2007

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department - Amman) People never stop learning – and not even teachers are exempt from that maxim. Thanks to a series of meetings between Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, President Lee Bollinger of Columbia University, and President Susan Fuhrman of Columbia's Teachers College, as well as Her Majesty's visits to Columbia University, 12 Jordanian teachers will participate in a teachers' training program at Columbia University this summer where they will have the chance to learn some new techniques to bring back to their classrooms.

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Boston) - The lush campus of Harvard University exceeds the beauty of pictures, and the challenging learning curriculum there exceeds expectations. Thanks to two fellowships announced by the Women's Leadership Board (WLB) at Harvard in honor of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah's visit, a number of Jordanian students will soon be able to experience everything that the university has to offer.

Let me start with the traditional greeting of Islam: peace be upon you.

I welcome the opportunity to engage in this conversation, and I am glad to think global readers are interested in Islam, a religion shared and cherished by millions of men and women around the world. I hope that this exercise challenges perceptions that Muslims are somehow different…strange…a breed apart. The other.

(Office of Her Majesty, Press Department – Madaba) Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, UNICEF's first Eminent Advocate for Children, visited Al Faisaliyeh Primary Health Care Center in Madaba, to promote the center's advancement in providing quality health care access for the governorate's youngest citizens and their mothers.

Colleen McEdwards: Well, Jordan's Queen Rania is without question a different sort of sovereign, she's young, well educated, she chairs non-governmental organizations, and she travels the world, talking about education and the rights of women and children.

I had a chance to talk to her while she was in Los Angeles. We discussed her work, the war in Iraq, and her recent visit to an L.A. high school.

"It is time to throw a lifeline to Iraqi children: those facing the violence in Iraq, and those now sheltering in Jordan and Syria. Today’s launch of UNICEF’s report on Iraqi children in Iraq and neighbouring countries tells a painful story. 

Faced as we are with a daily barrage of bad news, some might feel that the situation is hopeless. But stepping up support right now in Iraq and in neighboring countries is not only possible, it is also the best way to protect Iraq’s future – its children.

Thank you, Stephan, for those kind words and thank you, Jeff, for the privilege of being here today at the Skoll World Forum.

Not many of you know this, but I am married to a Trekkie…and not just any Trekkie, but one who, for a few seconds, proudly shared the deck of the Starship Enterprise with Captain James T. Kirk and his crew.

You might not know this either, but yesterday marked the birthday of Captain Kirk... albeit 226 years from now.

[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S92GUKy9oI]]

"Thank you very much Dean Ellwood, Mr. White… 

Let me begin by saying it is wonderful to be with you all in Harvard tonight. It is always a pleasure to visit the US, especially in the midst of such a lively and competitive election season. The tension is tremendous…the atmosphere is electric…the whole country-- the whole world-- is on the edge of their seats… trying to predict the winner. Will it be Melinda, Lakisha or Blake?! The new American Idol.

"Thank you, Bo.

Your Royal Highness, Ms. Fr?stad, Ms. Norrfalk, ladies and gentleman…

One of Sweden’s greatest gifts to the world is the legacy of Alfred Nobel. And in 1964, as some of you may remember, the Nobel Peace Prize went to Dr. Martin Luther King. 

"I am pleased to be here with fellow board members of the United Nations Foundation as we announce a new and exciting partnership between the World Heritage Alliance, Expedia and Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. 

Thank you for visiting Jordan…for supporting Petra so generously…and for partnering with us to promote and preserve our ancient and awe-inspiring heritage sites.