Reem Alshamsi, Wdad Ali, and Rayyan Alkaabi here.

The Emirates Airline Festival of Literature‘s Youth Day is a celebration of creative thinking, sharing ideas, and charismatic speakers. It’s a golden chance for all young people to hear inspiring speeches and to participate in the conversation. On February 1 of this year, we visited the place and had a wonderful experience, and we want to share it.

As Rayyan says: “1 February is the international youth day. I visited it with my colleagues and am happy to have this chance and would like to share my experience about the opportunity I had. Everything was managed on time and well-prepared. My favorite part among the sessions is the discussion on artificial intelligence by Nizar Habash and Toby Walsh, and the question they raised about what happens when the Arab world meets artificial intelligence: Can AI systems ever be creative? Can they be moral?”

She continued: “It was a wonderful participation in International Youth Day and there was much enthusiasm among the participants who experienced the event. Attending such events provides valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and engagement. The session explored the intersection of Arabic and artificial intelligence, as well as the potential for AI systems to exhibit creativity and morality, which seems intellectually stimulating. The friendly and welcoming nature of the moderators likely contributed to a positive and inclusive environment for all participants.”

Reem elaborated: “It was such an interesting experience that I didn’t think it would be this fun and informative. Each panel was a masterpiece itself; the panel and interview held a magnificent chemistry. Seeing the students come from different countries and cultures made the whole experience fruitful. One session that stuck with me was Mai Al Nakib, a touching passage she wrote and spoke rhetorically. It made us think about how we, in our youth days, can change the world and correct things that our previous generation failed to achieve. It was a touching speech and a smart way to end this wonderful experience.”

Wdad shared her own insights about some of the things that she found particularly enriching from attending the event: “The Festival of Literature unfolded with a vibrant tapestry of memorable moments. Under the expansive sky and perfect weather, attendees reveled in the enchanting ambiance of the outdoor venue, lending a magical touch to the event. What truly made the gathering extraordinary was its kaleidoscope of cultures, as people from all corners of the globe converged in one place, igniting conversations that traversed borders and boundaries. Despite the seamless organization, a hint of drama emerged when one of the moderators, lost in the world of her phone, failed to captivate and engage the audience – and the speaker himself – leaving a gap in the otherwise flawless proceedings. Amidst this whirlwind, the arrival of literary luminary Saud Alsanousi electrified the atmosphere. Meeting him was akin to stepping into the pages of his books, and his signature adorning my cherished copy of” فئران امي حصة”  became a treasured memento of an unforgettable day at the festival.”

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Just in case you missed it, earlier this morning, our PhD Candidates shared their insights about their experience during the Emirates Literature Festival. While you’re at it, please make sure to visit Fajer Bin Rashed’s #UAEReads post on another Saud Alsanousi event during the Emirates Literature Festival.

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About the Guest Contributors for #UAEReads:

Reem Alshamsi, a student at United Arab Emirates University, is pursuing her undergraduate studies in special education, specializing in gifted and talented education. As an aspiring educator, her goal is to achieve an  inclusive education for all children and to establish an enduring and sustainable curriculum for the future.

Wdad Ali, an undergraduate at UAEU, is majoring in Special Education and specializing in particular on the gifted and talented. Driven by a desire for inclusivity and equality, Wedad is passionate about ensuring everyone has an equal chance to thrive. Alongside her studies, she is an entrepreneur with a commitment to making a difference and works as a part-time SURE+ research assistant, contributing to advancements in her field. With her dedication to education and advocacy, Wedad embodies the spirit of empowerment and positive change.

 

Rayyan Alkaabi is an undergraduate student at UAEU majoring in Special Education specializing in gifted and talented education. She was born and raised in Fujairah, UAE.
As an educator, she aims to inspire and empower students and to foster a love of learning in her students!

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About the Guest Editor/Curator for March 2024 [#UAEReads]:

Myra Garces-Bacsal has served as a teacher educator for 15 years and has led several research projects on reading and social emotional learning, diverse picturebooks and teacher practices, psychology of high creatives and exceptional people, culturally responsive and inclusive education. She is a quintessential lover and creator of booklists (see her Social and Emotional Learning bookshelf here and other publications below). Myra serves as the Assistant Dean for Research and Graduate Studies with the College of Education, UAE University. She is a self-proclaimed nerd who lives and breathes books and enjoys organizing events and festivals where fellow nerds converge and attempt to joyfully change the world.

Publications on booklists:

Garces-Bacsal, R. M., Alhosani, N. M., Elhoweris, H., Tupas, R. (2023). A diverse social and emotional learning booklist for gifted learners and advanced readers. Roeper Review, 45(1), 25-36. https://doi.org/10.1080/02783193.2022.2145397

Garces-Bacsal, R. M., Alhosani, N. M., Elhoweris, H., Al Ghufli, H. T., AlOwais, N. M., Baja, E. S., & Tupas, R. (2022). Using diverse picturebooks for inclusive practices and transformative pedagogies. In M. Efstratopoulou (Ed.), Rethinking Inclusion and Transformation in Special Education (pp. 72-92). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-4680-5.ch005

Garces-Bacsal, R. M. (2021). Of grit and gumption, sass and verve: What gifted students can learn from multicultural picture book biographies. In S. R. Smith’s Handbook of giftedness and talent development in Australasian Pacific (pp. 431-453). Singapore: Springer International Handbooks of Education. https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-981-13-3041-4_18

Garces-Bacsal, R. M. (2020). Diverse books for diverse children: Building an early childhood diverse booklist for social and emotional learning. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 22(1), 66-95. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468798420901856