The impact of education and culture is not limited to transferring knowledge and introducing cultural heritage; it extends to instilling the values of peace and tolerance, developing the capacity for dialogue, and fostering understanding and coexistence among cultures and peoples.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given education sustained strategic attention, reflected in the development of its educational and research institutions, the expansion of scholarship programs, the building of international academic partnerships, and the welcoming of students from countries around the world. International graduates of Saudi universities, drawing on the knowledge, experience and values they have gained, have served their communities and become bridges of cultural exchange, ambassadors of peace, and makers of knowledge.

The Festival of Cultures and Peoples, organized by the Islamic University, is one of the most prominent university cultural events. Delegations representing more than ninety countries take part each year, and it attracts tens of thousands of visitors along with distinguished public figures and diplomats. This diversity has given the festival a dimension beyond introducing the cultures and heritage of peoples, making it a living space for getting to know one another, exchanging experiences, and promoting dialogue, understanding and coexistence among peoples.

Building on the civilizational mission of the Festival of Cultures and Peoples in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and communication among peoples, the conference “The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Efforts in Supporting International Development through Education” is being held to highlight the Kingdom's international educational and development contributions and initiatives, and to review their impact on building human capacity, spreading knowledge, and promoting peace and understanding among cultures.

1. Highlight the historical and civilizational role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in supporting international development through education and knowledge since the founding of the Saudi state, and introduce the contributions of its educational and research institutions to human development and the development of societies.
2. Review pioneering Saudi experiences and initiatives in supporting education, development and human capacity building at the regional and international levels.
3. Highlight the impact of Saudi scholarship programs, and activate the role of international students and graduates of Saudi universities as ambassadors of peace, makers of knowledge, and partners in the development of their communities.
4. Strengthen the standing of education as a driver of sustainable development and a tool for producing knowledge, building the knowledge economy, and contributing to the development of societies.
5. Promote intercultural dialogue, widen the space for mutual understanding, and instill the values of peace, tolerance and coexistence, and respect for cultural, linguistic and religious diversity.
6. Review successful global experiences in managing diversity and promoting coexistence, and draw on them to build more peaceful and cohesive societies.
7. Link academic research to the cultural events and community practices hosted by the Festival of Cultures and Peoples, and harness its international diversity to produce knowledge, exchange experiences, and develop research and initiatives on dialogue and coexistence.
8. Discuss the future challenges and opportunities for education amid digital transformation, and anticipate its role in meeting the requirements of sustainable development and human capacity building.
9. Contribute to UNESCO's mission of building peace through education and culture, and expand cooperation and academic and research partnerships with UNESCO, universities, international organizations, and cultural and diplomatic bodies.
10. Formulate practical, applicable recommendations, initiatives and projects that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and the targets of Saudi Vision 2030, with mechanisms to follow up on their implementation and measure their impact.

1. Highlighting and documenting the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its historical and contemporary contributions to supporting international development through education, spreading knowledge and building human capacity, and introducing the impact of its educational and research institutions and initiatives on the development of societies at the regional and international levels.
2. Developing a knowledge framework that documents the Saudi experience in using education, scholarships, academic partnerships and knowledge transfer as effective tools for supporting international development and human development, so that this experience can be built upon, developed and sustained.
3. The conference's adoption of the concept of “Education for Peace and Sustainable Development”, and the formulation of a set of principles, recommendations and practical, applicable initiatives that strengthen the role of education in building societies and achieving development and peace.
4. Establishing an international network of Saudi university graduates to strengthen communication and the exchange of expertise, and to activate graduates' contributions to transferring knowledge, supporting educational and development initiatives, and strengthening cultural and academic ties between the Kingdom and their countries.
5. Launching joint educational, cultural and development initiatives and programs that help spread knowledge and promote peace, moderation, tolerance, coexistence and intercultural dialogue.
6. Developing sustainable international academic and research partnerships between Saudi universities and institutions, their international counterparts and relevant organizations, particularly in fields related to education, sustainable development and human capacity building.
7. Proposing a framework of indicators and methodologies for measuring the international developmental impact of Saudi educational efforts and initiatives, including scholarship programs, international education, capacity building and knowledge transfer, and tracking their impact on beneficiary individuals and communities.
8. Issuing recommendations on the responsible and equitable use of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in education, to help expand access to knowledge, improve the quality of education, and support sustainable development.
9. Developing proposals for cooperation initiatives and projects with UNESCO, international and regional organizations, universities and relevant institutions, strengthening the Kingdom's contribution to supporting education, international development and peacebuilding through knowledge and culture.
10. Forming working groups and follow-up mechanisms to implement the conference's recommendations and initiatives and to measure their results and developmental impact in the medium and long term, ensuring the outcomes are sustained and turned into actionable programs and projects.

Types of Participation

• Participating with a research paper or academic study.
• In-person attendance.

Participation Requirements

1. The paper must fall under one of the conference themes and topics, with the theme and topic stated precisely.
2. The paper must be original and innovative, not previously published, and prepared for this conference only, with a signed undertaking to that effect attached.
3. The paper must follow scientific research methodology.
4. For Arabic, use the Traditional Arabic font at size 14 for footnotes (if any), 16 for body text, 18 for subheadings and 20 for main headings. For English, use the Times New Roman font.
5. The full paper, including appendices, must not exceed 10,000 words.
6. The paper must conclude with practical, actionable recommendations.
7. A recent copy of the passport must be attached to the paper.
8. A brief CV of no more than one page must be attached, in both Word and PDF formats.
9. The paper will undergo peer review by two reviewers; if they disagree, a third reviewer will decide and the majority opinion will be adopted. No fees are charged to researchers.
10. Authors of approved papers will receive a letter confirming that the paper has passed peer review and has been accepted for presentation at the conference.
11. Authors of papers not approved in peer review will be notified; no reasons need be given.
12. The Scientific Committee may amend some wording in the paper if necessary.
13. Acceptance of a paper does not guarantee that it will be presented at the conference; the researcher will receive a letter confirming that it has passed peer review.
14. Ownership of approved papers belongs to the Islamic University of Madinah, which holds the right to print, publish, distribute and sell them if it wishes.
15. The paper must be submitted in both Word and PDF formats.
16. The paper must include an abstract of no more than one page in both Arabic and English.
17. References must follow the APA style.
18. Submission deadlines must be observed.