Rabat, 14 May 2026 – The sixth edition of the “International Children’s Summit Simulation for Jerusalem” concluded today, Thursday, at the headquarters of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Rabat with a plenary session simulating an international conference of Ministers of Information, which culminated in the adoption of a final communiqué.
This session, organized by the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency (BMAQ) with the support of the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, brought together children representing 24 nationalities, coinciding with Rabat’s designation as the Arab Media Capital for 2026.
The children participating in the closing plenary session expressed their appreciation for this “educational and humanitarian initiative,” while also commending the support and contributions of the Agency’s partners, in particular the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, and the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco.
They also called on international bodies and institutions to “uphold justice for Palestinian children in the media, particularly the children of Gaza, who live under difficult conditions and are deprived of their most basic human rights.”
Speaking on the occasion, the Director of BMAQ, Mohamed Salem Echarkaoui, stated that the session aimed to “help participants collectively shape the media image they aspire to portray of the Palestinian child,” emphasizing the importance of ensuring that this image reflects the values of rights, freedom, justice, peace, and coexistence.
Mr. Echarkaoui explained that discussing the media portrayal of the Palestinian child is “a highly serious exercise,” particularly in light of the rapid flow of information today, especially content aimed at children, which is a growing concern for parents and educators alike.
For his part, the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports praised BMAQ’s efforts in advancing the education sector in the Holy City, including the organization of the International Children’s Summit Simulation for Jerusalem.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Ministry’s Secretary-General, he described these sessions as an educational exercise bringing together pupils and students from schools and universities in Morocco and Jerusalem, primarily aimed at advocating the cause of Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Ministry’s Secretary-General, said that the session represents a qualitative initiative reflecting Morocco’s steadfast commitment, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to the Palestinian cause, with Jerusalem at its core.
He added that the choice of the slogan “For Media That Upholds Justice For Palestinian Children” places everyone before a collective responsibility to strengthen the civic role of the media in conveying the truth, shedding light on the suffering of children in conflict zones, and defending their legitimate rights through a professional approach based on credibility and objectivity, free from all forms of distortion and bias.
For his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, Abdeljalil Lahjomri, described this session as an opportunity to affirm a moral commitment to ensuring the Palestinian child’s visibility, while restoring the image’s deeper human meaning, stressing that the Palestinian child represents “a complete life holding on to its right to schooling, play, warmth, and a safe sky.”
He also noted that such events help shed light on Palestinian childhood and foster collective awareness of the challenges faced by children in conflict and war zones.
The closing day’s activities, attended by diplomats and representatives of international organizations accredited to the Kingdom, included the screening of the animated episode “The Complete Picture” from the “Hayya” platform for children and youth, highlighting the virtues and values of Jerusalem. A video showcasing the key moments of the fifth session (2025) was also presented, along with the handover ceremony of the session’s presidency to the Republic of The Gambia and the presentation of commemorative shields and certificates to participating school directors.
This session offered participating children an opportunity to express their views on how they are portrayed in the media and the extent to which their rights and privacy are respected, in line with the principles of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, through a simulation of an international summit of Ministers of Information with the direct participation of children.
