logo
SPC launches ‘From Sharjah, We Begin' podcast

SPC launches ‘From Sharjah, We Begin' podcast

Sharjah 2402-07-2025
Ithmar is one of the UAE's leading media initiatives focused on empowering children and youth. The programme provides practical training that keeps pace with the latest developments in the media industry.
The seventh edition is scheduled to begin on July 14, and will run for a month. During this period, Ithmar graduates will undergo specialised training in podcast production and hosting. The training is offered in partnership with CNN Arabic and a select group of media professionals with experience in vocal production and audio storytelling.
A Human-centered Approach
His Excellency Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of SGMB, said the programme reflects the emirate's long-term investment in future generations. Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the programme aims to equip young people with the necessary tools of self-expression, responsibility, and media professionalism.
Allay described Ithmar as a comprehensive programme that develops media talent from an early age, preparing young professionals to create content that conveys the UAE's cultural and humanitarian values.
He also pointed out that the podcast 'From Sharjah, We Begin' helps participants establish a positive presence across digital platforms that can reach and inspire wider audiences. This aligns with Sharjah's ongoing efforts to propose a media model focused on putting people first.
From Passion to Production
In the upcoming edition of Ithmar, participants gain hands-on experience in podcast production. From brainstorming ideas to writing scripts, recording, and editing, they learn how to create episodes that express their interests and perspectives, while enhancing their analysis, critical thinking, and communication skills.
This edition of Ithmar builds on the outcomes of six previous cycles, which have trained more than 450 participants and delivered 200 hours of workshops since its inception.
Participants this year, aged 10-15, were chosen through a selection process that included nominations from previous Ithmar graduates with an interest in audio content. A specialised committee then evaluated candidates to ensure they had the passion and commitment to fully participate in the programme.
Sustaining the Mission
SPC continues to engage with current and former Ithmar participants through long-term support, events, and platforms that allow them to expand their skills and contribute to the media landscape.
The training programme has provided its graduates with opportunities to take part in major local and international events, including the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), the Global Media Congress, and the Saudi Media Forum.
In recognition of its excellence, Ithmar was awarded the Kuwait Creativity Award for its role in preparing the next generation of media changemakers. The programme offers participants advanced media training in collaboration with local and international organisations.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Sharjah Youth cultivates future leaders through activities
Sharjah Youth cultivates future leaders through activities

Sharjah 24

timea day ago

  • Sharjah 24

Sharjah Youth cultivates future leaders through activities

The event featured a variety of educational and practical programmes that combined arts, technical, and professional skills, aiming to hone their skills and build their capacities in an advanced educational environment. Creating informed and creative generations The event, held on Thursday, is part of a series of events organised by APC in Sharjah for its parliamentarians. This event is part of the comprehensive vision established by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to support Arab children and create informed and influential generations, qualified to shape their future with knowledge, awareness, and responsibility. Youth studio Programmes included a comprehensive set of specialised workshops distributed across several tracks, the most prominent of which was the "Youth Studio" track, which included the "Animation" programme. Participants participated in a series of workshops in which they learned the importance of visual presentation and the basics of drawing. They also learned how to use the "Procreate" programme and produce professionally animated scenes, enhancing their artistic abilities and connecting them to modern digital technologies. Miniature world The "Miniature World" workshop opened the horizons of photography for child parliamentarians. They received training in photo-taking skills, controlling lighting and angles, and visual expression using the camera. This also enhanced their creativity and imagination in producing images that express their own vision of beauty and the moment. Creative writing In the Creative Writing track, parliamentarians participated in the "Short Story Writing" programme as part of the "Speaker" programme'. They learned how to express their ideas and experiences in an engaging literary style, while also training in condensation, abbreviation, and scenario formulation techniques. This provided them with the opportunity to enter the world of authorship and writing with awareness and professionalism. Artistic field In the artistic field, the workshops featured a rich variety of activities, most notably the "Pottery Shaping" workshop, which allowed participants to practice an important visual art that complements Arabic calligraphy. They learned how to shape pottery using creative methods that can be applied to paintings or sculptures, adding a new aesthetic dimension to their craftsmanship. Architectural model Children also participated in creating geometric models through the "Architectural Model" workshop, where they designed three-dimensional models of realistic buildings using wood chips. This enabled them to interact with design and construction concepts, connect imagination with urban reality, and instil their engineering thinking and spatial planning skills. Science and technology In the field of science and technology, parliamentarians undertook a unique technological experience in the "LEGO Robotics" workshop, which focused on introducing them to the design and construction of robots and how to interact with them in a practical way. This enhanced their programming skills and connected them to the world of modern technology and logical thinking. On the vocational front, the children received practical training in the "Auto Mechanics" workshop, which introduced them to home maintenance skills, from plumbing and carpentry to technical repairs. This training framework connects them to daily life skills that enhance their independence and ability to deal with simple challenges in their daily lives. APC members engaged greatly with these workshops, showing remarkable enthusiasm and a willingness to learn new things. These activities provided a fertile ground for self-discovery and expanding horizons of knowledge, reflecting the advanced approach adopted by the Rubu' Qarn Foundation and Sharjah Youth in caring for children and youth. Unique collaboration In this context, His Excellency Ayman Othman Al Barout, Secretary-General of APC, expressed his pride in this unique collaboration with the Rubu' Qarn Foundation, emphasising that these programmmes represent a strong start to their meeting in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, as part of the second session of the Parliament's fourth term. Programmes clearly translate Sharjah's vision of empowering Arab children through learning, innovation, and creativity. Investing in children Al Barout said that organisation and quality programmes seen at Sharjah Youth reflect a leadership vision that invests in childhood and provides parliamentarians with the opportunity to acquire advanced skills that will accompany them in their future endeavours. The partnership between APC and the Rubu' Qarn Foundation is now yielding tangible programmes that build minds and stimulate energies in an inspiring, interactive environment."

SPC launches phase 1 of ‘From Sharjah, We Begin' podcast training
SPC launches phase 1 of ‘From Sharjah, We Begin' podcast training

Sharjah 24

time14-07-2025

  • Sharjah 24

SPC launches phase 1 of ‘From Sharjah, We Begin' podcast training

Al Suwaidi noted that Ithmar is part of SGMB's wider efforts to support emerging talent by introducing them to platforms that allow for self-expression and skill building in a supportive environment. The seventh edition, she added, builds on the outcomes of previous editions, with a particular emphasis on audio media, which has become an increasingly important space for positive influence. Al Suwaidi said that involving children in podcast production gives them a real-world experience in creating content that reflects their realities and is relevant to their communities. The first week of training covers a range of voice and presentation skills, including microphone confidence, tone control, clarity in pronunciation, and storytelling. Participants also practice news reading, podcast introductions, and the difference between live recording and edited audio. Sessions include exercises on using positive, expressive language and engaging listeners through sound. Later in the week, participants move into interview techniques, active listening, and on-camera presence, with a full podcast simulation to close out the week. By the end of the programme, participants are expected to understand how to take an idea from concept to final recording and to work as a team to produce a complete podcast episode. SPC continues to update and expand the 'Ithmar' programme to meet the interests of young people, providing them the tools to take part in shaping the future of media locally and internationally.

Chad Arab Poetry Forum: A canvas of culture
Chad Arab Poetry Forum: A canvas of culture

Sharjah 24

time04-07-2025

  • Sharjah 24

Chad Arab Poetry Forum: A canvas of culture

The Republic of Chad hosted the fourth edition of the Arab Poetry Forum on Wednesday, in the capital, N'Djamena. The two-day event was organised by the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture, in cooperation with the Literary Club of Chad, and featured the participation of forty poets from across the country. Promoting Arab culture The Arab Poetry Forums in Africa are in implementation of the directives of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, calling for the support of the Arabic language and the strengthening of the presence of Arabic poetry in Africa. These forums serve as a platform for raising awareness, a bridge for communication, and a platform for showcasing poetic talent across the continent, within a comprehensive vision that promotes Arab culture and enhances its role in human development. The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by His Excellency Rashid bin Saeed Al Shamsi, UAE Ambassador to Chad; His Excellency Minister Saleh Djouma Joudeh, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chadian Government; His Excellency the Minister in Charge of Bilingualism in Chad; and the Vice President of King Faisal University. Representatives of Arab embassies, university and institute professors, students, and fans of Arabic poetry. The forum was introduced by Dr Ahmed Abu Al Fath Othman, the Cultural Coordinator in Chad, who emphasised that the fourth edition was keen to include all regions of Chad, providing a national platform for poetry lovers and a bridge connecting the south and the north, between professionals and talents. 40 Chadian poets Abu Al Fath noted that this year's forum is seeing the participation of forty poets from across the country, in a diverse poetic scene that expresses the richness of the Chadian cultural experience and the diversity of its tributaries. The forum's general coordinator extended his deepest gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for his tremendous support for creative artists and poets in Africa and the Arab world, and for his patronage of this forum and his commitment to preserving the Arabic language. In closing, the organisers thanked all those who contributed to the success of this event, including cultural and academic partners and supporting institutions, most notably the Sharjah Department of Culture, the Chadian Literary Club, King Faisal University, and all the poets and poetry lovers in attendance. The foundation of development At the beginning of his speech, His Excellency Rashid Al Shamsi conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah to the forum's participants, stating that he is honoured to convey the greetings of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and his high appreciation for hosting of such major cultural events, which reflect a shared interest in countries around the world, especially in African countries. Al Shamsi stressed the value of these renewed cultural ties, spearheaded by the Emirate of Sharjah in organising these major events, out of its belief that culture is the foundation of development and a factor in strengthening the bonds of friendship. Al Shamsi added that the United Arab Emirates believes that culture is the centre of human life, and therefore has established many major cultural festivals. Al Shamsi also affirmed absolute readiness to support these cultural initiatives that inspire hope and open broader horizons. He saluted the Chadian poets who have engaged with this cultural event from all cities and regions of Chad, confirming his confidence that it will be a stimulating event for creativity and a service to the Arabic language in this friendly country. His Excellency Saleh Judeh said he is pleased to participate in this distinguished literary forum, which celebrates the creative word and brings together lovers of poetry and language in a panorama of cultural beauty and national diversity. Judeh pointed out that the Republic of Chad is working to support the presence of the Arabic language in institutions and the public sphere, alongside other national languages. He saluted the participating poets and organisers, calling for the continuation of such initiatives that elevate the conscience and strengthen the status of the Arabic language in people's hearts. Readings The poets participating in the forum presented vibrant poems that reflected, in their artistic structure and themes, the depth of the human experience, reflecting both human reality and aspirations. In their texts, the language of the everyday blended with the language of dreams, elevating poetry from its local context to a broad human horizon.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store