The graduation ceremony for the first batch of the The JointPostgraduate Diploma on Peaceful Coexistence launched in collaboration with theKing Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence (KHGC), the UN-affiliatedUniversity for Peace (UPEACE) , and GIOYA Higher Education institution inMalta.

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister ofTransportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees ofKHGC, highlighted that tolerance, peace, and interfaith dialogue are coreBahraini values, guided by the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Hamadbin Isa Al Khalifa, aiming for a secure and prosperous world.

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed commended Bahrain's role as aglobal leader in fostering cultural and religious understanding.

He highlighted the diploma programme as part of the centre'sefforts to advance the values of the Bahrain Declaration, fostering peace,religious freedom, and mutual respect as foundations for sustainabledevelopment.

The programme equips participants with skills in humanrights, peacebuilding, tolerance, conflict resolution, and sustainabledevelopment, underpinned by international law, he added.

Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed commended Bahrain'sinitiatives, including the King Hamad Award for Peaceful Coexistence and theKingdom’s call for an international treaty to criminalise hate speech. He alsonoted Bahrain's hosting of global forums such as the Bahrain Forum for Dialogueattended by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar.

He emphasised that the graduates, representing 19 countries,are now ambassadors of peace, tasked with applying their skills to fosterunderstanding and resolve conflicts.

Professor Francisco Rojas Aravena, Rector of the UNUniversity for Peace, commended the programme's success as a reflection ofBahrain’s dedication to spreading tolerance and coexistence globally.

Professor Maurits Van Rooijen of GIOYA Higher Educationinstitution commended Bahrain’s role in promoting peace and mutualunderstanding.