Takreem

TAKREEM (تكريم)[1] is a non-profit organization founded in 2009[2] by Ricardo Karam[3] to honor Arab individuals or organizations that have contributed to the development of their respective communities and to the betterment of the world in the fields culture, education, science, environmental studies, humanitarian services, and socio-economic development.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

TAKREEM’s aim is to inspire younger generations and to prove to the world that in the midst of the misconceptions, Arabs can prosper, embrace creativity, freedom of thought, human rights, entrepreneurship, advanced technology and gender equality. The organization's road map consists in conferences, symposiums, meetings, mentorships and an Awards Ceremony organized in a different city every year.

History

Karam came up with the idea of TAKREEM in 2004 and launched the Foundation in 2009. Observing the guests he had interviewed on his talk show, he realized that the Arab world needed to highlight more of its achievers, stating “…every year we try to spot different achievers from different fields, and we try to give hope to the youth by telling [them to] look at these examples. You can make it as well.”[3]

Karam announced TAKREEM at a press conference held at École supérieure des affaires (ESA), Beirut.[2]

Activities

TAKREEM holds year-round activities such as conferences, panel discussions, talks, forums, in addition to its annual Awards Ceremony. These activities host notable figures from different parts of the world who share their insights on important issues drawing on their life experiences and careers.

Conferences

Year	City	Topics	Participants
2017[12]	Amman	Successful women share their best career advice	Dr. May Chidiac, Randa Habib, Rania Atalla, and Muna Batayneh
		The Arab World between today and tomorrow	Khaled Janahi, Ghassan Saab, Tariq Khayyat, Dalaa Al Mufti, Soraya Bahgat, and Sara Abou Shaar
2015[13]	Dubai	Arab Women Today	Sheikh Saleh Al-Turki, Vian Dakhil, George Altirs, Tarick Smiley, Joumana Odeh, and Magda el Sanousi
		The Future of The Arab Youth	Dr. Fadlo Khuri, Paul Abi Rached, Dr. Samar Al Hamoud, Samir Brikho, Nabil Habayeb, and Mazen Tamar
2014	Marrakesh	Together Towards Success	Samir Brikho, Osman Sultan, Yasma Fleihan, Marwan Chatila, Mona Makram Ebeid, and Laila Al Shaikhli

Panel discussions

Year	City	Topics	Panelists
2019	London	They are Shaping the World's Agenda[14]	Karen Frank, Nina Dos Santos, and Fadumo Dayib
2018[15]	Paris	How leaders thrive in tough times	Carlos Ghosn, Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud and Hala Gorani

TAKminds

In 2018, TAKREEM expanded to also include TAKminds, to not only celebrate the talents of the Arab world, but to also provide them with a platform where they can connect, build bridges and find new ways together to create sustainable communities and opportunities for the future generations of the Arab world.[16]

Year	City	Topics	Speakers
2018	Kuwait	Ending violence against children globally	Children Rights Activist Kailash Satyarthi (Keynote Speaker)
		Cities of today, talents of tomorrow	Wael Al Awar,Emile Haddad, Romy Hawwatt, Khaled Janahi, Melek El Nimer
		Art, an ideal for sale?	Dr. Tamara Chalabi, Raneem Zaki Farsi, Ali Khadra, Dr. Ahmed Mater
		Of group dynamics and women empowerment	Fadumo Dayib, Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, Mohammad Naciri, Rana Al Nibari, Dr. Al Anoud Al Sharekh
		Dreams of a refugee	Mostafa Salameh
		Breaking streotypes through sports	Manal Rostom

Award ceremonies

Ceremony	Location	Date	Year
First	Beirut	25 March	2010[17]
Second	Doha	30 April	2011[7]
Third	Manama	30 November	2012[6]
Forth	Paris	14 November	2013[18]
Fifth	Marrakesh	8 November	2014[19]
Sixth	Dubai	14 November	2015[13]
Seventh	Cairo	26 November	2016[20]
Eighth	Amman	25 November	2017[5]
Ninth	Kuwait	17 November	2018
Tenth	Online	29 November	2020[21][22]

Laureates selection process

Nominations

TAKREEM uses a strict framework for its candidate selection process with one single mandatory prerequisite: Arab ancestry, except for the International Contribution to Arab Society category. This framework operates on an unbiased and non-discriminatory manner, giving equal rights to entry without regard to religion, gender, nationality, political beliefs or age.[23]

Once deemed eligible, candidates are classed in the most suitable category.

Selection process

TAKREEM established a comprehensive evaluation process to assess candidates, select the finalists and set the winners apart. The two-stage screening process[4] involves a Selection Board and a Jury Board whose experienced and diligent members evaluate eligible applicants through pre-determined by-laws.

The Selection Board drafts a short-list of candidates for the Jury Board to appraise and select a laureate for each of TAKREEM’s nine categories. The grading is classified and the identity of the laureates are only disclosed the night of the ceremony.[10]

Award categories

TAKREEM presents each year an award in each of the nine following categories to one individual or institution:[4][24]

• Young Entrepreneur
• Scientific and Technological Achievement
• Cultural Excellence
• Environmental Development and Sustainability
• Outstanding Arab Woman
• Excellence in Education
• Humanitarian and Civic Services
• Corporate Leadership
• International Contribution to Arab Society

TAKREEM also honors renowned personalities through three different options:

• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Special Distinction
• Legacy Award

Jury board members

Years	Names
2019	Dr. Ahmed Heikal, Lady Hayat Palumbo, Princess Alia Tabbaa, Sheikha Paula Al Sabah, Mr. Khaled Janahi, Mr. Abdul Hamied Ahmed Seddiqi, Ms. Paula Al Askari, Ms. Fadumo Dayib, Mr. Emile Haddad, Mr. Shwan Taha, Mr. Rafik Ben Ayed, Mr. Raja Sidawi, Ms. Maha Kaddoura, Dr. Hilal Al Sayer and Dr. Farida Allaghi.
2018	Dr. Ahmed Heikal, Dr. Akef El Maghraby, Princess Alia Tabbaa, Mr. Aziz Mekouar, Mr. Carlos Ghosn, Dr. Elyès Jouini, Dr. Farida Allaghi, Sheikha Hala Al-Khalifa, Lady Hayat Palumbo, Mr. Khaled Janahi, Mrs. Nora Joumblatt, Dr. Nouha Alhegelan, Shaikha Paula Al Sabah, Mr. Raja Sidawi, Mr. Riad Al Sadik, Sheikh Saleh Ali Al-Turki.
2017[5]	Dr. Ahmed Heikal, Dr. Akef El Maghraby, Princess Alia Tabbaa, Mr. Carlos Ghosn, Sheikha Hala Al-Khalifa, Lady Hayat Palumbo, Mr. Issa Abu Issa, Dr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Mr. Marc Levy, Mrs. Nora Joumblatt, Dr. Nouha Alhegelan, Shaikha Paula Al Sabah, Mr. Raja Sidawi, Mr. Riad Al Sadik, Sheikh Saleh Ali Al-Turki, Mr. Samir Brikho.
2016[25]	Dr. Ahmed Heikal, Princess Banderi Alfaisal, Mr. Carlos Ghosn, Dr. Farida Allaghi, Mr. Issa Abu Issa, Dr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Shaikha Mai Al-Khalifa, Mr. Marc Levy, Queen Noor Al Hussein, Mrs. Nora Joumblatt, Dr. Nouha Alhegelan, Shaikha Paula Al Sabah, Mr. Raja Sidawi, Mr. Riad Al Sadik, Sheikh Saleh Ali Al-Turki, Mr. Samer Khoury, Mr. Samir Brikho, Mr. Thomas Abraham.
2015	Dr. Ahmed Heikal, Mrs. Asma Seddiq Al-Mutawa, Princess Banderi Alfaisal, Mr. Carlos Ghosn, Dr. Farida Allaghi, Lady Hayat Palumbo, Mr. Issa Abu Issa, Dr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Shaikha Mai Al-Khalifa, Prince Mansour Bin Nasser, Mr. Marc Levy, Queen Noor Al Hussein, Mrs. Nora Joumblatt, Shaikha Paula Al Sabah, Mr. Raja Sidawi, Sheikh Saleh Ali Al-Turki, Mr. Samer Khoury, Mr. Samir Assaf, Mr. Samir Brikho, Mr. Thomas Abraham.
2014[6]	Mr. André Azoulay, Princess Banderi Alfaisal, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, Lady Hayat Palumbo, Mr. Issa Abu Issa, Shaikha Mai Al-Khalifa, Mr. Marc Levy, Mr. Moataz Al-Alfi, Queen Noor Al Hussein, Mrs. Nora Joumblatt, Shaikha Paula Al Sabah, Mr. Raja Sidawi, Sheikh Saleh Ali Al-Turki, Mr. Samer Khoury, Dr. Suad Juffali.
2013[18]	Prof. Alain Carpentier, Mr. Amin Maalouf, Mr. André Azoulay, Mr. Carlos Ghosn, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, Dr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Dr. Leila Sharaf, Shaikha Mai Al-Khalifa, Mr. Marc Levy, Mr. Mohamed Mansour, Dr. Nouha Alhegelan, Shaikha Paula Al Sabah, Mr. Raja Sidawi.
2012[26]	Mr. Amin Maalouf, Mr. André Azoulay, Mr. Carlos Ghosn, Dr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Dr. Leila Sharaf, Shaikha Mai Al-Khalifa, Mr. Marc Levy, Queen Noor Al Hussein, Dr. Nouha Alhegelan, Mr. Raja Sidawi.
2011[27]	Mr. Carlos Ghosn, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, Dr. Lakhdar Brahimi, Queen Noor Al Hussein, Mr. Raja Sidawi.
2010[28]	Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Mr. Carlos Ghosn, Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, Dr. Marwan Muasher.

Laureates

Years	Young Entrepreneur	Scientific and Technological Achievement	Cultural Excellence	Environmental Development and Sustainability	Outstanding Arab Woman	Excellence in Education	Humanitarian and Civic Services	Corporate Leadership	International Contribution to Arab Society
2019[29]	Rami Al-Qawasmi[29]	Hilal Lashuel[29]	Karim Wasfi[29]	Mazin Qumsyeh[29]	Essma Ben Hamida	Haifa Jamal Al Alil[29]	Husham Al Thahabi[29]	George Bitar[29]	MENTOR[29]
			Khalidy Library[29]	The Association for The Protection of The Environment[29]		INJAZ Al Arab[29]
2018[30]	Nadine Hachach	Rachid Yazami	Ahmed Mater	Majdah bint Mohamed Ahmed Aburas	Fareah Al Saqqaf	Tahar Ben Lakhdar	Magda Gobran	Emile Haddad	ANERA
	Sami Hourani
2017[31]	Ghanim Al-Muftah	Zohair Al Halees	Arab American National Museum	Sarah Toumi	Maali Alasousi	Nahla Hwalla	JUSOOR	Raymond Debbane	Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
2016[32]	Ziad Sankari	Tarek Amin	Fanni Raghman Anni	Fatima Jibrell	Zainab Salbi	Al Nayzak	Azza Abdel Hameed	Selim A. Bassoul	ASHOKA
2015[6]	Khalid Al-Khudair^[28]	Fadlo R. Khuri	Al Kamandjati	Lebanon Eco Movement	Vian Dakhil	Rawan Barakat	Jumana Odeh	Nabil Habayeb	Save the Children
2014[6]	Kamel Al-Asmar	Lihadh Al-Gazali	The Edward Said National Conservatory for Music	Applied Research Institute	Amal Basha	Azza Kamel	Amina Laraki Slaoui	Samih Toukan	Palestine Children's Relief Fund
2013[20]	Khaled Al Sabawi[33]	Amin Kassis	George Tarabichi	Sameh Seif Ghali	Hanaa Edwar	Jihad Shoja'eyeh	Nadwa Qaragholi	George Altirs	Education for Employment
2012	Habib Haddad	Nagy Habib	Samia Zaru	The Shouf Biosphere Reserve	Magda El Sanousi	A. M. Qattan Foundation	SESOBEL	Saad Abdullatif	Actes Sud Sindbad Publishing
2011	Samar Muhareb	Mujid Kazimi[34]	Mohamad Ghani Hikmat	Nature Iraq	Souhayr Belhassen	Elham Community	Suad Juffali	Ghanim Bin Saad Al Saad	George Galloway
2010	Rana Shanawani	Abdel Magid Hammouda	Jack Shaheen Salma Khadra Jayussi	Environmena Power Systems	Nahida Nakad	Saouma BouJaoude	Arcenciel	N/A	CAABU

Honorary distinctions

	Lifetime Achievement	Special Distinction	Legacy Award
2019	N/A	Claude Doumet Serhal[29]	N/A
		Stephane Attali[29]
		Princess Banderi Al Faisal[29]
2018	Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah	Sir Magdi Yacoub Nadia Sakati	Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
2017	Maroun Semaan	Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Melek El Nimer Nabil Nahas	King Hussein Bin Talal
2016	Zaha Hadid Bill Gates Faten Hamama	Princess Ghida Talal Etel Adnan	N/A
2015	Ghazi Algosaibi Riad Al-Sadik Mamdouha El-Sayed Bobst^[29]	Hilal and Margaret Al Sayer	N/A
2014	Ghassan Tueni Gilbert Chagouri	N/A	N/A
2013	Alia El Solh	N/A	N/A
2012	Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al-Nahayan Jimmy Carter	Anthony Shadid	N/A
2011	Hasib Sabbagh Helen Thomas	N/A	N/A

References

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5. Johnson, Sarah. "ANN: ARAB AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM EARNS PRESTIGIOUS ARAB WORLD HONOR". H-NET. Retrieved 22 April 2019.
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19. "PressReader.com - Your favorite newspapers and magazines". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
20. "Welcome to TAKREEM 2017 Newsletter. It is my great pleasure to write to you about our previous year and share with you our exciting projects. - PDF". docplayer.net. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
21. Desk, GDN Online. "Bahrain Business: Top businessman on Takreem jury board". www.gdnonline.com. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
22. https://executive-bulletin.com/events-and-entertainments/takreem-inspiring-generations-2
23. "10 outstanding Arabs to get achievement awards". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
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27. "Qatar Today June 2011". Issuu. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
28. "The Prince's Youth Business International Network Review 2010" (PDF). The Prince's Youth Business International. 2010.
29. "TAKREEM – Inspiring Generations". Executive Bulletin. 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
30. Webneoo. "Takreem | A better image of the Arab world". www.takreem.net. Retrieved 2019-06-10.
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32. "AUB - News and Events - 2017_Dr Hwalla Receives TAKREEM Award". website.aub.edu.lb. Retrieved 2019-05-14.
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34. "IN MEMORIAM: A TRIBUTE TO MUJID KAZIMI November 20,1947-July 1,2015". Arab Studies Quarterly. 37 (3): 220. 2015-07-01. ISSN 0271-3519.