Chairman of Board of Trustees of the Bahrain Foundation for the Dialogue, Mr. Suhail Ghazi Algosaibi, praised the convening of the first Governmental Forum, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister, emphasizing the contribution of such forums, being a significant and pioneering initiative, to the improvement, growth and accomplishment of Governmental work and integration between various parties.

Algosaibi introduced the forum as a vital opportunity to create an optimal positive environment that embraces, in addition to Government personnel, all citizens, where the Government vision, developmental projects and performance standards are openly shared within the frame presented by the Forum’s Senior Officials.

He then praised the essence the speech of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of Bahrain, the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the deputy Supreme Commander of the Bahrain Defense Force, in which his highness enclosed valuable purports as guidelines for the Governmental work in its upcoming stages, correlating them with the national achievements in the light of Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. Algosaibi also cherished His Highness’s call for the enhancement of Governmental services, the development of legislative and regulatory frameworks and the facilitation of all Governmental procedures, alongside with providing a high quality infrastructure.

Expressing his utmost appreciation, and congratulating His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister on the major success of the Governmental Forum 2016 and the momentum it has earned, Algosaibi hoped for a periodical reunion to cultivate the vision that leverage the Governmental strategy. He advised the recourse of studies and researches to unify the vision in order to overcome challenges, and the corroboration of cooperation and integration values between different Governmental sectors. He also stressed the dedication of periodical assessment principles of the Governmental performance and the implication of monitoring and optimal utilization of resources. Algosaibi then mentioned the importance of guaranteeing the coordination between the pace of plans and programmes and the Economic Vision and the Government criteria, and assuring the principles of sustainability, justice and competitiveness as pillars of development.

Celebrating its fourth anniversary, Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse (BFRCD) announced its new identity, renamed as the Bahrain Foundation for Dialogue.

And in this occasion, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bahrain Foundation for Dialogue Mr. Suhail Ghazi Algosaibi expressed his delight and pride in the achievements of the foundation in the past years, assuring that it was able to pave itself a path that crosses all villages and towns of Bahrain, spreading the values in which they believe, and defending the community’s need to send out love and reassure cooperation and coexistence.

Algosaibi explained that the new identity was brought forth by the Board of Trustees’ desire to abbreviate the previous name into an easier-to-remember form, and expand the work scope in the foundation to cover different areas of dialogues; based on the belief that dialogue is the most successful strategic option for building healthy and well-developed societies, and to advance the wheel of cultivation and stability.

He then pointed out that the declaration of the new name comes in conjunction with the Holy month of Ramadan, and the values and delicate sentiments it is carried with, and the positive effects it implies through social communication, visits and gatherings, which spread around the country.

Algosaibi also mentioned that Bahrain Foundation for Dialogue commences its Ramadan gatherings on Wednesday evening of every week, in the house of the deceased Dr. Ghazi bin Abdulrahman Algosaibi in Hamala, welcoming and embracing all the guests. He seizes this opportunity to raise his utmost congratulations to their Highnesses the King, Prime Minister and Crown Prince, and to all of the people in Bahrain, on the occasion of Holy month of Ramadan, wishing it avails more harmony and closeness between the various components of the Bahraini society.

Algosaibi finally reported that the foundation is currently finalizing its program for the upcoming stage, adding that the foundation will organize a ceremony later this year to launch the new identity officially, and to present a report of the foundation’s achievements in the past four years, in addition to announcing its plan for 2017.

BFRCD concluded on Saturday evening “From Conflict to Dialogue” workshop, which was organized by the foundation, and presented by the American expert Dr. J’ Lein Liese for the fourth consecutive year.

Dr. Liese looked over mechanisms that lead to a healthy civil discourse, methods of resolving conflicts through a meaningful community discourse, and standards that need to be obeyed by various parties. Notably, 35 people; a number of Bahrainis and some Non-Bahraini residents, participated for two consecutive days in the workshop.

Dr. Liese highlighted the need of reinforcing the ethics of civil discourse, listening to dissenting opinions in order to create a positive environment in human communities that encourages integration, cooperation and social compatibility, and to contribute in the maintenance of social security and civil peace.

The US expert also presented to the participants a number of models from different countries regarding the conflict and discourse in order to realize experiments of nations and learn from them. Formerly, the participants were distributed into groups to carry out a number of practical exercises and activities, amid a remarkable interaction, lively atmosphere and constructive discussion.

At the conclusion of the workshop, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse, Mr. Suhail Bin Ghazi Algosaibi and the international expert Dr. J’ Lein Liese, presented certificates of attendance to the participants. Then, Mr. Algosaibi presented a commemorative shield to the American expert.

Mr. Algosaibi expressed his thanks and appreciation to Dr. Liese for the wonderful presentation of the workshop, thanking at the same time young Bahrainis who participated actively in this event, valuing the importance of contents addressed by the workshop and the results came out, stressing that Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse is determined to rearrange such scientific and training events that serves the Kingdom of Bahrain and the public, particularly the youth.

Algosaibi added that the Foundation has been working hard, since its start, to contribute efficiently in community development on the basis of the detection of its responsibility towards society, which stems from love for the homeland.

On the other hand, Dr. J’ Lein Liese expressed her thanks to BFRCD for the leading initiative of devoting the culture of dialogue and coexistence in society, stimulating Bahraini youth skills which qualifies the society to take advantage of the maximum capacities of its members, expressing at the same time her admiration by what the Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved regarding higher human development, and the remarkable model of co-existence and prosperity it has represented over the years.

It is noteworthy that the workshop which was held at the “Suisse Bell” hotel on Friday and Saturday on a 10 training hour basis, was attended by 35 participants, both Bahrainis and Non-Bahraini residents. This workshop is held for the fourth year in a row.

A delegation from the Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse (BFRCD) visited on Monday morning 11th January, 2016, HE Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in his office at the Supreme Council building.
The delegation included Mr. Suhail bin Ghazi Al-Gosaibi Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the foundation, Mr. Amin Al Arrayed Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Nour Al Haji Member of the Board of Trustees, and Mr. Abbas Hamada, executive secretary of the foundation.

The delegation explained briefly to His Excellency the most important programs and projects which will be undertaken by the foundation in the next phase, and the general goals of the foundation, and on top of that is the sovereignty of affection and harmony among people. His Excellency alluded to those goals and projects, and expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Foundation to educate the community of the necessary sovereignty of coexistence among all. He confirmed his full support to all what that would serve the country and the people.

Furthermore, HE urges the foundation to enhance its activities in regard to youth in order to protect them from exploitation and factional and sectarian incitement, stressing that affection and coexistence are of the noble values advocated by Islam and urged by the Prophet, all Prayers and Blessings of Allah be upon him, his family and his companions.

HE stressed that the imminent challenges, destructive ideologies and exotic behaviors impose on all of us to encourage the dissemination of coexistence culture, by which community cohesion and unity of its people increase. His Excellency pointed out that upholding the goodness, morality and construction values are the best way to protect our society from extremism, neurological and terrorism.

On the other hand, Mr. Suhail bin Ghazi Al-Gosaibi Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Sheikh Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa for the meeting. He expressed his happiness for what is covered of important topics in the meeting, valuing at the same time guidance and advice of HE that the Foundation delegation listened to.

Mr. Al Gosaibi also praised the important role that the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs plays in this regard, expressing his hope in constant communication with the Council, which is considered as a unique model in establishing co-existence and joint action.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees in Bahrain Foundation of Reconciliation and Civil Discourse, Mr. Suhail bin Ghazi Al-Gosaibi stressed the importance of concentrating global efforts to spread peace and affection throughout the world, highlighting the need to spare human societies the risk of conflicts and wars, and to provide a safe and healthy environment for the growth of children away from the political pressure, religious and sectarian conflicts.
This came in a press statement made by Mr. Al-Gosaibi after his participation on Sunday evening, 13^th December, 2015, within the annual program held by the global organization, “Soka Gakkai” (Gulf Branch) in collaboration with the “Knowledge Village” in Dubai under the theme “Creating Value: Fostering the Human Spirit”.

Mr. Al-Gosaibi has received an invitation to attend, as a guest of honor in his capacity as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse, in a lecture entitled “Providing Safe Havens for Children of the World,” presented by the researcher Ms. Betty Williams, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976 year. The lecture was held in the main theater of the Knowledge Village in the Emirate of Dubai.

Mr. Al Gosaibi expressed, in his statement, his thanks and appreciation for the global organization, “Soka Gakkai” for the invitation, he received to attend as a guest of honor at the first lecture of the program as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees in Bahrain Foundation of Reconciliation and Civil Discourse, expressing his pride of the place that Bahrain Foundation of Reconciliation and Civil Discourse is occupying among the international organizations concerned with the achievement of peace and the dissemination of affection, discourse and cooperation culture.

Mr. Al Gosaibi revealed that the foundation is in the process of launching a quality work plan to strengthen its activity on an internal and external levels, valuing the great support given to the foundation since its inception in 2012, and so far from the presence of the wise leadership of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and by concerned public and private bodies.

In a related development, Mr. Suhail Al Gosaibi met Ms. Betty Williams on the sidelines of her lecture that she delivered in Dubai, and expressed his great appreciation for the high human values ​​contained in the lecture, praising the broad expertise possessed by Ms. Williams, and her important experiences in her career record of humanitarian work.
Al Gosaibi also reviewed with Williams distinguished Bahraini cultural features of in the field of coexistence and peace, and gave her an explanation on the objectives and the message carried by the Bahrain Foundation for Reconciliation and Civil Discourse. He also invited Ms. Williams to visit the Kingdom of Bahrain and give a lecture on peace and discourse so she can find out about Bahraini distinctive experience.

It is noteworthy that the global organization “Soka Gakkai” is a global organization dedicated to peace, culture and education. It has recently launched its annual program under the theme ” Creating Value: Fostering the Human Spirit ” in collaboration with the Knowledge Village in Dubai.