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Sheikh Tariq Al Qassimi meets with Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education

Al Qassimi: Lack of development of Arab talent leads to 5% loss of Arab GDP

H.E. Sheikh Tariq Bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Chairman of Emirates Investments Group (EIG) , held a meeting with Dr Hassan Mneimneh, Lebanese Minister of Education and Higher Education, at the latter's officer in Beirut to discuss avenues of joint cooperation between the Arab World Social Innovators Program (Synergos) and the Ministry.

During the meeting, Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Arab World Social Innovators Program, presented Synergos activities and the projects supported by the programme across the Arab World, pointing out possible areas of cooperation between the programme and the Lebanese ministries.

Dr Mneimneh explained some of his Ministry's achievements and activities related to supporting the innovative capabilities of Lebanese students and the future plans of the Ministry.

Both parties agreed to cooperate in support of further social innovation projects in Lebanon.

According to Al Qassimi, five percent of the total Arab gross domestic product (GDP) is being lost due to the lack of development of Arab talents. "We at the Arab World Social Innovators Program, Synergos, seek to support exceptional Arab innovators and to help transform their powerful ideas into growing social ventures in fields such as education, microenterprise, youth employment, arts and culture, environmental protection, civic engagement, and peace building," he explained.

"We know that positive social activities are the result of individual initiatives that are transformed into social activities. This transformation is a long-term project that requires enormous efforts and unique innovative energies," he added.

Al Qassimi said that Synergos is supporting two leading innovative projects in Lebanon - the Souk El Tayeb project and the Lebanon Land Community - and affirmed that the programme is looking for more innovators in Lebanon, who could be found in schools, institutions, associations or other avenues. He expressed his desire to increase cooperation between Synergos and the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education as part of his belief in the ability of the Lebanese educational system and the educational programmes at schools and universities to produce more innovators who are able to lead change.

Dr Mneimneh said, "We are proud that Synergos is behind two leading projects in Lebanon and looking forward to further cooperation with the programme. We are willing to offer support and facilities to the programme and to pave the way for a number of innovative initiatives to be developed in order to make a positive change in community".

"Synergos", from the Greek root meaning "working together", is a non-profit organization that brings together influential people and institutions in government, business and civil society, as well as poor and marginalized communities who are usually left out of the process. The programme currently supports 22 Arab innovators and community leaders who have exceptional innovative energies and talents that can serve the Arab community. World-renowned individuals and institutions that are supporting Synergos include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller, JP Morgan, Pepsi and Nike, among others.

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About Synergos:
The name "Synergos" comes from the Greek root meaning "working together." We address global poverty and social injustice by supporting and connecting leaders so they can work in collaboration to change the systems that keep people in poverty. Bringing together influential people and institutions in government, business and civil society, as well as poor and marginalized communities who are usually left out of the process, we help every part of society work together to create long-term progress.

Over more than 20 years, Synergos has supported innovative global partnerships in more than 30 countries and regions, including Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, India, Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border, the Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

To promote and support these systems-changing collaborations, our networks help leaders and leading institutions learn from each other and access the ideas, people and resources that can help them make a greater impact in addressing issues of poverty, equity and social justice. In addition, we share the knowledge learned through our work so others can benefit from our experience.

For further information, please contact:
Serine Srouji
SAHARA Communications
Tel: +971 4 3298996
Fax: +971 4 3298995
Mob: +961 3 581 208
Email: serin@saharagcc.com
Website: www.saharagcc.com

© Press Release 2010