HH Sheikha Moza participates in the Alliance of Civilizations Istanbul Lecture Series

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HH Sheikha Moza participates in the Alliance of Civilizations Istanbul Lecture Series


Istanbul, Turkey, 26 November 2010

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, invited by the Turkish National Committee for the Alliance of Civilizations (AoC) to address the AoC Istanbul Lecture Series, delivered a lecture at the Dolmabahce Palace entitled, “the Alliance of Civilizations and the Middle East.”

The lecture, attended by the wife of the Turkish Prime Minister, Mrs. Amina Erdogan, presented Her Highness’ vision regarding the enhancement of the AoC and linking it to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), while harnessing both tracks for the purpose of serving the causes of peace, security, justice and development in the Middle East, North Africa and the world.

Her Highness also met with Turkish State minister Dr. Mehmet Aydin, and they both exchanged opinions about the AoC and the means to activate this Alliance.

The following day, Her Highness visited the “Edge of Arabia” exhibition held as part of Istanbul’s celebration of being European Capital of Culture 2010, where she stopped by a number of artistic models and paintings pertaining to the Saudi Arabian culture, in addition to several photographs showcasing the heritage of Saudi Arabia and other works of art highlighting the Kingdom’s local identity and its current environment.

Her Highness also visited the Ottoman Archives building and viewed a number of historic documents pertaining to the administrative, economic and diplomatic relations between Istanbul and Gulf States during the Ottoman era, and especially documents relating to Qatar.

The Institute of the Alliance of Civilizations at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet University was inaugurated by Her Highness and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

On this occasion, Her Highness delivered a speech reiterating her gratitude and appreciation to Prime Minster Erdogan for his foresight, credibility and commitment – attributes, she said, which earned him the respect of the regional and international community. Her Highness added that these attributes were key to her approval for joining the UN High Level Group for the Alliance of Civilizations.

Her Highness emphasized the intention to closely collaborate with the Turkish side to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and hailed the Institute as an important pillar in enhancing the values of the Alliance.

Her Highness reaffirmed the importance she accords to quality education as a key to all progress. She referred to the Qatari experience especially in the field of independent schools, triggering competition among the various schools for providing the best educational services in addition to enhancing the parents’ role in participating in the decision making process regarding their children. According to Her Highness, this practice leads the way towards democracy and is the path towards democratizing society.