Dubai: The 16th edition of the two-day Arab Media forum (AMF) will kick off tomorrow (Monday) at Madinat Jumeirah under the theme “Civil Dialogue”.

A number of prominent media leaders, scholars and writers will be gathering to discuss the role of media in promoting civil dialogue through highlighting the important elements of peaceful coexistence, tolerance, mutual respect as well as condemning any display of racism, hatred and prejudice.

More than 3,000 participants and experts in the media industry will be attending the two-day forum under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The forum is being organised by Dubai Press Club.

This edition’s programme includes a series of discussion sessions related to the vicissitudes in regional affairs and the importance of enhancing civil dialogue between the Arab nations, especially in regards to political and media relations in order to come up with the best possible solutions to current challenges and unlock potentials for cooperation.

The forum is also featuring “20 minutes” interactive sessions that will tackle more specialised topics.

In one of the main sessions, the “Arab image in the West” report, a survey on the American opinion of Arabs, conducted in partnership between Dubai Press Club, Arab News daily and YouGov and will see Shamma Al Mazroui, Minister of State for Youth Affairs launching a media initiative for Arab youth.

Shaikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, will present the keynote address at the opening plenary session on the second day and Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs and Chairperson of Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority will present a session titled “Constructive Dialogue.

Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation, will speak at a panel discussion on “The Silk Road”. The session will be moderated by business news presenter in Al Arabiya News Channel Nadine Hani who will discuss the role of business in enriching civil dialogue between nations.

Among the side activities announced this year is a donation drive for Syrian refugee children. The initiative called We Write for Syrian Children aims to help educate Syrian children in refugee camps and improve their access to education.