future, anticipating new prospects for culture, art and creativity aimed at achieving spiritual and aesthetic prosperity in the world.

The hybrid event held at ICESCO Headquarters and via videoconference was organized by ICESCO in cooperation with UNICEF, Konrad Adenauer Foundation and Hiba Foundation in the Kingdom of Morocco. It brought together several representatives of specialized international organizations and institutions, artists, and photographers from the Islamic world and beyond.

In his opening remark, Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, ICESCO Director-General (DG), expressed his profound thanks and gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him, for his royal approval to celebrate Rabat as the 2022 Culture Capital in the Islamic World.
He stated that “The Future Imagined by Young Artists” is an activity that falls within the events the Center of Strategic Foresight will hold in contribution to the Rabat celebration, adding that this topic reflects ICESCO’s new and reforming vision for the Programme of Culture Capitals in the Islamic world, which aims to render it an occasion to anticipate the future of cultural action.

The DG also stated that ICESCO accords special attention to young people and believes in their abilities to not only build the future but to reflect cultural prospects through various forms of art.
Dr. AlMalik noted that “The Future Imagined by Young Artists” clearly mirrors the Organization’s commitment to support young talents inside and outside the Islamic world and invest in them to ensure their success, stressing ICESCO’s keenness to support young artists to become future leaders.

In his address, Mr. Mustapha Messoudi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication – Youth Sector in the Kingdom of Morocco, underscored that the Ministry pays special attention to art and foresight and encourages the youth to promote and develop the national economy. The Ministry official also highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to train young people in the field of culture.

For his part, Mr. Marwane Fachane, DG of Hiba Foundation, stated that the Foundation aims to support youth art and future building initiatives as young people are the decision-makers of tomorrow. He added that suitable mechanisms should be provided for young people to prepare them to become future leaders. Taking the floor next was Ms. Naseem Awl, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Morocco, who stressed the need to engage all children in cultural and artistic life and hone their technological skills.

Ms. Danielle Pailler, Regional Director of the Francophone University Agency Maghreb, (AUF), gave a presentation where she contended focusing on artists’ efforts to anticipate the future, noting the role of creativity and innovation in facing future challenges and creating a better world. Dr. Kais Hammami, Head of ICESCO Center of Strategic Foresight, reaffirmed the need to fulfill the dreams and perceptions of artists, highlighting the role of art and creativity in building the future.

Following the opening session, the first session was held under the theme, “art and the future” and featured several artists who talked about their perceptions and works about the future, expressed their opinions and highlighted their leading experiences. The event concluded with workshops to introduce artists to the concept of foresight and note down their rich contributions to the future.