Saudi toymaker helps Arab children connect with heritage
Her toys reflect Islam, Arab culture, says founder Shahd Al-Athel
Products encourage children to play with palm and not pine, Xmas trees
Updated 04 November 2024
Tareq Al-Thaqafi
MAKKAH: The Jawlah Foundation in Saudi Arabia has been creating toys and games since 2020 to give children a deeper connection with Arab culture while improving their cognitive abilities.
Founder Shahd Al-Athel, a Saudi education specialist, who spoke to Arab News recently, said the company was founded because she saw “a clear gap in the content of children’s toys.”
Al-Athel said that the market for children’s toys “does not reflect our Islamic environment or represent the identity of our Arab children.”
“For instance, instead of playing with toys such as palm trees, children were engaging with Christmas trees and pine trees.”
Al-Athel spent her formative years in the US, which she says shaped her childhood activities and ideas on traditions, and she felt disconnected from her heritage.
While her friends in the US engaged in customs that reflected their identity and heritage, she yearned to do so herself.
At 15, Al-Athel moved to Saudi Arabia, where she experienced the warmth of family relationships and the richness of Arab and Islamic culture for the first time.
In the Kingdom, Al-Athel developed a sense of belonging, and gained a great deal of knowledge about her identity at secondary school by engaging in activities with fellow learners.
At university, Al-Athel decided to specialize in education. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from the University of Hartford in the US, followed by a master’s degree in educational technology and digital design from New York University.
Al-Athel said she worked for the children’s television show “Sesame Street” in New York, contributing to the development of English-language content tailored for a culturally diverse audience.
However, she felt that the work did not align with her ambition to create educational content for Arab children, prompting her to leave the company.
Returning to Saudi Arabia, she joined Saudi Aramco and worked at the entrepreneurship center Wa’ed, which serves as an incubator for businesses and startups.
Al-Athel spent a year at Wa’ed, during which she learned the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and gained experience in project management that would ultimately prepare her to establish her own company.
After giving birth to her first son, Abdullah, the family moved to Malaysia. As a dedicated mother keen on shaping his identity, she sought methods to teach Abdullah Arabic.
However, she found it challenging to find suitable educational materials for this purpose.
These were all experiences that inspired her to eventually create Jawlah.
Saudi Arabia, France deepen cultural cooperation with new executive programs
Updated 39 min 13 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: French President Emmanuel Macron signed an executive program with French cultural institutions in Saudi Arabia during his visit to the Kingdom on Tuesday.
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan met with his French counterpart, Rachida Dati, during the visit.
The executive programs focus on fostering partnerships relating to heritage, museums, libraries, film and other cultural sectors. Activities include training artists, conducting archaeological surveys, organizing educational workshops and more.
The agreements represent a milestone in Saudi-French cultural relations, highlighting a shared commitment to advancing global cultural heritage and fostering innovation in the arts.
The executive programs were signed with the following institutions:
National Monuments Center
Operator of Heritage and Cultural Real Estate Projects
French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research
Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Creation Industrielle
National Library of France
Grand Palais
National Center for Cinema and the Moving Image
National Institute of Cultural Heritage of France
Saudi crown prince holds meetings on sidelines of One Water Summit
Updated 04 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the One Water Summit held in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Prince Mohammed met with French President Emmanuel Macron and heads of top French companies.
They discussed efforts to combat desertification, exchanging expertise and innovative technologies, and enhancing research and development to address water challenges and ensure the sustainability of water resources.
The crown prince also met with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan, Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene, Prime Minister of Mongolia, Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Ajaypal Singh Banga, President of the World Bank Group.
The meetings revolved around bilateral relations, joint coordination to address environmental challenges related to water scarcity and drought, in addition to issues of mutual interest.
The summit was jointly chaired by Saudi Arabia, France and Kazakhstan, and supported by the World Bank.
It underscored Saudi Arabia’s pioneering international role in confronting water challenges across the world and its commitment to sustainable environmental issues.
During his opening remarks, the crown prince said the summit was being held in conjunction with the Kingdom hosting the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, which aims to reduce land degradation and drought.
He said that the Kingdom had contributed $6 billion in supporting 200 water-related projects in more than 60 developing countries around the world.
Crown prince: World is facing mounting challenges in water sector
Kingdom ‘has contributed $6bn in supporting 200 water-related projects in over 60 developing countries’
Prince Mohammed also confirmed Saudi Arabia preparing to host World Water Forum 2027
Updated 04 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: The world is facing mounting challenges in the water sector, including rising drought rates that lead to multiple crises represented by a shortage of usable water, the exacerbation of desertification, and the subsequent threat to human life and societies, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Tuesday.
He was speaking while inaugurating the One Water Summit in Riyadh in the presence of several presidents and top officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and several ministers and officials were also present.
The crown prince said the summit was being held in conjunction with the Kingdom hosting the 16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, which aims to reduce land degradation and drought.
He said that the Kingdom had contributed $6 billion in supporting 200 water-related projects in more than 60 developing countries around the world.
The summit is being jointly chaired by Saudi Arabia, France and Kazakhstan, and supported by the World Bank.
It underscores Saudi Arabia’s pioneering international role in confronting water challenges across the world and its commitment to sustainable environmental issues.
The crown prince also confirmed that Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the World Water Forum 2027, in cooperation with the World Water Council.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, he called on UN member states and international private sector organizations to join the World Water Organization that the Kingdom will establish to develop and integrate efforts to address water challenges.
The crown prince expressed his hope that the efforts of the international community to address water challenges will contribute to achieving the goals to which all aspire.
The Saudi-French Investment Forum in Riyadh, also on Tuesday, marked an important milestone in bilateral relations, with the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding and investment agreements worth billions of dollars.
Held to coincide with the state visit of President Macron, the event brought together officials, policymakers, and business leaders from both nations, aiming to align their national visions for a prosperous future.
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih welcomed French stakeholders in his opening remarks, emphasizing the strong ties between the two countries.
He praised Macron as a “good friend of the Kingdom, leading a strong delegation.”
Al-Falih highlighted the enduring economic partnership, the breadth of sectors covered, and the presence of French companies in Saudi Arabia.
“Every time there is an event involving Saudi Arabia and France, there is a special magic and attraction,” he said, noting France’s early support for Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030.
Macron highlighted in his remarks opportunities for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, technology, culture, and artificial intelligence, noting the synergy between Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030.
He said: “For all the French business people and investors, I want to encourage them to invest more in this country because investing here is investing in the cornerstone of the whole region.”
Tuesday’s forum hosted six panels, featured 50 keynote speakers, and facilitated hundreds of bilateral meetings.
Marc Ferracci, French minister delegate for industry, underscored the forum’s importance in strengthening ties amid Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented transformation. “The Kingdom is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in recent history,” Ferracci said.
How Saudi Arabia and France aligned national visions for prosperity at Riyadh investment forum
Deals struck at Saudi-French Investment Forum deemed an important milestone in bilateral relations
French President Emmanuel Macron highlights the synergy between Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030
Updated 03 December 2024
Zeina Zbibo
RIYADH: The Saudi-French Investment Forum that took place in Riyadh on Tuesday marked an important milestone in bilateral relations, with the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding and investment agreements worth billions of dollars.
Held to coincide with the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, the event brought together officials, policymakers, and business leaders from both nations, aiming to align their national visions for a prosperous future.
In his opening remarks, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih welcomed French stakeholders, emphasizing the strong ties between the two countries. He lauded Macron as a “good friend of the Kingdom, leading a strong delegation.”
Al-Falih highlighted the enduring economic partnership, the breadth of sectors covered, and the presence of French companies in Saudi Arabia. “Every time there is an event involving Saudi Arabia and France, there is a special magic and attraction,” he said, noting France’s early support for Riyadh’s bid to host EXPO 2030.
In his opening remarks, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih lauded Macron as a “good friend of the Kingdom, leading a strong delegation.” (Supplied)
Among the agreements signed were collaborations with French oil giant TotalEnergies and Al Jumeih Energy and Water for the Rabigh 2 solar power plant. Additionally, power purchase agreements for the Al Masa’a and Al Hnakia 2 solar projects involved EDF, SPIC, and the Saudi Power Procurement Company.
Another major deal involved the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), and Veolia, focusing on waste management and recycling initiatives in the Kingdom.
In his own remarks at the Forum, Macron highlighted opportunities for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, technology, culture, and artificial intelligence, noting the synergy between Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030.
“For all the French business-people and investors, I want to encourage them to invest more in this country because investing here is investing in the cornerstone of the whole region,” he said.
The Saudi-French Investment Forum brought together officials, policymakers, and business leaders from both nations, aiming to align their national visions for a prosperous future. (AN Photo)
On Monday, Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman signed a strategic partnership aimed at boosting cooperation in defense, energy, and AI.
The partnership aims at “multiplying co-operation and concrete achievements in all areas,” the Elesee Palace said in a statement. It also includes plans to co-host a Summit for Action on AI in Paris in February, according to the Elysee.
Tuesday’s Forum built on a long history of cooperation, highlighted by reciprocal delegations at major events like VivaTech in Paris and Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference. Al-Falih emphasized the shared history, values, and mutual respect underpinning the partnership.
“Saudis love anything French — French design, French furniture, French technology,” he said.
A major deal involving the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), and Veolia, focusing on waste management and recycling initiatives in the Kingdom, was signed during the event. (AFP)
Al-Falih noted that Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council’s fastest-growing economy, achieved 3 billion euros in French investment in 2023. France is the Kingdom’s second-largest foreign investor.
“We are ahead of targets in overall investment, and (France) was a significant part in achieving our targets,” said Al-Falih.
“The value of our trade relations exceeded 10 billion euros last year; and with roughly 3 billion euros of French investment into the Kingdom in 2023, and the nation’s accumulated foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia reached 17 billion euros.”
He added: “We are proud to be hosting in Saudi Arabia close to 500 leading French companies. Significantly, around 30 of these companies have established their regional headquarters here in Riyadh because their target is not just the Saudi market but to use Saudi Arabia as a platform to reach further beyond.
“We stand today as the world is changing so fast in a new era of partnership. There is alignment of our interests and complementarity in our capabilities. And we also have shared worldviews that are lifting this partnership to a new height, culminating in the signing of our strategic partnership.”
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during the Saudi-French Investment Forum during an official visit in Riyadh on December 3, 2024. (AFP)
Green energy was a central theme, with agreements supporting renewable energy projects and emphasizing sustainability’s role in economic growth. French biopharma leader Sanofi also signed agreements to expand its healthcare projects in Saudi Arabia.
French expertise continues to play a significant role in Saudi Arabia’s development, from Riyadh Metro to the innovative tram systems in AlUla. The historic region, home to Saudi Arabia’s cherished heritage sites, is set to welcome Macron on Wednesday, reflecting ongoing cultural cooperation led by the French Agency for AlUla Development (Afalula).
French experts have been deeply involved with development in the historic region of northwestern Saudi Arabia. “Sharaan” by Jean Nouvel and Villa Hegra by Lacaton and Vassal are just two examples of cultural and heritage cooperation.
Tuesday’s Forum hosted six panels, featuring 50 keynote speakers, and facilitated hundreds of bilateral meetings. Themes included net-zero policies, urbanization, technology, entertainment, and fostering innovation.
The Saudi-French Investment Forum hosted six panels, featuring 50 keynote speakers, and facilitated hundreds of bilateral meetings. (Supplied)
French Minister Delegate for Industry Marc Ferracci underscored the Forum’s importance in strengthening ties amid Saudi Arabia’s unprecedented transformation.
“The Kingdom is undergoing one of the biggest transformations in recent history,” Ferracci told the Forum. “And as the second largest investor in the Kingdom, France supports the Kingdom in different sectors.
“Saudi Vision 2030 and France 2030 are transformative blueprints designed to tackle the challenges of our time, creating sustainable growth for the future, and the development of smart inclusive cities,” he added.
The objectives of France’s National Vision include achieving carbon neutrality and cooperation on green energy.
Ferracci added that France views Saudi Arabia as a vital partner, emphasizing shared goals of carbon neutrality and innovation. “The forum is a testament to our economic relationship and an opportunity to shape the future of our partnership,” he said.
Macron was received at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday. (X/@Bandaralgaloud)
The French economy is viewed as a gateway, offering access to the wider European market, making it an attractive investment destination.
“The relationship between Saudi Arabia and France is not new, rather dates back to centuries not decades,” Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, the mayor of Riyadh, told the Forum.
He highlighted historical milestones, including the meeting between Saudi King Faisal and French President Charles de Gaulle in 1967, which marked the debut of stronger ties, evolving through personal contacts and visits at the highest levels.
King Khalid visited France in 1978 and 1981, and King Fahd visited twice when he was crown prince, in 1975 and 1981.
Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, the mayor of Riyadh, highlighted historical milestones, including the meeting between Saudi King Faisal and French President Charles de Gaulle in 1967, which marked the debut of stronger ties. (AFP)
“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 represents an ambitious roadmap towards a more prosperous and sustainable future,” said Prince Faisal.
“Riyadh, as the capital of the Kingdom, plays a pivotal role in achieving that Vision. The city is undergoing an unprecedented economic developmental transformation. The city today stands as a workshop … the future is greater than what we can imagine.”
Prince Faisal highlighted the examples of King Salman Park, which aspires to be the largest urban park in the world, and New Murrabbaa, which is set to become the world’s largest urban development.
“It’s not our journey alone,” said Prince Faisal. “We invite everyone to join.”
Macron tours At-Turaif district as Saudi Arabia, France sign major cultural agreements
Macron and his delegation explored At-Turaif, attended a horse show, and toured the Diriyah Museum
Updated 03 December 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: French President Emmanuel Macron visited the historic At-Turaif district in Diriyah on Tuesday during his official trip to Saudi Arabia, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Hosted by Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan, the visit highlighted the district’s historical significance as the birthplace of the Saudi state and its UNESCO World Heritage status.
Macron and his delegation explored At-Turaif, attended a horse show, and toured the Diriyah Museum, SPA added.
The visit also showcased the growing cultural collaboration between Saudi Arabia and France, which reached a milestone with the signing of nine executive programs aimed at advancing cultural heritage, museums, libraries, and cinema.
Among the agreements, Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission partnered with French institutions to enhance site management, restoration, and archaeological research.
The Museums Commission also signed agreements to facilitate exhibition exchanges, provide training programs for professionals, and expand expertise in photography.
In the libraries sector, an agreement with the National Library of France will focus on preserving Islamic and Arabic manuscripts while sharing knowledge on their management.
In the field of cinema, Saudi Arabia’s Film Authority entered a partnership with the French National Center for Cinema and Moving Images to support the development of Saudi talent, preserve cinematic heritage, and encourage joint productions.
