By: Yanela Soler Más 

The lasting influence of Arab culture in Latin America and the Caribbean is embodied in the spirit of the descendants of those who emigrated from the Middle East and Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries. In search of a better future, those migrants arrived in new lands contributing to the development of the region in areas such as politics, the arts, science and economics.

Recognizing the contributions of the Arab world to intercultural dialogue with Latin America and the Caribbean, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched the “Arab-Latinos!” project in 2022. This initiative develops content aimed at promoting the exchange of knowledge between Arab nations and Latin America and the Caribbean, while serving as a space for creativity and innovation.

La iniciativa ¡Árabes Latinos! se lanzó en agosto de 2022, y tuvo su segunda versión en Agosto de 2023 cuando quince expertos de cinco países de América Latina y el Caribe, identificados por la UNESCO, se reunieron para desarrollar un Plan de Acción de 5 años (2023 – 2027)

— Jorge Araneda T (@JorgeAranedaT) August 30, 2023

The project involves the participation of five Latin American countries: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina. They are supported by an Action Plan covering a five-year period (2023-2027). 

The Action Plan focuses on: 

• Promoting studies on the connections and divergences between Arab, Latin American and Caribbean cultures. 
• Producing communication materials that highlight the shared linguistic heritage of the participating countries and the Arab world. 
• Create courses and facilitate the exchange of experts through workshops, conferences and other initiatives to share experiences and research. 

Activities have already been held in Brazil and Argentina, bringing together leading scholars of the Arab world from the participating nations. Social science experts from Middle Eastern countries researching the impact of Arab emigration to Latin America and the Caribbean have also participated. 

“Arab-Latinos!” represents another initiative to foster cooperation between countries of the Global South working to strengthen recognition of their identities, rooted in cultural relations and solidarity. 

Such a project gives greater relevance to the Arab imprint on the region’s culture by creating a space to analyze the positive effects of Arab migration on cultural rights in Latin America and the Caribbean and the resulting cultural plurality. It also provides an opportunity to understand the social contexts that allowed Arabs to settle and integrate into local host societies.

Ultimately, the “Arab-Latinos!” project aims to make visible the rich Arab cultural legacy inherent in the Latin American and Caribbean identity.

By: Danay Fuentes 

Doha, Qatar – Colombian President Gustavo Petro visited this Friday the Gaza Children’s Hospital as part of his official agenda in the Arab nation. 

During his visit, he witnessed firsthand the resilience and hope that still shine in the eyes of young patients, despite the suffering caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict. 

President Petro was accompanied by Her Excellency Odette Yidi David, Colombia’s Ambassador to Qatar, who has Palestinian roots.

Petro is spearheading an initiative to bring children from Gaza to Colombia. The program aims to provide comprehensive rehabilitation that addresses both physical and emotional trauma. 

President Petro said that the reconstruction of Gaza should not be reduced to mere architectural projects or real estate ventures, but should be seen as a moral imperative. 

“Saving the children of Gaza means saving the children of humanity,” he said with conviction. A statement that serves as both a moral appeal and a call to action for the international community to respond with urgent compassion. 

This visit underscores Colombia’s growing role in advocating for peaceful solutions to international conflicts while addressing their human consequences.

By: Danay Fuentes 

Doha, Qatar – The President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, and the Director of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, Dr. Azmi Bishara, held a meeting in Doha. On the opportunity, they explored the urgent need to forge an intellectual alliance between Colombian and Arab research institutions. 

The proposed collaboration arises in response to contemporary global challenges, in particular the climate crisis and advances in artificial intelligence.

The collaboration aims to address immediate problems, but also to develop theoretical and practical frameworks that will help future generations cope with global crises. It seeks to include humanitarian and ethical perspectives, at a time when the world seems increasingly divided. 

The leaders agreed that the future of the world should not be determined by a handful of billionaires, but by humanity as a whole. Their vision calls for an inclusive and caring approach in which the well-being of all people takes priority.  The meeting underscores both leaders’ commitment to building bridges between Latin America and the Arab world through knowledge exchange and collective problem-solving.

By: Yanela Soler 

Doha, Qatar – Colombian President Gustavo Petro met on Thursday with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as part of his official visit to the Gulf nation. 

The leaders held talks shortly after President Petro’s arrival in Doha on February 13. The meeting focused on bilateral cooperation agreements on education, air connectivity and access to clean water. 

President Petro requested Qatar’s mediation to secure the release of Elkana Bohbot, a Colombian-Israeli citizen held by Hamas since October 7, 2023. 

“I have established friendly ties with the Emir of Qatar and requested his mediation for the release of Bohbot,” President Petro said on social media platform X following their talks. 

🇶🇦 A su llegada a Catar, el presidente @petrogustavo se reunió con el emir, Tamim Bin Hamad Althani para adelantar la agenda bilateral entre ambos países.

🕊️Uno de los temas más importantes fue la solicitud del presidente Petro al emir catarí para que pueda interceder en la… pic.twitter.com/G31e15v1qU

— RTVC Noticias (@RTVCnoticias) February 13, 2025

The Colombian leader emphasized his administration’s strategy to strengthen ties with the Arab world through newly appointed ambassadors of Arab-Colombian heritage to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Lebanon. “We seek to enhance commercial, tourist, cultural and political relations to unite our peoples and broaden our global perspective,” he said. 

On the other hand, both government representatives addressed the issue of Qatar Airways, which will begin operations to cover the Doha-Bogota route next June. According to Petro, this way “tourism and business opportunities between both countries will be strengthened”.

“I have already managed to attract two airlines in the area to Colombia: Qatar Airways and Emirates. I seek to diversify the ownership of Colombia’s foreign debt as much as possible,” said the Colombian president. President Petro said the talks had been productive in advancing Colombia’s strategic interests in the Middle East, while addressing urgent humanitarian concerns.

Doha, Qatar – The President of Colombia, His Excellency Gustavo Petro, held a strategic meeting in Doha with the Qatar Investment CEO, His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi. The main objective of the meeting was to consolidate investments that will boost development in key sectors in Colombia, such as tourism, trade, clean energy and technology.

President Petro was accompanied by senior officials from his cabinet, including the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism; the Minister of Mines; the Minister of Foreign Affairs; and the President of ECOPETROL S.A. The high-level delegation underscores the Colombian government’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and fostering a favorable environment for economic growth.

Esta reunión marca un paso significativo en el fortalecimiento de las relaciones económicas entre Colombia y Qatar. Foto: Presidencia de Colombia.

The conversation between the two leaders focused on the opportunities that the Latin American country offers to Qatari investors, especially highlighting the country’s potential in emerging and sustainable sectors. Collaboration in clean energy and technology was particularly relevant given the current environmental challenges and the global transition to more sustainable economies. 

This meeting represents a significant step in strengthening economic relations between Colombia and Qatar. It paves the way for future partnerships that could benefit both nations in their quest for development and prosperity.

The commitment reflects Colombia’s proactive approach to positioning itself as an attractive destination for strategic investments, while advancing its sustainable development goals.

A cultural event on the Arabic language was organized by the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen on Thursday at the United Nations House in Doha.

The event was held under the theme “Building bridges of communication between the Arab region and the world, particularly Latin America”, as part of the celebrations for International Arabic Language Day, which is commemorated on December 18.

There was a rich discussion on the Arabic language role as an essential tool to connect cultures, especially between the Arab world and Latin America. Photo: https://qna.org.qa/

Collaboration with entities such as the Ministry of Culture, the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science and Green Zone Foundation (GZF) added a special touch to the occasion.  

GZF, known for its commitment to culture and the environment, further strengthened its mission to promote the richness and diversity of the Arabic language. 

The event brought to light the beauty and uniqueness of the Arabic language, highlighting its vast contributions to the cultural diversity of humanity. 

An in-depth discussion was held on its role as an essential tool for connecting cultures, especially between the Arab world and Latin America, a link forged throughout history.

Teaching Arabic: A priority for Green Zone Foundation

Mr. Salah al-Din Zaki Khaled, UNESCO Representative for the region, underscored the impact of the worldwide recognition of Arabic, which is celebrating its 51st anniversary as one of the official languages of the UN. 

In his speech, he stressed that Arabic is not only a cultural treasure, but also a vital means of fostering understanding and unity among societies. 

Similarly, Mr. Jamal Fayez, Cultural Advisor to the Ministry of Culture, said that the Arabic language possesses a unique magic, which makes it a crucial bridge for communication. 

He highlighted its enduring scientific and cultural legacy, which has influenced countless civilizations and continues to expand its reach today. 

This event not only honored the Arabic language but also its role in strengthening Qatar’s cultural identity and its global outreach. 

Green Zone Foundation stands as a key pillar in this mission, driving initiatives that highlight the importance of cultural diversity and mutual understanding through language. 

GZF is offering a free Arabic course for all of Latin America and the Caribbean, starting February 6, through an innovative application designed for modern and dynamic learning. 

This celebration of International Arabic Language Day was a powerful reminder to recognize and appreciate what unites us: the richness of Arabic as a language that fosters a more connected and peaceful world. 

A true cultural celebration, inviting us all to keep building bridges through words!

By Gabriela Sarmiento 

Marla, a student at the Faculty of Communication (FCOM) of the University of Havana, is a language student with experience in using the Internet for this purpose. 

She shared with our Foundation the advantages and challenges of online language learning, as well as valuable tips for those interested in this teaching method. 

She decided to learn English from scratch because it is «extremely important in both professional and academic settings.» According to her, unlike traditional methods, «online courses are accessible to everyone, more affordable than in-person classes, and I feel more connected to the language.»

Marla believes that a good online language course should be engaging, not just instructional, turning the learning process into an interactive experience. 

During her English learning journey, she has used several platforms and apps. On this topic, Malra says, «I think Duolingo is overrated. Todaii English is great for practicing listening and reading comprehension. Tandem, meanwhile, is a language exchange platform where I improve my speaking thanks to the native teachers who lead the classes.»

She points out that online courses include modules, lessons and exercises with videos, audio, texts and interactive games, providing a relaxed and ideal environment to increase the learner’s confidence during the learning process. One of the main advantages of these courses is «time flexibility: not being tied to a fixed schedule.»

She finds it very useful and interesting to «exchange with people from different cultures and share knowledge. I teach you my language in exchange for you teaching me yours.»

«Tandem and HelloTalk are pioneering platforms in this regard,» she adds.

During her journey, apps for learning English were essential because «they’re more accessible and let you have fun while learning. You can use them anywhere, making learning constant.»

However, Marla noticed that many apps lack well-developed exercises for speaking practice. To address this, she often turned to additional materials like books and websites to supplement her learning. 

On studying constantly from home, she says: «More is not always better. What works for me is to dedicate short periods of time so I don’t get tired or demotivated. I always study 30 minutes a day after class and 15 minutes on weekends in the morning.»

In this regard, she admits that the biggest challenge she faced was «procrastination: you need willpower not to switch from studying English to scrolling through IG.» Her strategy to overcome this was to block distracting apps to focus solely on studying.

Read more:

Green Zone Foundation to launch online Arabic course by next January.

These strategies paid off, as she tells us: «I love the language and I have never lost my motivation. My progress has been quite good: I would rate myself a 7 out of 10 because I am strict with myself. I’ve had the opportunity to travel abroad and use the language fluently in real-life situations.»

For those interested in learning a language online, Marla recommends «trying it out: it’s a convenient and personalized method where you control your own schedule.»

For those who already have experience with online courses, she advises not to focus on just one aspect of the language. Since many platforms focus on a single skill, it is best to use a variety of materials and resources. 

According to Marla, learning this new language has had a significant impact on her personal and professional life: «It has allowed me to broaden my world view, meet new people, discuss with them and, above all, learn about their cultures,» she says.

However, she acknowledges that «not everyone learns the same way. What is easy for me may not be for others, and some may need the structure and rigor of a language academy.» That’s why Marla believes that online courses will not completely replace face-to-face language training.

The Arab Culture Week in Cuba was packed with diverse and attractive cultural programs, lectures and debates. All this contributed to the event’s objective of showing the significant influence of Arab culture in Cuba and, at the same time, reviving the legacy of its ancestral wisdom. 

Through art, a bridge was built between East and West, based on unity and fraternity rooted in multiculturalism. 

The dance was performed by the talented dancers of the Ambar Traditional Dance School and Cuban SoHo companies, directed by Idiamis Vivar and Grettel Llabre, respectively. The intercultural exchange was especially evident in the show “Yadur” (meaning “Roots”), which blended expressive and rhythmic elements in harmony with the sound and musical influences of the Arab, Spanish and Cuban traditions. 

The event also featured the music of the Orquesta Experimental de Sonidos de Cuba, directed by Shama Milán. The young musicians offered an exceptional concert, playing Arabic music with Cuban instruments. 

In this regard, Omayma Shiakh Eldin, Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of Qatar’s Green Zone Foundation (GZF), thanked both institutions for the fusion of Arab and Cuban music and dance. She said, “Through art, this celebration has fulfilled GZF’s mission of bridging the gap between the peoples of East and West through multiculturalism.” 

This same sentiment drives GZF’s work, including its proposal for an online Arabic language course, to be delivered through the AlifBee app. GZF invites you to join this journey, not just to learn a language, but to immerse yourself in a whole culture, history and tradition of ancient peoples. 

At GZF, our goal is to foster ties between the Arabic and Spanish-speaking communities through language, communication, art and culture.