Ashraf AboArafe
CAIRO — The 3rd International Conference of the Asian African Youth Council (AAYC) has honored Dr. Fatmah Ibrahim Al-Ruwais, Assistant Director-General of the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE), with the 2026 Humanitarian Impact Award in Educational Media.
This accolade recognizes her exceptional contributions to advancing knowledge, embedding a culture of educational quality, and championing crucial educational and humanitarian causes on national, regional, and global scales.
Held in Cairo on July 29, 2026, under the banner “Media Uniting Nations… For Peace and Development,” the conference brought together high-ranking officials, ambassadors, diplomats, and intellectual leaders from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The event took place under the patronage of Ambassador Mohamed El-Orabi, former Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the Afro-Asian Peoples’ Solidarity Organization (AAPSO), and was led by journalist Nizar Al-Khaled, President of the AAYC Media Union.
Media and Education: Partners in Human Empowerment
Delivering an address during the proceedings, Dr. Al-Ruwais emphasized that media and education form a vital strategic partnership in shaping human potential and building a resilient future.
“Responsible media is no longer merely a conduit for reporting news,” Dr. Al-Ruwais noted. “It is an active co-creator of knowledge, a driver of public awareness, and an indispensable force in fostering cross-cultural dialogue.”
She cautioned against information overload and superficial reporting in the digital age, calling instead for deep, impactful media that preserves human dignity, counters polarization, and combats hate speech. Dr. Al-Ruwais stressed that this media responsibility becomes even more vital during crises, where objective journalism helps protect the fundamental right to education for vulnerable and crisis-affected children.
Saudi Arabia’s Commitment to Global Education
Dr. Al-Ruwais expressed profound pride in Saudi Arabia’s leadership—under the direction of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud—for their steadfast investment in human capital in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030.
She highlighted that hosting the UNESCO Regional Center for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) in Saudi Arabia exemplifies the Kingdom’s broader dedication to international partnership, peace, and sustainable development. Through this institutional support, RCQE serves Arab nations by enhancing systemic educational quality, refining frameworks, and empowering teachers and institutional leaders.
Safeguarding Education in Crisis Contexts
Addressing the challenges faced by fragile and emergency-affected communities, Dr. Al-Ruwais detailed RCQE’s initiatives aimed at bolstering educational resilience:
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Crisis Resilience & Recovery: Developing studies, strategic frameworks, and targeted programs to help educational systems recover from disruptions while maintaining quality learning environments.
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Psychosocial Well-being: Integrating mental health and trauma-informed support into educational policies to offer safe, protective learning spaces for displaced and affected youth.
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Values & Citizenship: Embedding peace-building, shared human values, tolerance, and constructive dialogue into educational frameworks to counter extremism and social fragmentation.
Flagship Initiatives Driving Transformation
Dr. Al-Ruwais reviewed several key RCQE initiatives designed to transform research into actionable policy, including:
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The Arab Model for Quality and Excellence in Education
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The Global Award for Quality and Excellence in Education
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Continuous capacity-building programs for institutional leaders, educators, and lifelong learning advocates.
A Dedication to Service and Impact
In closing, Dr. Al-Ruwais expressed her gratitude for the Humanitarian Impact Award, dedicating the recognition to the supportive environment fostered by Saudi Arabia and the institutional effort of the RCQE team.
She reaffirmed her commitment to elevating educational issues that touch human lives and dignity—reinforcing the crucial bridge between educational quality, responsible media, and global peace.
