The First International Conference on Media Education in the Middle East, which took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between March 4 and 7 2007, was organized by the International Mentor Media Education Association, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia.
The Conference, launched by HE Saudi Minister of Education, was sponsored by His Royal Highness King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz.
Overall, the event was a great success. The conference received wide media coverage, not only in Saudi Arabia but also in other Gulf and Arab countries.
Saudi officials and members of the Saudi Royal family attended the opening session, which attracted more than 1,500 guests from around the world. There were speakers from the Arab World, Europe, Asia, USA, Latin America and Africa. A representative from the European Commission was also present.
Participants expressed their appreciation of the international spirit of the conference, in which different points of view and practices were discussed. They also stressed the importance of fostering this kind of international debate and academic exchange on a regular basis, as a way of developing a new forum for intercultural dialogue. The cultural differences enriched the debates and paved the way for a fruitful dialogue leading towards an increased mutual understanding.