Cairo, January 20, 2025 – The Arab Council for Childhood and Development (ACCD), under the esteemed patronage of ACCD President Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, recently hosted an insightful workshop on the Media Observatory for Arab Child Rights. The event, which was held in collaboration with the League of Arab States and the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND), brought together more than 25 distinguished experts in media and child rights from five Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Libya.
The primary focus of the workshop was to discuss the implementation of a newly introduced component of the Media Observatory’s work, titled "Arab Child and Digital Environment." This initiative aims to address the increasing influence of digital platforms and applications on children, recognizing the profound impact the digital world has on young people today. The experts convened to explore the general framework of this new component, examining its motivations, objectives, and the methodology for its successful implementation across the Arab world. The discussions were particularly timely, given the rapid rise in the use of digital technologies and the growing reliance on children’s applications within the region.
In his opening remarks, ACCD Secretary General Dr. Hassan Al-Bilawi underscored the importance of the new "Arab Child and Digital Environment" component, emphasizing the child’s fundamental right to a secure and protective media environment in all aspects of life. Dr. Al-Bilawi highlighted the growing necessity to adapt to the digital age, where children are increasingly immersed in digital platforms. The workshop's focus, he explained, was not only on safeguarding children’s rights in the digital space but also on empowering them to thrive in this evolving technological landscape. As the world undergoes successive industrial revolutions, the goal is to harness the immense potential of technology and ensure that it serves the development and well-being of future generations.
The discussions during the workshop aimed to devise practical strategies for creating a digital environment that is both safe and conducive to the healthy development of children in the Arab world. Experts agreed on the need for continued collaboration across countries and sectors to safeguard children’s rights in the digital realm. Furthermore, they explored how to leverage digital tools to enhance education, communication, and overall opportunities for children, ensuring that the digital transformation benefits future generations in a sustainable and ethical way.
This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the ACCD and its partners, which seek to empower children and ensure their rights are protected in the face of rapid technological advancements. The workshop concluded with a renewed commitment to advocating for children’s rights in the digital era, recognizing that the future of the Arab world depends on a generation that is not only safe in its digital environment but also equipped to harness the opportunities of a rapidly changing world.