HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, Qatar’s candidate for the post of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) director-general, has delivered a lecture - “Towards the start of Unesco – yesterday, today and tomorrow” - at Qatar University (QU).

The audience comprised QU president Dr Hassan Rashid al-Derham, QU V-P and CAO Dr Mazen Hasna and QU V-P for student affairs Dr Khalid al-Khanji, as well as officials, faculty and staff from the university.

More than 100 students from across QU colleges were also on hand to hear HE Dr al-Kuwari’s remarks.

HE Dr al-Kuwari gave an overview of the international organisation’s role and outlined details of his candidature for the post of the Unesco director-general as well as his leadership plans.

He noted that as the national university of Qatar, QU was well-placed to host the lecture. This was among a number of lectures he would deliver around the world, he added.

“Unesco places education and culture at the core of its mission,” he said. “The General Assembly of the United Nations considers education as a key component to achieve economic development in various countries.”

HE Dr al-Kuwari highlighted his diplomatic background and noted that he is from a country - Qatar - that plays a significant role in promoting dialogue among different cultures and religions.

This places Qatar as a cultural platform to advance dialogue among civilisations, he said, noting that education is at the core of the vision of his leadership plans, particularly for women and youth. “Women have the right to quality education and participate fully in the development of their societies,” he said.

He highlighted the pivotal role of “cultural diplomacy” in paving the way for dialogue among communities towards the realisation of human development and peace, and also pointed to the importance of developing legislation to protect of heritage and cultural diversity.

Dr al-Derham said, “It is a proud moment for Qatar University to be the first platform for HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari to share insights on his candidature for the post of the director-general of Unesco. His candidature reflects Qatar’s wise leadership that places education, culture and human development at the top of its national priorities.”