Paris celebrates Arab excellence
For the fourth consecutive year, TAKREEM continues to identify Arabs who have excelled in their fields and that can inspire others in their quest for cultural, educational, scientific, environmental, humanitarian, social and economic developments. After Beirut, Doha and Manama, TAKREEM ceremony was held at the Arab World Institute, Paris.
The following Achievers were honored for their outstanding accomplishments: Nadwa Qaragholi - Iraq for the Humanitarian and Civic Services Award
Amin Kassis - Syria for the Scientific and Technological Achievement Award
Jihad Shoja’ eyeh - Palestine for Innovation in Education Award
George Tarabichi- Syria for Cultural
Excellence Award Sameh Seif Ghali - Egypt for the Environmental Development and Sustainability Award
Hanaa Edwar - Iraq for the Arab Woman of the Year Award
Khaled Al Sabawi - Palestine for the Young Entrepreneur Award
George Altirs - Lebanon for the Outstanding Corporate Leadership Award Education for Employment - USA for the Exceptional Contribution to Arab Society Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given posthumously in memory of the late Alia El-Solh, also known as “the Daughter of Independence “, who struggled and fought for the freedom in the Arab world. In his opening remarks, Ricardo Karam, Founder of TAKREEM, stated: “Within this atmosphere of turmoil and pain, we are gathering to celebrate. How can that be? We are here to embrace the successes among Arabs and in the Arab world that can be summed in the word renaissance. Our aim is to ensure that people, when they focus on the Arab world, see examples of excellence in virtually every arena of human endeavor. And thus Takreem was born “.
The evening attended by 400 guests, was hosted by Al Jazeera anchor woman Laila Al-Shaikhli.
A press conference took place the following day, at the Four Seasons Hotel - George V.
TAKREEM 2013 Jury Board included Sheikha Mai Al-Khalifa, Shaikha Paula AlSabah, Dr Hanan Ashrawi, Dr Nouha AlHegelan, Mr AndrÈ Azoulay, Dr Lakhdar Brahimi, Prof Alain Carpentier, Dr Mohamed Mansour, Carlos Ghosn, Marc Levy, Dr Leila Sharaf, and Mr Raja Sidawi.
TAKREEM was given valuable support by the following strategic partners : Salam International, Renault-Nissan Alliance, Amec, CCC, Chopard, Total and Projacs.