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The Qatari Forum for Authors, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, has organized an intellectual and awareness-raising seminar titled 'the intellectual and the Other.'Held at the Ministry's headquarters Wednesday, the seminar was delivered by writer and researcher Rawda Al Hammadi.It drew notable attendance from those interested and active in the cultural and intellectual fields.Opening the seminar, Al Hammadi gave an in-depth analysis of the prevailing conception of 'the Other,' stressing that 'the Other' is not necessarily a distant or hostile entity, but rather anyone who differs from oneself, prompting one to reconsider one's own stances, values, and perceptions.She noted that an intellectual's understanding of 'the Other' stems from one's self-definition and self-understanding.The seminar sought to identify what constitutes a real intellectual and their role in fostering critical thinking in understanding 'the Other' past one's preconceived notions and stereotypes.Al Hammadi noted that the seminar drew on themes explored in her book, Postcolonial Critical Studies of the Qatari Novel, published by the Ministry of Culture and the Qatari Forum for Authors as part of the 'seeds of knowledge' initiative.The seminar also addressed the psychological and social factors that convert difference into a source of anxiety and exclusion rather than being celebrated.It further examined the theme of 'the intellectual and the Other' in the context of the age of digitalization and social media, pondering on whether social media do indeed bring people closer together.

Al Jazeera Media Institute will participate in a virtual seminar on February 25 to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), social justice, and decent work.The event is organised in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) in Qatar, and the Arab Network of National Human Rights Institutions, with the participation of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).The seminar aims to examine the role of media in shaping public discourse on decent work and social protection within the context of rapid digital transformation.The main panel discussion, moderated by Jessy Chahine from the OHCHR Regional Office, will explore the balance between the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in advancing social justice.Panellists include ESCWA regional adviser on social justice Osama Safa, and Dr Mai Shingnobu, media professional and academic specialising in media studies, and editor of the English edition of Al-Sahafa Magazine/Journalism Review of Al Jazeera Media Institute.The seminar will also address the risks of misinformation and oversimplified narratives in covering digital transformation and its impact on the labour market, as well as the opportunities presented by AI tools in newsrooms, alongside the ethical challenges associated with their use.The event underscores the responsibility of journalists and media organisations to highlight the most marginalised groups amid digital transformation, and stresses the importance of strengthening media professionals’ capacities to better understand labour issues, social protection and digital policies, in order to ensure responsible media narratives that uphold human rights and advance social justice.The programme consists of an opening session and keynote remarks by Mazen Shaqoura, the OHCHR's Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa; Her Excellency Maryam bint Abdullah al-Attiyah, chairperson of Qatar's NHRC; and His Excellency Sultan bin Hassan al-Jamali, secretary-general of NHRC; followed by the main panel discussion, an interactive dialogue with participants and concluding remarks and recommendations presented by the OHCHR. 

The Ministry of Culture organized on Sunday a special international edition of its renowned "Seminar Season" in the French capital, Paris, in partnership with the Arab World Institute. Held for the first time outside the State of Qatar, the event was attended by His Excellency Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Thani, His Excellency Ambassador of the State of Qatar to France Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, His Excellency Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali, and the President of the Arab World Institute Jack Lang, alongside a number of ambassadors, academics, and researchers. In his address, HE Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali stressed that this exceptional edition of the Seminar Season reflects the Ministry's commitment to fostering continuous cultural dialogue among intellectual elites, and reaffirms the vital role of culture in promoting understanding between nations.He noted that hosting the Seminar Season at the Arab World Institute opens new horizons for creative exchange between East and West, while strengthening mutual recognition and appreciation of cultural identities. He expressed hope that the Paris edition would mark a new step in advancing cultural cooperation. HE Dr. Al Ali added that the partnership with the Institute embodies this goal, aiming to build bridges of communication with thinkers and intellectuals through cultural diplomacy that mirrors Qatar's standing at both regional and international levels. For his part, HE Sheikh Ali bin Jassim Al-Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, affirmed that the Minister of Culture's visit to Paris contributes to deepening cultural dialogue between Qatar and France. He described the Arab World Institute as an ideal platform for building bridges of cultural communication between the two countries, highlighting that hosting the international edition of the Seminar Season reflects the importance of the partnership with this leading global cultural institution.Meanwhile, Jack Lang, President of the Arab World Institute, underscored the importance of culture in fostering dialogue among civilizations, praising Qatar's role in promoting peace and supporting international mediation. He described the Seminar Season as an exceptional initiative and a creative platform for dialogue and communication between people. The event's first session, titled "The Future of Arab-European Cultural Dialogue," explored several key themes. Dr. Hassan Rashid Al Derham, former President of Qatar University, discussed major challenges facing dialogue between Arab and Western cultures and called for renewing the tools of dialogue to achieve deeper and more balanced engagement. Dr. Benedicte Letellier, Associate Professor at the University of La Réunion in France, highlighted the role of the Arabic language and translation in promoting Arab cultural values and strengthening intercultural understanding. She urged greater involvement of French youth in Arab cultural programs, enhanced teaching of Arabic, and the removal of linguistic and cultural barriers. His Excellency Ali Al Zainal, Qatari diplomat and academic and former Permanent Representative of Qatar to UNESCO, outlined seven key pillars of sustainable Arab-European dialogue, including mutual respect, equality, openness, tolerance, institutional and media support, and a focus on shared human values. He also highlighted the pivotal role of Qatari women and their contribution to cultural life, while criticizing Western media stereotypes of Arabs, particularly during coverage of Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022. Professor Jean-Baptiste Brinet, a medievalist and professor of Arabic philosophy at the University of Paris, addressed the historical roots of Western misperceptions of Arab culture, stressing that Arab civilization has long been an integral part of Europe's cultural identity. After a lively discussion, participants emphasized the need to adopt practical approaches to advancing cultural dialogue, making use of modern communication tools and empowering youth to participate in shaping intercultural exchange. The second session, titled "Arab Culture in European Capitals" and moderated by journalist Wassim Al Ahmar, featured Dr. Al Anoud Abdullah Al Khalifa, researcher at the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies Unit at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies. She noted that the Gulf's cultural presence in France serves as a mechanism for reimagining narratives and dismantling outdated dichotomies, adding that Qatar's cultural engagement in France plays an influential cognitive role in reshaping French cultural awareness through dialogue and institutional collaboration. French playwright Mohammed Qasimi emphasized that despite its historical complexities, civilizational dialogue remains a foundation for cultural exchange and shared creativity, describing the Arab-European literary and artistic legacy as a "rich and inexhaustible cultural mosaic."Researcher Naima Yahya called for greater respect for cultural and linguistic diversity to build an inclusive cultural model capable of integrating diverse identities into a shared global framework.The Seminar Season drew wide participation from French and Arab cultural and media figures, who praised the quality of discussions and the significance of the topics addressed. They stressed the importance of continuing and expanding the initiative to further promote dialogue and cultural exchange between nations.