First ever English and Arabic children’s radio station in the Middle East to debut at Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children. Dubai, UAE – 1 May 2014 -- Following the announcement of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish and begin construction of the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children in December 2012, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, who was appointed by HH Sheikh Mohammed as the Chairperson of the Centre’s Board of Trustees, today announced the new Board of Trustees for the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children.

This comes as an effort, as per HH Sheikh Mohammed’s vision, to provide a cultural space in Dubai dedicated to enriching the lives of children through a wide-range of cultural learning and artistic programs, rooted in children’s curiosity, creativity and love of play, through training, research and capacity building. Acting under the authority Law No. 9 of 2013, the newly appointed Board of Trustees will oversee the activities of the Centre to ensure a safe, social learning environment for children and their families to develop skills and nurture talent, giving children a love of authentic Emirati culture and heritage in today’s modern world. As per the direction of HRH Princess Haya, Dr. Salah Al Qassim, Advisor to the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, will serve as the Board’s Vice-Chairperson.

Newly appointed members of the Board include Najla Al Awadhi, former Member of Parliament of the United Arab Emirates and a distinguished media pioneer in the Middle East, Ahmad Al Serkal, Managing Director of Al Serkal Group, Dr. Mona Al Bahar, Member of the Federal National Council and Professor of Social Work at UAE University, and Mona Lootah, Deputy Director of the Office of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.

The board’s role and duties include highlighting and reviewing the general policy of the Centre, along with its strategic plans, developing administrative regulations in accordance to the organization of the Centre, and approving the permanent and temporary committees with their respective functions and powers, to name a few. “I am honored to have been given this opportunity, and I believe that the Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children will serve as an ideal environment for our younger generations to explore their talents and skills,” stated Dr. Al Qassim. “In this day and age, it is essential that children, while still very young, are encouraged to take part in such activities and programs, and while doing so, absorb as much as they can about our Emirati culture and heritage. The Al Jalila Cultural Centre will provide a platform, through play and experiences, to educate children of all ages across the UAE, guiding them towards becoming the leaders and doers of tomorrow’s world.” The Centre, a non-profit, multi-disciplinary organization is set to offer a number of innovative and interactive programs that have been designed to enhance the quality of life for both children and their parents.

Targeted at UAE nationals and non nationals between the ages of four and 16 years of age, the Centre will be home to a range of facilities including a state-of-the-art library and performing arts theater and dedicated spaces for a number of art infused activities such as music, dance, visual art, photography and literature. As part of its offerings, Pearl FM, the first-ever English language children’s radio station in the Middle East, will begin broadcasting live from the Al Jalila Culture Centre for Children alongside its sister station, Lulu FM, the first-ever Arabic language children’s radio station in the Middle East. Managed by the Children’s Media Network (CMN), which was established by founding partners Jeff Price & Nick Watson, both stations will offer a fun, interactive and innovative programming schedule for young children, also giving them the opportunity to present their own shows.

For the first time across the region, CMN will provide a dedicated support network for parents as both stations will present a variety of topics for discussion during their daily talk shows. Initially, the Centre will accommodate for hundreds of children with the possibility of future expansion at a later stage. Ends