A call to dismantle stereotypes and highlight inspiring Arab achievements was made at a landmark seminar titled “Mechanisms for Intercultural Dialogue and Presenting the Image of Arabs”.
As part of the Sharjah International Book Fair 2026, held under the overarching theme “We Write Chapters”, the Arab Organisation for Dialogue and International Cooperation, in partnership with the Arab Union for Media and Culture, hosted an intellectual symposium on the subject. The panel brought together a distinguished group of intellectual, academic and media figures from across the Arab world.
The session featured an open dialogue with attendees, led by keynote speaker Professor Hanan Youssef, Professor of Media and Head of the Arab Initiative for Intercultural Dialogue. She outlined the philosophy and mission of the initiative as a strategic regional project designed to foster meaningful communication between the Arab world and global cultures. The initiative seeks to deliver a more balanced and nuanced portrayal of Arab societies by illuminating their cultural, civilisational and human identity, alongside their enduring contributions to global civilisation.
Dr Youssef underscored the need to move beyond passive commentary on how Arabs are depicted in international media. Instead, she urged active participation in shaping that narrative by championing successful, inspiring Arab role models and mobilising cultural, media and academic dialogue tools to counter entrenched stereotypes and preconceived biases arising from one-sided media coverage.
She explained that the Arab Initiative for Intercultural Dialogue operates as a flagship strategic programme under the Arab Organisation for Dialogue and International Cooperation, in collaboration with the Arab Union for Media and Culture. Officially inaugurated at a major celebration coinciding with the Arab League Summit at the end of last December, the initiative acts as an Arab platform consolidating efforts to nurture dialogue, mutual understanding, tolerance, coexistence and respect for cultural and civilisational diversity.
The initiative spans multiple academic, media, cultural and educational tracks, enabling broad participation from institutions, universities, intellectuals, journalists and advocates of cultural dialogue. This structure translates its foundational goals into practical, high-impact projects and activities across regional and international spheres.
Looking ahead, Dr Youssef outlined the main focus areas for the initiative’s second phase, in its second year. Key targets include refining programme structures, expanding the participant base and deepening strategic ties with cultural, academic and media entities, so as to establish the initiative as an active Arab hub for knowledge production, expertise sharing and inspiring success stories.
The seminar also included remarks from Professor Sahar Al-Oubad, President of the Emirates Volunteer Association and a member of the Arab Initiative for Intercultural Dialogue and the Image of Arabs. Dr Al-Oubad commended the initiative’s momentum and the distinctiveness of its message, and highlighted the leadership of Professor Hanan Youssef in transforming abstract goals into impactful cross-cultural initiatives.
Moderated by the Iraqi academic and media personality Dr Karima Al-Saadi, the panel prompted spirited audience engagement and drew prominent cultural figures from across the region, reflecting the issue’s vital role in defining the future of the Arab voice within the global cultural arena.
In her closing remarks, Professor Youssef issued an open invitation to thinkers, academics, media professionals, educational institutions and cultural advocates to join the initiative’s programmes. She emphasised that presenting a bright, authentic Arab narrative to the international community is a collective responsibility requiring unified efforts and shared expertise.
She expressed sincere gratitude to the management of the Sharjah International Book Fair for hosting the session and providing a platform for intellectual exchange, noting that the fair’s 2026 theme, “We Write Chapters”, perfectly mirrors the core ethos of the initiative.
“The Arab Initiative for Intercultural Dialogue is an Arab story we have crafted to inspire the world,” Dr Youssef affirmed, noting that stories are not merely spoken words, but lived experiences, values and achievements that build awareness and shape perceptions. She concluded that the Arab world possesses a rich civilisational and human heritage that deserves to be shared globally using modern tools and contemporary expression.
Arab Organisation for Dialogue and International Cooperation – Arab Union for Media and Culture
