Queen Rania commends corporate social responsibility in realization of Children’s Museum

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah commended the efforts of corporate partners in the realization of the Children’s Museum launched earlier this month - a milestone expression of social responsibility, commitment to children, education and the passion for learning and innovation in Jordan and the Arab World. Reinforcing private-public endeavors in the country, the Children’s Museum is the product of a partnership between Nestle Middle East, Dubai-based Emaar Properties, Fastlink, Motorola and the Municipality of Greater Amman (GAM) - the museum’s Leadership Founding Partners in its first phase. During the meeting, attended by Nidal Al-Hadid, Mayor of Amman; Mr. Mohammed Ali Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties; Mr. Alexandre Cantacuzene, Chairman and CEO of Nestle Middle East; Mr. Mohammad Saqer, CEO of Fastlink; Mr. Hassan Tavakoli, Vice President Motorola Middle East & North Africa and other representatives from the aforementioned corporations, Queen Rania lauded the museum's founding partners for their support and their vital role in creating this unique and world class institution which will encourage a spirit of enquiry and an independence of mind, within children, fostering their sense of creativity, innovation and an appreciation for the world around them. The Children’s Museum, launched during the first Board of Trustees meeting of the Children’s Museum Society, is a project initiated by Queen Rania, stemming from her commitment to children’s education, well-being, and development. Complementing the national curriculum by providing a supplementary learning experience that builds on classroom learning, the museum enhances children’s appreciation of their national identity by exposing them to the diverse elements of the Jordanian environment; flora and fauna, geology, archaeology, history and culture. At the meeting, Mr. Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, and member of the Children’s Museum Society, said Emaar Properties is proud to support the National Children’s Museum initiative led by Queen Rania. "Emaar has always launched and supported community projects that help Arab nationals envision a future that is full of hope. The museum gives this objective a timely sense, as it provides a deep-rooted awareness of Arab culture and history, while at the same time looking forward to a new tomorrow,” added Mr. Alabbar. For his part, Nestle's Mr. Cantacuzene, also a member of the Children’s Museum Society, said: “The Nestle Group is looking to develop synergies and seek partnership in various fields that impact the nutrition, health and wellness of its consumers. Nestle in the Middle East found in the Children's Museum in Jordan an excellent opportunity to make a difference in the community in actively participating in education, as well as in the dissemination of sound nutrition and health information; more so when it comes to promoting children health literacy as a foundation for good habits."  Motorola noted: “The museum's mission of engaging children in an interactive, fun, and multi-sensory learning experience is in line with Motorola's focus on supporting educational projects, inspiring students, and helping them realize their full potential as the next generation of innovators." Fastlink CEO Mr. Saqer underscored that his company's support falls in line with its strategic commitment to supporting the educational sector in the Kingdom and disseminating the benefits of information, communication and technology to Jordanian children and youth, reinforcing that the transition process into a knowledge-based society requires the investment in, and development of, human resources, as the basis of substantial economic progress. Commending Her Majesty’s efforts in establishing a children’s museum, he added that the museum enhances children’s ability to create and innovate using the best educational methods.  GAM donated the 20,000 square meters of land, which the museum is built on, as well as construction costs of the project conceived and designed, by UK and Jordanian design houses, specifically for children of fourteen years and younger. The museum will provide over 150 hands-on exhibits and encourage multi-sensory exploration and understanding of the arts, sciences, technology, industry, and the value of the national Jordanian identity, along with accompanying innovative and educational multi-media resources and programs. The museum also includes a number of facilities: a children’s library and IT center, a planetarium, a café, an auditorium, an activities center, an outdoor theatre, and a museum shop. Aiming to become a flagship children’s museum of world distinction and a regional leader among museums and cultural institutions serving children and families in the Arab world, the Children’s Museum will be the first interactive and educational institution of its kind in Jordan and will be situated prominently within Al-Hussein Park.  During the first meeting of the Children’s Museum Society, Queen Rania underlined the museum would seek to expand its outreach to engage children from remote communities through developing various outreach programs and facilities with the aim of bridging the knowledge and exposure gap, noting that it will also work with and encourage the Ministry of Education to ensure that regular organized access to the museum is provided to all children.