Manama: King Hamad Global Center for Coexistence and Tolerance (KHGC) recently celebrated the graduation of the inaugural cohort of the King Hamad Leadership in Coexistence Programme and the second cohort of the Postgraduate Diploma in Coexistence. The event took place at the Isa Cultural Centre, attended by officials and partners from various national, regional, and international academic, diplomatic, intellectual, and United Nations institutions.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of KHGC, reiterated the Centre's dedication to advancing educational and training programmes. These initiatives are designed to empower youth, enhance their creative and cognitive abilities, and solidify their roles as active contributors to promoting peace, coexistence, and openness.
Dr Shaikh Abdulla highlighted that these efforts align with the national vision under His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the wisdom of His Highness Isa Al Kabeer, Ruler of Bahrain, particularly in the "Year of Isa Al Kabeer." This initiative underscores the continuity and coherence of Bahrain's national vision, bridging past and present.
He expressed pride in hosting the ceremony alongside the International Day of Peaceful Coexistence, endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly. This occasion is in line with Bahrain's leading international and regional initiatives to uphold tolerance and coexistence across generations, emphasizing education as a cornerstone for promoting peace, social cohesion, and countering extremism and hate speech.
The Chairman praised the strong partnerships KHGC has established with prominent international academic institutions to implement and develop its programmes. The Postgraduate Diploma in Coexistence is offered in collaboration with the United Nations University for Peace and the Gioya Higher Education Institute in Malta, while the King Hamad Leadership in Coexistence Programme is conducted in partnership with Faith in Leadership and the 1928 Institute affiliated with the University of Oxford.
These collaborations have enriched the Centre's programmes with academic depth, rigorous standards, and international credibility, reinforcing its mission to promote coexistence through education, engagement, collaboration, and capacity-building.
Dr Shaikh Abdulla further emphasized the need for qualified leaders and institutions capable of sustaining coexistence, rather than mere statements or slogans. He stated that this is the Centre's focus through its programmes, which aim to empower youth and develop their scientific, cognitive, and leadership skills, enabling them to transform these values into tangible impacts within their communities and workplaces.
The ceremony concluded with Dr Shaikh Abdulla and several partners presenting certificates to the graduates, honoring them in an atmosphere that reflected Bahrain's pioneering role in fostering coexistence, tolerance, and dialogue through education and leadership. This serves as a foundation for enhancing stability, harmony, and peace at national, regional, and international levels.