CITC trains 60 senior govt officials to take advantage of technologies, data
Program conducted in cooperation with Microsoft, Gartner and Deloitte ‘Human rights values embedded in Kuwait Constitution’
KSHR receives 295 labor complaints from expat workers
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 28: The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) in cooperation with Microsoft, has completed training of than 60 senior government officials to benefit from modern technologies and data to bring about change and development and enhance their capabilities to contribute to the digital transformation of the government, reports Al-Rai daily.
CAIRO, Dec 28, (Agencies): The values of human rights have been firmly entrenched in Kuwait’s Constitution since the country’s independence, a Kuwaiti diplomat said on Tuesday, stressing that such a policy is aligned with relevant global conventions.
Kuwait has sought to ensure that its constitution would serve as the “political and legal bedrock” of national efforts to protect human rights, Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affair Talal Al-Mutairi said amid pan Arab talks to discuss his country’s inaugural report on human rights.
On the outcome of the talks in the Egyptian capital, he said the session was both “fruitful and productive,” adding that measures to protect human rights run the gamut from the proportionate distribution of healthcare services to equal education for all.
These measures are appreciated and supported across the wider Arab region, added the diplomat, highlighting that Arab states attach equal importance to human rights issues.
Meanwhile, Chief of Arab Charter for Human Rights (ACHR) committee, counselor Jaber Al-Marri commended, Tuesday, the Kuwaiti efforts in executing the principles and articles of the charter. This came on sideline of the committee meeting designated for discussing first periodic report for the state of Kuwait.
Al-Marri stated to KUNA that Kuwait has been actively contributing to supporting and boosting human rights mechanisms for decades. He added that freedom of speech and expression were discussed, as well as right of prosperous life to those with mental and physical disabilities, and right of development and non-adherence to charter guidelines in states of emergency.
Al-Marri commented that human rights scene in the Arab world is witnessing tangible improvements as legislation are being put into effect to boost protection of human rights, as well as policies and strategies to support such endeavors.
The committee’s second day meeting saw interventions by committee members and replies from Kuwaiti delegation specialists. Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Haifa Abu Ghazaleh praised, yesterday in the beginning of the committee meeting, the active role of state of Kuwait in contributing to human rights enforcement.
Meanwhile, Kuwait Society for Human Rights (KSHR) Chairperson Khaled Al-Hamidi revealed the society received 295 labor complaints from expatriates workers from January to September — 182 of these complaints concern female workers, while 113 concern males, reports Al-Rai daily.
Al-Hamidi told the daily that 70 of these complaints were referred to the judiciary and 225 were resolved amicably.
Regarding the legal advice provided by the society within the same period, Al-Hamidi said there were 4,032 legal consultations: 1,154 for the Indian community, 799 for the Arab community, 779 for the Filipino community, 678 for the Englishspeaking communities, and 282 for the Urdu-speaking communities.
Ammar Al-Husseini, Deputy Director of CITC, said the first program was called the ‘Artificial Intelligence for Leaders in the Government Sector’, while the second training program was held under the name ‘The Concept of Digital Transformation in the Government Sector’, which was conducted in cooperation with Microsoft, Gartner and Deloitte.
Al-Husseini indicated the participants in the programs have expressed their happiness with the training programs that opened up horizons for innovation in their work, build the best digital strategies, and enable them to seize the opportunities offered by smart technology. The CITC intends to provide other training workshops in cooperation with Microsoft in the coming period.
He added, “The CITC is fully aware of the importance of raising the skills in the field of technology, so we hold many initiatives in cooperation with major international companies such as Microsoft to link leaders with international expertise and promote a culture of digital transformation among citizens and government agencies. We are happy to see the fruits of our efforts among the middle of the society that has already begun to get used to the use of technology.
“Therefore, we will continue our journey by investing in thought and bringing about the change and development by making use of smart technology to provide distinguished services to the citizens and residents of our beloved Kuwait in line with the country’s 2035 vision.”
For his part, Ala’a El-Din Karim, General Manager of Microsoft in Kuwait, said: “Through our ongoing partnership with the CITC, we aim to enable senior officials in the government sector to take their leading place in the country, and build a solid base of skilled cadres who are able to unleash innovation, provide better services and overcome challenges.”
He added: “Maximizing the use of technology Kuwait will be among the world’s advanced countries, and Kuwait is considered a pioneer in upgrading the skills of its leaders and keeping pace with the latest developments.”