Providing a brighter future for the children of Iraq

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TIE presents Value of Play at the 56th International Toy Fair in Nürnberg

TIE promotes the value of play at the International Toy Fair in Nürnberg

Providing a brighter future for the children of Iraq

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Providing a brighter future for the children of Iraq

TIE’s donation to the AMAR International Charitable Foundation helps equip schools in the Iraqi Marshlands

TIE has teamed up with prominent Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the AMAR International Foundation, Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne, to provide a brighter future for the children of Iraq. TIE’s donation will help equip primary schools which are currently being rebuilt in the Iraqi Marshlands.


Commissioner Chris Patten Sheikh Naeem Shalghlam Al-Baghannam Sheikh Haddam Mohan Safah Al-Bashama Baroness Nicholson	Bryan Ellis

TIE is proud to support such an admirable cause and is delighted to be able to play a part in equipping these primary schools, which will allow children to learn through classroom lessons as well as through play. We see every day how toys and play are an intrinsic part of child development, helping them acquire a variety of skills for life. Play is an effective teaching strategy and can be a powerful tool in changing lives. The plight of the Iraqi Marshland people was brought to TIE’s attention at a meeting with Baroness Nicholson in 2003. What touched us particularly was the fact that it is the children of Iraq who have perhaps suffered the most in recent years. Deprived of their fundamental rights to education and play, they have had their childhood taken away from them. Supporting AMAR in rebuilding the Iraqi education system clearly fits in with the important role that the toy industry plays in the psychological, physical and social development of children.


Commissioner Chris Patten Baroness Nicholson	Baroness Nicholson Bryan Ellis Sheikh Sami Azara Al-Majun HE Mr Nassir Al-Assaf HE Mr Abdulazeez Al-Shakrih

Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne MEP warmly praised our involvement during a lunch held to commemorate TIE’s donation. “TIE’s most generous contribution will make a significant step towards improving the conditions in which children of this region in Iraq will grow up,” said Baroness Nicholson. “Establishing a formal education system and school buildings will ensure the future survival of the community.” The event was organised at the European Parliament on 6 April and coincided with a Hearing of the EP's Foreign Affairs Committee on the subject of Iraq and the Marsh Arabs.

Over 60 officials attended the lunch including Members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials, Ambassadors to the EU from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, United Arab Emirates, the Syrian Arab Republic and the Republic of Poland as well as leaders of two Marsh Arab tribes. TIE's Vice-Chairman Bryan Ellis delivered a speech, alongside His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Jalali, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to UNESCO and President of the 31st General Conference of UNESCO who particularly underlined the importance of this donation to AMAR by TIE in the struggle to support some of the world’s most vulnerable children.

AMAR (Assisting Marsh Arabs and Refugees) was set up following the first Gulf War to help the Marsh Arab community which has been persecuted by Saddam Hussein who drained their marshes and drove them away. Baroness Nicholson has made a long-term commitment to a people whose culture can be traced thousands of years.

Please select the following links for further information on the event:

Pictures
attendance list.pdf (22 KB)
press release AMAR.pdf (24 KB)

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