DUBAI, 4 October — In contradiction to a report circulated yesterday by the AFP news agency, the government of Dubai and the STARS Foundation have announced their decision to remodel and extend the Science, Technology and Arts Royal Summit (STARS 2001) charity event in Dubai into a series of children’s charity initiatives that will be implemented over then next four months.
The STARS Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to harness technological breakthroughs to make life better for the underprivileged children of the world.
The event which was due to take place on Oct. 13-14, will now kick-off on Oct. 14 with a keynote address from former US President Bill Clinton and will continue through to January 2002, culminating with a major event on Jan. 16-19.
Amr Al-Dabbagh, chairman of STARS Foundation, said, “The decision to adopt this new approach to STARS 2001 has been taken in light of the recent tragic events in the United States. Today, more than ever before, we feel that the world needs mutual cooperation, understanding and dialogue between various cultures. We all need what the STARS Foundation was set up to do; to help improve the world we live in and use the achievements of mankind in Science, Technology and the Arts over the last two centuries to create a better world for underprivileged children.”
He continued, “Bill Clinton will therefore open a very different international Royal Summit later this month with a very important keynote address, coming as it does at a time when the STARS theme of ‘East meets West’ seems even more appropriate and urgent. A series of charity initiatives to make a difference and raise funds for children worldwide will be announced at this event.”
At January’s Royal Summit, Clinton will return as the special guest of honor. In addition, dignitaries from around the world will be invited to Dubai to learn of STARS‚ first achievements in creating a better life for underprivileged children and be presented with a plan addressing how the world can better deliver on the hopes, aspirations and rights of its young people.
The Royal Summit will be held under the auspices of the Dubai government, the Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, UNICEF, The Global Movement for Children, Queen Rania’s Jordan River Foundation and the Small Faces Children’s Charitable Trust.
“We strongly believe, as do all of those who have been committed to STARS from the outset, that this course of action is a deeply humanitarian way forward,” said Al-Dabbagh.
“Dubai, the Arab World and the international community will join together on Oct. 14 to achieve something humane at a time of deep moral cynicism to begin a program helping children worldwide.”
