Dubai Cares commits AED 2.9m to expand IPA’s programmes in Africa

Dubai – Mubasher: Dubai Cares, part of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, on Monday announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Publishers Association (IPA).

Upon the MoU, Dubai Cares aims at supporting a number of initiatives to “address pressing African publishing ecosystem challenges, build indigenous publishing capacity, and create national cultures of reading,” according to a press release.

The MoU was signed by Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, vice president of IPA, and Tariq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares.

Under the agreement, Dubai Cares is committing AED 2.94 million ($800,000) to expand the reach of IPA’s programmes in Africa over 4 years, the release noted.

Moreover, both organisations will collaborate on new initiatives at the core of sustainable development, education, and publishing.

Dubai Cares has carried out education programmes in more than 20 African countries and it seeks to add remarkable expertise in literacy, educational publishing, and mother tongue education to the partnership.

Kenya and Morocco will be the initial focus countries of the initiative with other beneficiary countries to be announced at a later stage, the release indicated.

Bodour Al Qasimi commented: “Because it influences education, reading, and socio-cultural development, publishing can have a transformative impact on countries and individuals and serve as a tool to address challenges such as illiteracy, poverty, conflict, inequality, and unemployment. For this reason, IPA launched its Africa Regional Seminars series last year.”

“Our work in Africa is based on quickly moving from words to action, and Dubai Cares is one of the most agile, responsive partners we could hope to partner with. IPA and Dubai Cares will be working with a range of on-the-ground partners, including publishers, policymakers, and civil society, to implement innovative, replicable solutions to transform the future of African publishing,” Al Qasimi added.

Dubai Cares plays a vital role in helping achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which targets inclusive and quality education for all and encourage lifelong learning by 2030.

Mubasher Contribution Time: 20-May-2019 09:11 (GMT)
Mubasher Last Update Time: 20-May-2019 09:37 (GMT)