Introduction:

Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre (AMAN), which is part of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, to mark the World Children's Day, which is celebrated annually on November 20th of each year, the initiative is a vending machine for children's books and stories at subsidized (non-profit) prices in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Shafallah Center and Dreama Center.

Aim:

The aim of this initiative is educating and encouraging the child, to read and acquire books, and learn about his rights and duties.

His Excellency Mr. Salah bin Ghanim Al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports and, CEO of Qatar Foundation for Social Work, Amal Bint Abdul Latif Al Mannai attended The inauguration ceremony at the launching of the initiative at Shafallah Center.

The devices' Mechanism of operation:

The device operates by using the same mechanism of all the devices used to sell beverages and sweets.

It was designed according to the special specifications of the child taking into consideration the length and ease of use and instructions with selected types of books and stories useful and appropriate for the child, the decice will be located in the most vital areas of children's gathering in the state of Qatar, such as Malls, Cinemas, Parks, children's clinics and the Airport.

Salah bin Ghanim Al-Ali the state is keen to promote the children's culture.

Mr. Salah bin Ghanim Al-Ali Culture and Sports Minister said that the State is keen to promote and raise the children's culture, as human development is one of the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030.

Hence, the Ministry of Culture doing its best in supporting any initiative that would promote the culture of individuals, taking into consideration that they are the future leaders.

 He also expressed his appreciation for that unique initiative and invites the citizen and expatriates to gain benefits from it also he asked the parents to participate in choices, reading, discussions with their children to create a cultural, supportive, positive and educational environment, also he stressed that the launch of the initiative  from Shafallah Center reflects a social, cultural and educational message that emphasizes the importance of education and  the culture of community integration for people with Special Needs.

Amal al-Mannai: we are keen to activate the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Amal Al Mannai said the foundation and all its affiliates are keen to activate the international conventions related to children and have been ratified by the State of Qatar, led by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Qatar ratified more than eight years ago. 

She added that the initiative falls under the fourth article of the convention, which reads “Governments have a responsibility to take all available measures to make sure children's rights are respected, protected and fulfilled." article 32 of the Convention also affirms that States parties respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural life and encourages the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural activity.

She added that the launch of this initiative is an embodiment of the partnership between the three sectors of the government, represented by the Ministry of Culture and Sports and the civil society sector represented by the Qatar Foundation for Social Work and the private sector represented in the companies supplying books and machines for sale and maintenance.

Mansour Al-Saadi - Executive Director: The initiative takes into account the cognitive and cultural needs of our children

In this context, Mr. Mansour Al-Saadi, Executive Director of Aman Center, said: "This initiative contributes in achieving the first goal of Aman Center to contribute in educating and awarness of the child, especially in light of the challenges that our children face from violent electronic games." In the success of that initiative, which we took into account the cognitive and cultural needs of our children on the one hand, and take into account the customs and traditions of the community where the selected books were subjected to careful review by professors and specialists to ensure that the books appropriate to the children.