Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Chairman of the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence (KHGC) Board of Trustees, recently praised the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for promoting global harmony and peaceful coexistence. This statement came as the KHGC signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with Faith in Leadership (FiL) organization and the 1928 Institute, affiliated with Oxford University, to launch the King Hamad Leadership for Peaceful Coexistence program. The program aims to train 100 young leaders over four years, with 25 participants selected annually, empowering them through specialized training and courses developed in collaboration with international experts to foster a culture of peace and respect.
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla highlighted the significance of partnering with prestigious British academic institutions, which not only strengthens Bahrain-UK relations but also promotes peaceful coexistence and interfaith dialogue. He emphasized the importance of international collaboration in enhancing educational and academic initiatives that nurture young peacemakers, aligning with the humanitarian vision of HM the King and the directives of the government led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. This initiative also supports the principles of the “Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain” on religious freedom and the objectives of the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence.
Krish Raval OBE, Founder and Director of FiL, highlighted the program’s importance as a transformative journey that educates and equips Bahraini youth to become global ambassadors for peace and skilled advocates for coexistence and dialogue. He emphasized that the success of this program would further strengthen the strong Bahraini-British relations, reflecting the spirit of the “Declaration of the Kingdom of Bahrain” on religious freedom and belief, and aligning with FiL’s mission to build more cohesive and harmonious societies.
Dr. Lucy Hawkswell, speaking on behalf of Dr. Nikita Ved, Co-Founder of the 1928 Institute, expressed appreciation for the positive Bahraini-British collaboration on this specialized training program. She highlighted the important role of the program in preparing young leaders to champion peaceful coexistence, religious freedom, dialogue in conflict resolution, and the fight against hate speech. This collaboration underscores the commitment of both Bahrain and the UK to promoting harmony, understanding, and tolerance in the global community.
The King Hamad Leadership for Peaceful Coexistence program represents a significant step towards nurturing a new generation of leaders who value peace, respect, and understanding. By providing young leaders with the tools and resources to promote peaceful coexistence and interfaith dialogue, this initiative aims to create a more harmonious and inclusive society. The collaboration between the KHGC, FiL, and the 1928 Institute highlights the importance of international partnerships in advancing educational and academic initiatives that empower young people to become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.
In conclusion, the King Hamad Leadership for Peaceful Coexistence program stands as a testament to Bahrain’s commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and understanding on a global scale. By investing in the development of young leaders who value coexistence and dialogue, Bahrain is taking a proactive approach towards building a more peaceful and harmonious world. Through partnerships with prestigious academic institutions and organizations like FiL and the 1928 Institute, Bahrain is paving the way for a brighter future built on the principles of respect, tolerance, and unity.
