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The Theatre Affairs Centre has announced a new training workshop, titled 'Play Writing', presented by academic and playwright Dr Sharif Manjoud, set to take place from November 15 to December 3 at the Ministry of Culture's Theatre Affairs Centre.This workshop is part of the centre's initiatives aimed at supporting local theatrical talent and honing the skills of young writers. It is expected to combine theoretical and practical aspects, enabling participants to learn the fundamentals of creative writing, the components of a theatrical text, plot development techniques, and character development.The workshop also forms part of the centre's strategy to develop the theatrical movement in Qatar by empowering creative individuals in all aspects of theatrical work, particularly in writing, which is the cornerstone of the creative process.During the workshop, Dr Manjoud will address several key topics, including the concept of dramatic action, conflict construction, and theatrical dialogue. He will also provide an analytical reading of a number of international and Arab texts, encouraging participants to prepare short scripts that will be presented and discussed at the end of the workshop before a specialised committee.

In a collective effort to advance sustainable development through education, education leaders and key stakeholders from across the Arab states concluded in Beirut Wednesday the ESD-NET Arab Region 2025 Regional Workshop. The two-day high-level strategic meeting aimed to accelerate the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into national education systems and to strengthen regional collaboration to drive progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Hosted by the Unesco Regional Office in Beirut, in partnership with the Unesco Regional Office in Doha, the workshop serves as a key milestone in supporting Arab member states to operationalise the ESD-NET Global Network framework. It focuses on confirming the ESD-NET Terms of Reference, finalising the 2026–2027 Regional Roadmap, and aligning collective efforts to mainstream sustainability within education systems in the region. "This workshop is a new beginning towards a green and sustainable Arab education. Unesco, through its offices in Beirut, Doha, and its headquarters in Paris, is fully committed to supporting countries in this journey — strengthening education systems, empowering teachers, developing curricula, and building strong partnerships with communities and the private sector," said Maysoun Chehab, officer in charge of the Unesco Regional Office in Beirut. This gathering builds on the momentum generated by the 2025 ESD-Arab NET webinar series, which mobilised governments, civil society, the private sector and academic institutions to strengthen the ESD ecosystem in the Arab region. A key highlight of the workshop was the official launch of the Arabic language versions of the Greening Education Partnership’s resources, including the Green Schools Quality Standard and the Greening Curriculum Guidance. “These important resources will support countries in transforming learning environments and curricula to be more climate-responsive and action-oriented," said Salah Khaled, director of the Unesco Regional Office for the Gulf states and Yemen.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) on Tuesday organized a workshop titled 'Activating the National Program for Effective Management of Protected Areas in the State of Qatar', in cooperation with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science and the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen. Attended by several national and international officials and experts as well as representatives from government agencies, academic institutions and civil society organizations, the two-day workshop is part of the country's efforts to develop protected area management and align with international environmental obligations. Director of Natural Reserves Department at the MECC, Saleh Hassan Al Kuwari, highlighted the workshop as an important milestone in Qatar's journey towards achieving environmental sustainability and strengthening the national commitment to the Kunming-Montreal 2022 Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to protect 30 percent of the world's land and water by 2030. The workshop, he added, represents a strategic platform for developing effective tools for integrated management of reserves and building an institutional system that ensures continuity and efficiency, based on Qatar National Vision 2030, which balances development requirements with the conservation of natural resources. He pointed out that the workshop discussed several topics, including biodiversity in the country and the reality of protected areas in terms of achievements, challenges, and opportunities. It also reviewed the strategies and tools adopted for planning and managing these areas, emphasizing the importance of translating the workshop's outcomes into realistic implementation plans within specific timeframes. Assistant Director of Natural Reserves Department Nawaf Jabr Al Nuaimi noted the State of Qatar's success in expanding the scope of natural reserves to include 25.5 percent of the land area and 2.28 percent of the marine area, equivalent to approximately 29 percent of the country's total area. These reserves include sites of environmental and cultural significance, such as Khor Al Adaid, Al Reem Reserve, Khor Al Thakhira, and Al Shahaniya Wildlife Breeding Center. He added that these achievements face challenges, including development pressures, unregulated human and tourism activities, and the repercussions of climate change. However, they are also coupled with promising opportunities in the fields of ecotourism and sustainable resource use, with the participation of local communities and the private sector. He explained that the workshop aimed to discuss these challenges and explore practical solutions by assessing the status of the protected area network, measuring the effectiveness of its management, exploring opportunities for international recognition, and developing sustainable financing mechanisms, in preparation for developing a general framework for a national action plan for the effective management of protected areas. This workshop complements the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change's efforts to develop reserves management. Previously, the Ministry launched a program to evaluate the administrative effectiveness of protected areas in numerous locations, including Al Dhakira, Khor Al Adaid, Sani', Umm Al Amad, Laareeq, and Al Riffa. The program aims to ensure their compliance with international standards adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The program seeks to develop a transitional strategy, extending from 2025 to 2028, that includes identifying intervention priorities and administrative planning and building the capacity of the national team through practical training and specialized technical workshops to enhance the readiness of national cadres in the fields of environmental planning and management.

An awareness workshop led by cybersecurity trainer Farhan Alsadi underscored the need for individuals and organisations in Qatar to strengthen their digital defences amid rising cyber threats.The session, held under the framework of the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA), at the Qatar Press Center on Sunday highlighted the fast-evolving risks to personal data, critical infrastructure, and national digital assets.Alsadi cautioned that cybercrime today poses challenges not just to governments and corporations but also to everyday users navigating an increasingly connected world.He explained that cybersecurity is more than firewalls and passwords. “It is a structured set of practices and technologies designed to protect systems, networks, and information from malicious attacks,” he said. This includes securing data, preventing unauthorised access, and adopting swift response mechanisms in case of breaches.Participants were introduced to the central objectives of cybersecurity, beginning with the fundamental aim of protecting data from unauthorised access or exploitation. They learned that safeguarding sensitive information is the first line of defence in a digital world where personal, corporate, and even national assets are increasingly targeted. Closely linked to this is the need to secure networks and digital infrastructure against cyberattacks, ensuring that the systems underpinning communications, commerce, and governance remain resilient.Encryption was highlighted as a vital tool for maintaining the confidentiality of information as it moves across networks, effectively shielding it from interception or misuse. Alongside this, the importance of establishing strong security policies was emphasised, particularly in combating the persistent threat of malware that can cripple operations or compromise trust. Finally, participants were reminded that breaches, despite precautions, remain a reality; therefore, rapid response measures are essential to contain damage, restore functionality, and prevent repeat attacks.Together, these objectives framed cybersecurity not as a single action, but as an ongoing, multi-layered effort to build digital trust and resilience.The workshop stressed that protecting cyberspace is not only about technology but also about people. Raising awareness, Alsadi noted, is central to building a cyber-resilient society. Training sessions, awareness campaigns, and institutional programmes remain the first line of defence.He also pointed to the NCSA’s efforts in training national cadres on the latest cybersecurity tools, alongside supporting research to keep Qatar abreast of global challenges. International co-operation with leading countries and organisations was cited as key to keeping pace with the ever-changing threat landscape.Alsadi drew attention to the NCSA’s role in safeguarding personal data. Initiatives include educating users on their privacy rights, developing institutional training programmes, and adopting best practices based on international standards. Multiple reporting platforms are available for citizens to flag breaches swiftly, ensuring transparency and protection.The workshop also clarified how the NCSA and the Ministry of Interior work hand in hand. While the Agency focuses on awareness, prevention, and technical expertise, the Ministry investigates cybercrimes, gathers digital evidence, and coordinates with international bodies such as Interpol. Together, the two entities form a comprehensive shield for Qatar’s digital environment.Concluding the session, Alsadi urged participants to adopt a proactive stance. “Cybersecurity is not a one-off task but an ongoing responsibility,” he reminded. “Every click, every password, and every data transaction carries a risk — and also an opportunity to protect.”