KUWAIT: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Bader Al-Essa stressed yesterday his ministry's keenness to celebrate the first anniversary of naming His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah a 'Humanitarian Leader'- saying that this enhances Kuwait's positive role and pioneering humanitarian work.

Al-Essa said that the ministry has prepared a series of events and celebrations marking the occasion, which begin today in a number of schools in Kuwait in order to highlight the humanitarian role played by Kuwait at all levels to serve the needy and distressed. The minister said the honoring of Kuwait as a (Humanitarian Center) and His Highness the Amir as a 'Humanitarian Leader' by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon depicted the country's considerable efforts and contributions to humanity, including its supportive political stance globally.

Al-Essa added that Ban Ki-moon's concluding statement at the closing of the second donors conference in January 2014, when he thanked His Highness the Amir and the State of Kuwait for their contributions encouraged the international community to contribute generously to the conference. "Kuwait will continue its path and support to humanity and humanitarian work in various parts of the world, and will spare no efforts in providing services and initiatives for humanity reflecting the positive image of our country", Al-Essa said.

The minister added that His Highness the Amir has chosen kindness and compassion as a policy and a way to address differences and disputes, which in turn reflected on the country's approach towards many regional and global issues. Al-Essa stressed that "Kuwaiti politics under His Highness the Amir's leadership demonstrated that humanitarian aid must not be purely an emergency response to sudden tragedy, but a steady and coordinated behavior over time to ease the suffering and anguish of all our brothers in humanity."

The minister underscored the importance of educating students at all levels about His Highness the Amir's efforts towards humanity. The celebrations are scheduled to kick off tomorrow. The first event will take place at Omaimah Bint Khalaf School in Saad Al-Abdullah area in Al-Jahra Governorate and will continue onward to other areas. - KUNA