The creation of political, economic, cultural, and peace relations between people and states constitutes a challenge in the uncertain times we are living, and therefore integration projects must abide by interaction based on mutual interests. A module or activity directly focused on issues such as peace and the culture of other countries has been missing for years in Albanian university curricula. That’s why the "Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Chairfor a Just Peace" which was founded at the Mediterranean University of Albania, carries an added importance. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in June 2022 between the Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Cultural Foundation based in Kuwait and the Mediterranean University of Albania, MUA. 

The activity of this Foundation, which is headed by Mr. Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, focuses on education and the creation of a culture of peace, especially in the context of the Arab and Mediterranean space; on the relationship between Arab and European civilizations and cultures, through, among other things, cooperation and mutual recognition of each other’s university, academic, cultural, social, media circles and beyond. 

For this purpose, MUA established the "Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain Chairfor a Just Peace" as well as an Academic Board chaired by Prof. Dr. Academician Anastas Angjeli, President of MUA. The chairis well integrated into the university environment. MUA thus becomes part of the global strategy for sustainable peace and global advocacy for "Culture for Peace" in this time of challenges for Europe, the Mediterranean area, and the whole world. The President of the Foundation, Mr. Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain, visited the MUA premises for the finalization of this agreement.

Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain is a prominent personality in the Middle East and Arab World space, academic, thinker, and well-known poet from Kuwait, one of the most prominent personalities MUA has granted an Honoris Causa to. 

Mr. Abdulaziz Saud Albabtain emphasized that his foundation has cooperation agreements throughout the continent and expressed his satisfaction with the opening of this office in Albania, too: 

"Relations between the Albanian state and Kuwait have always been excellent. The opening of this office will lay the foundation stone for new bridges of cooperation, it will help as many students as possible to get to know the language, culture, literature, and society of the State of Kuwait, but also the entire Arab world”.

At the invitation of the "Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain for a Just Peace" Cultural Foundation, MUA leaders took part in the proceedings of the second edition of the "World Forum for Culture of Peace" which took place in Malta on March 3-4, 2022. The forum discussed the role of global leadership in building peace in the world, with a special emphasis on the need for intensive dialogue on all existing issues and problems, and on the creation of channels of communication and cooperation by all actors of society, including a greater role of the academic world in this respect. 

In this activity, Mr. Angjeli presented Mr. Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain with the Honoris Causa title, "For outstanding contribution in the promotion of the culture of peace in the international community, the construction of joint instruments of cooperation through the spread of culture, education, and dialogue for the safety of future generations".

The award ceremony was held in the presence of the highest representatives of the "Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain" Cultural Foundation, representatives of the United Nations, the President of Malta George Vella, the then President of Albania Ilir Meta, the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, the former President of Croatia Stjepan Mesic, the President of the Assembly of Kuwait Marzouq Ali Mohammed Al-Ghanim, the Rector of the University of Malta Alfred Vella, the MUA President, Academician Anastas Angjeli, members of the academic senate of MUA, academics, representatives of civil society from different countries as well as Maltese and foreign media.

The cooperation will extend to such fields as curricula, teaching, educational and cultural activities, with the aim of mutual recognition of Albanian and Arab culture and history, through various activities at MUA and elsewhere in Tirana. The implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding will extend to the translation of books from Arabic to Albanian, increase of contacts between students and academics, mutual publications and promotions, meetings and joint activities, and the organization of the Arab culture day within the academic year 2022-2023.

The director of this chairwill be Prof. Asst. Dr. Arben Cici, Vice-Rector of MUA, in close coordination with Professor Touhami Abdouli, Secretary General of the Foundation, former Foreign Minister of Tunisia, with academic experience and deep knowledge of international relations and culture for peace in the Mediterranean area, the Arab world, etc. Moreover, the establishment of this chairaims at building communication bridges between academics and through them, between societies, in the recognition, education, and concretization of "a culture of peace". It will also help and promote the university and academic exchanges, while also strengthening relations between the two peoples and countries, between Albania and Kuwait.

Thanks to this cooperation, MUA will welcome prominent personalities of the Arab world, who will hold lectures on peace, issues of global importance, and the cooperation of our country with the State of Kuwait and the Arab world in general. Likewise, the academic staff of MUA and its students will have the opportunity to visit and witness in first person the traditions, culture, and contribution of the state of Kuwait to world peace. The Peace Curriculum will be presented and will be part of a Master's Program at MUA and of the "Human Rights and Culture of Peace" module. Lectures on Arabic culture and language by professors, diplomats, and prominent personalities from Arab countries specializing in Arabic studies will be held during the academic year. The book "Biography and Cultural Achievements" by the Chairman of the “Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain” Foundation will be translated into Albanian and promoted. There will be activities related to the exchange of publications, information, books, and research with the “Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain” Foundation in other countries of the world. Connections and exchange of experience, information, and references with other personalities of the “Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain” Foundation will take place. 

Also, joint activities will be organized in the respective countries. This Foundation will share its activities with interest groups at a suitable space on the MUA website and will use social networks and the official account of MUA to promote and share the Unit’s activities and announcements throughout its operation. The Foundation Unit will organize the Arab Culture Day at MUA, with guests who have contributed to the spread of Arab culture.

This collaboration places MUA alongside renowned universities in the world, which are part of the goal of this Foundation for Peace, such as the universities of Barcelona, ??Cordoba, Granada, and Malaga in Spain, the universities of Rome 3 and Palermo in Italy, Oxford in the United Kingdom, European Inter-University Chairfor Human Rights and Democratisation, etc. Many leaders, intellectuals, institutions, organizations, and states have engaged in the strategy for the spread of peace in the world, being seriously involved in the major project of the "Culture of Peace for the Security of Future Generations" Foundation, which Mr. Abdulaziz Saud Al-Babtain presented it in two sessions at the United Nations General Assembly on September 7, 2017, and September 5, 2018.

A society at peace is not only a society without violence and conflict. It is much more than that. It implies the education and formation of a healthy and stable mindset of respect for human rights and the basic freedoms of all persons, regardless of the differences they may have. This is a major effort necessary to build a developmental bed and healthy environment for present and future generations.

Respect for the principles of justice, democracy, tolerance, solidarity, cooperation, pluralism, and cultural diversity are formed and transmitted through the culture of peace. MUA, through this cooperation and commitment, will contribute to this important social and academic mission of spreading culture, education, and dialogue for the safety of today and future generations in Albania.

* Lecturer at the "Mediterranean University of Albania". Board member at the "Abdul Haziz Saud Al-Babtain" Foundation