SNAS/DHL, the region’s leading express and logistics provider, today saw the Saudi participants of the 2007 Connecting Cultures Desert Crossing Expedition off on their exciting journey to Oman. The Saudi General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW) is also supporting the initiative.
A team of 16 young people from six nations and three continents are attempting a journey across 100km of the Al Sharqiya desert in north-eastern Oman, using camels for support.
David Wilson, SNAS/DHL Country Manager for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia said: “As the leading express and logistics provider for both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the region, we welcome the opportunity to be the title partner for this incredible educational initiative to further promote intercultural dialogue and understanding.”
SNAS/DHL’s support of the expedition follows the company’s successful involvement as partner of the 2005 Connecting Cultures Arctic expedition, which brought together 10 boys - six from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and four from Britain, to spend two weeks on the remote Arctic island of Svalbard, some 500 miles from the North Pole on a challenging wilderness venture.
Mohamed bin Abdullah Al Dabasy, General Manager of Youth Activities Commission at the Saudi General Presidency of Youth Welfare said: “Based on the directives of H.R.H. Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, President of GPYW to support the participation of Saudi youths in both Arab and International events in order that they can interact with their peers from around the globe, we have delegated a team of youths from Saudi to join the
expedition. They will be able to interact with peers from a variety of backgrounds and cultures and will learn about the heritage of other countries. The initiative will also develop and promote cultural dialogue and understanding among youths.”
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is participating alongside GCC, Oman, Jordan, Britain, Pakistan and Fiji teams in the Desert Crossing Expedition in Sultanate of Oman. The Saudi team members include Waleed Ibrahim Qadri, Talal Faisal Al-Sayed and Raed Mohamed Al-Hussainin.
Mark Evans, founder of Connecting Cultures, and teacher at British School Muscat, commented: “Connecting Cultures has proven to be an important building block towards creating understanding among different backgrounds, especially at a time when respect, consideration and understanding are increasingly needed. These boys will embark on an adventure that for most will be a once-in-a lifetime experience.”
Participating in this amazing expedition is a team of young men aged 17 to 19 selected from Oman, KSA, Jordan and the UK as well as Fiji and Pakistan. Each of these participants will experience a unique challenge through which they will develop an appreciation of the key life skills of leadership, teamwork, communication and trust.
