Award winning author and artistic director Sharna Jackson loves some good old spookiness and mystery. So she wrote her books "The Good Turn" and "High Rise Mystery," to introduce children to the genre, just as she did growing up.
 
Sharna shares all the reasons why children should get a taste of the odd and peculiar!

Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2022- Sharna Jackson

We made a little friend on this special edition of Eyes On!

Shaikha is an avid reader and had a lot to tell us about her latest favorite books and stories.

Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2022 - Little Friend of the show Shaikha

The entire world is focusing on the concept of sustainability. It has become a reality for all of us as we face the consequences of Global Warming. But how can we teach children such a grand concept?

Author of the award-winning picture book author of EARTH HOUR Nanette Heffernan, tells us how we can slowly incorporate the concept of sustainability in children's daily lives and make it a natural process.

Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2022- Nanette Heffernan

Is everyone capable of changing their habits? 
According to Charles Duhigg, yes.

Charles tells us how to detect a bad habit and then slowly work towards changing it.

International Government Communication Forum 2022- Charles Duhigg

Abraham teaches us how children can easily delve into the world of robotics!

Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2022- Abraham and Robots

Of course there are plenty of talented and wonderful children at the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival and Selina is one of them! She tells all about her ambitions, participation at a competition and her favorite books!

Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2022- Little Friend of the Show Selina

Building cultural bridges among nations is not a new form of creating bilateral ties. However, Irthi Contemporary Council takes it to another level by using traditional crafts to introduce the world to Emirati heritage and culture. They not only empower traditional artisans across the world, but also collaborate with them on hybrid crafts that marry Emirati and other forms of craft making.

Alya Omar Al Midfa, the Senior Executive at the Marketing & Corporate Communication department of Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, tells us about their latest collaborations at Milan Design Week 2022 and Irthi's objectives.

Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council At Milan Design Week 2022

As the pandemic went on and people worked from home, a lot individuals realized that they actually preferred the flexible hours and working remotely over coming to the office.

An interesting study conducted in the UAE, show that a lot of employees share the same sentiment even going as far as preferring it over a salary increase.

UAE Workers Prefer Remote Working over Salary Increase

A UAE-based company is proposing a plan to build 93KM climate-controlled highway, turning Dubai into a walkable city.

But is it truly feasible? Can the idea work? Or is it just another far-fetched dream?

The 93KM Climate-Controlled Dubai Highway: Sci-Fi or Reality?

Barbadian artist Annalee Davis grew up surrounded by trauma, anxiety and fear that was deeply rooted in the land, souls and minds of her people. With a turbulent history dealing with colonialism, slavery and the erasure of her culture, she decided on an act of rebellion: healing through plants.

Annalee speaks about her apothecary that contained all kinds of plants such as lemongrass and cerasee, that she grew from scratch with Yeori Guépin for Sharjah Biennial 15. A place that allows people to slow down, recalibrate and drink tea.

"Pray to Flowers – A Plot of Disalienation": Annalee Davis's Apothecary in Bait Al Hurma

The UAE, based on the directives of its wise leadership, and over more than five decades, has established itself as a key supporter of efforts to enhance global security and stability through its development programmes, humanitarian aid and initiatives aimed at the development of humanity and spreading the values of goodness and peace.

To that end, the UAE has followed a clear path based on achieving prosperity and supporting growth in the countries of the world, based on the values and principles of giving, in addition to the country's experience and achievements across vital sectors.

To achieve this, the UAE has provided many forms of support for global development projects, and has continued its active role in international organisations and institutions in order to achieve common aspirations.

In this context, the UAE has actively contributed to supporting the Group of Five for the Sahel (G5 Sahel) in sub-Saharan Africa, which includes Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger.

The UAE was, and still is, a reliable partner to the countries of the Sahel region by providing them with support in facing challenges through its continuous development aid. During the period from 2018 to 2023, the value of UAE foreign aid to the G5 Sahel countries amounted to US$750 million, which constitutes 3 percent of the country's total foreign aid during this period.

About 75 percent of the UAE's foreign aid to the Sahel countries was provided in the form of development aid, while charitable and humanitarian aid accounted for 16 percent and 9 percent respectively.

With the UAE’s pioneering efforts to support the G5 Sahel countries to achieve their development goals and objectives, the UAE's development aid contributes to mitigating the repercussions and effects of climate change, as well as facing the G5 Sahel countries’ economic challenges.

In light of the report issued by the World Bank in 2022, the Sahel countries face many challenges, including severe drought, floods, and multiple repercussions associated with climate change. The report also indicated that estimation note to an increase in the region’s temperatures by 2 degrees Celsius by 2040, which requires more support and development aid.

The World Bank highlighted the importance of meeting the needs of the G5 Sahel countries to enhance their response in facing climate challenges, and the importance of achieving “rapid, strong and inclusive” economic growth in this region to assist in “better adaptation to climate change.”

The UAE’s relief and humanitarian work is a comprehensive institutional work carried out by over 43 official and civil bodies. The country’s humanitarian work is not limited to providing material assistance, but also extends to direct interaction and mobilising aid to crisis-affected areas.

The UAE’s distinguished experience in the field of relief and humanitarian development work is based on continuity through the implementation of development projects that benefit the people of the beneficiary countries, such as building housing, hospitals, constructing roads, power stations and digging wells, which provides sustainable development support for basic resources based on effective contribution to improving living conditions in the affected countries.

UAE.. Pioneering efforts and continuous development aid to support Africa’s Sahel region

Thinking of going into the world of robotics, artificial intelligence or computer science?

Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence is incorporating these new disciplines into their curriculum with two new departments and four associated graduate programs, to keep up with upcoming trends and the surging global demand.

Mohammed bin Zayed University of A.I. Introduces New Robotics Departments and Graduate Programs

Many histories have been tainted or lost because of colonialism, but Oumaima Abaraghe uses collage techniques and digital manipulation to reconstruct Morocco’s fragmentary colonial archive, challenging these powers and facing a forgotten past she never lived to see but continues to live through her and many others.

Vantage Point Sharjah 11- Omaimah Abaraghe

We delve deep into the mind of the pioneer Arab abstract artist Samia Halaby, talking about what drives her, her experimentation and her relationship with shapes and color.

Lasting Impressions: An Interview with Samia Halaby

As an artist and avid reader, Jane came up with the best idea to combine both of her passions: illustrating bookshelves.

Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2024- Jane Mount

When Hannah noticed that there are barely any books about Palestine, she decided to take it upon herself to tell her father's story and the story of thousands of people in the diaspora who had to leave their homelands in search of a new life.

Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2024- Hannah Moushabeck

Dr. Al Jones is quite passionate in his field as an educator, and in the many years he worked with children with disabilities and their families, he became a massive champion of artificial intelligence and how it can aid these kids.

Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2024- Dr. Al Jones

The UAE pavilions at the upcoming 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan, will be a self-built pavilion inspired by date palm trees and one of the largest, participating pavilions.

The pavilion is inspired by the ancestors of the country's values of conservation and coexistence with the environment, build with traditional Emirati materials and combined with Japanese expertise in wooden building techniques

The UAE Will Have One Of The Largest Country Pavilions At Expo 2025 Osaka

Emirati Women's Day 2024 With Dr. Sarah AlMarzooqi

Hiking fans, rejoice!

Hatta is now home to the UAE's longest hiking trail, featuring 21 cycling routes spanning 53km and 17 walking trails across 33km.

The UAE's Longest Mountain Trail is now Open in Hatta

During the latest Sharjah Executive Council meeting, they approved a plan to provide electric vehicle charging stations in multiple strategic locations to cover commercial and urban areas in the emirate.

This decision may seem small, but it can indirectly encourage people to switch to electric cars.

Sharjah Executive Council approves a plan to provide electric vehicle charging stations

According to World Cancer Research Fund, breast cancer is the 2nd most common cancer worldwide. But when it's detected early and in the localized stage, the survival rates can jump up to 99%.

Badr Qasem Al Jaaidi, the Programs Manager at Friends of Cancer Patients talks all about their longstanding breast cancer awareness initiative the Pink Caravan, and all the services it offers to everyone.

The Pink Caravan and Breast Cancer Awareness with Badr Qasem Al Jaaidi

We have been translating books and documents for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. In fact, it has been one of the main ways of sharing knowledge beyond the barrier of borders and language.

Author and publisher Nour Arab alongside Robert Morgan, a publisher at BookLand Press, take us through their journeys with translation and why it is still needed and relevant in our modern day.




SIBF24: Books and Translating them with Nour Arab and Robert Morgan

We have seen the word "Ayurveda" stamped on many ideas and items, making it difficult to pin down.

Dr. Pratima Raichur, who grew up learning and being exposed to Ayurveda, clears up any misunderstandings on the traditional practice and explains how its connected to every layer of our body, especially the skin.

SIBF24: Ayurveda and Skin with Dr. Pratima Raichur

What is "mindfulness"?

For Dr. Lynn Rossy, it's not only being aware of your surroundings but also aware of your situation, being conscious and enjoying what you eat.

SIBF24: Mindfulness with Dr. Lynn Rossy

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Ester didn't realize that she will get an opportunity to discover a passion and love for poetry, that she will eventually use as a voice for herself and other overseas Filipino workers.

SIBF24: From Nanny to Poet with Ester Vargas-Castillo

Chef Thuy realised that Vietnamese cuisine needs its moment, so she channels her memories of being in her grandmother's kitchen into her recipes and teaching other chefs.

SIBF24: Vietnamese Cuisine with Chef Thuy Diem Pham

After experiencing many cultures and mingling with the people, Rebecca decided that she wanted to share her stories in a book.

SIBF24: Around the World with Rebecca J. Dahl

Steven Bartlett knows a thing or two about being an entrepreneur, especially as a risk-taker.

So what makes an entrepreneur? And when do you know how to stop and pivot or even drop everything and quit? Steven tells us all his ideas, especially when it comes expanding your abilities and becoming a better, more knowledgeable version of yourself.

SIBF24: Entrepreneurship and Quitting with Steven Bartlett

The Africa Institute in Sharjah, an entity of Global Studies University, organizes a "Country-Focused Season" as a way to start conversations on the continent, through various scopes, looking at its past, present and future.

Associate Professor of African History Professor John Thabiti Willis joins us to talk about the latest season focusing on the African islands and territories bordering the Indian Ocean, and its latest symposium "Thinking the Archipelago: Africa’s Indian Ocean Islands."

Africa’s Indian Ocean Islands with Professor John Thabiti Willis

Want to start a podcast?

Sharjah Media City (SHAMS) has got you covered with their newest fully-equipped Podcast Room. We got Obaid AlSuwaidi, Media Production Services Section Manager at SHAMS, and the brains behind the idea on Eyes On to give us all the details.

The SHAMS Podcast Room with Obaid Al Suwaidi

We already know that we don't exist in a void, because we live in a community whose well-being- whether we're aware of it or not- depends on us.

But what about these systems that exist? And how can we teach our children about being socially responsible and "aware"? Award-winning author Linda Booth Sweeney is a systems educator, who shares her knowledge on how to navigate this conversation. 

SCRF25: Thinking About Systems with Linda Booth Sweeney

If there is someone who is an expert on getting your kids involved in cooking, it's Chef D himself!

Chef Dario Stephen, Chef & Owner of Kids Can Cook, talks to us on his experience as someone who has worked with kids as young as toddlers all the way to teenagers in the kitchen, also shedding some lights on difficult things to navigate like picky eaters, allergies and food intolerances.

SCRF25: Cooking with Kids with Chef Dario Stephen

The mind behind the wonderful adventures of the mouse Geronimo Stilton and his sister Tea Stilton, Elisabetta Dami, joins us to share her very own adventures into the creation of this series of stories and values she's trying to instill through her lively characters!

SCRF25: The Adventures of Geronimo Stilton and Tea Stilton series with Elisabetta Dami

Inspired by Dilbert and the Peanuts comics, Stephan Pastis grabbed his pencil and became friends with the 4-panel comic strip.

Now, many stories, illustrations and books later, he speaks to us about his journey and love for illustration and even how he got his book "Timmy Failure" turned in to a movie on Disney.

SCRF 25: Comic Strips with Stephan Pastis

Missing her mom's cooking, Maha Kailani took to the internet to start documenting her recipes, starting "Make Delicious Happen", a blog dedicated to simplifying classic Middle Eastern recipes and eventually releasing the book "Yalla, Let’s Eat!"

SCRF25: Simplifying Middle Eastern Cuisine with Maha Kailani

Illustrators and writers usually work hand-in-hand, together. But what if you are both?

Dora Wang tell us her journey as an illustrator, from doodling then creating Pocket Peaches and publishing the story, to working as a visual designer with the likes of Nickelodeon and Dream Works.

SCRF25: Pocket Peaches with Dora Wang

When Colleen Nelson started writing and eventually publishing her books, she had the best source of inspiration besides her creativity: her own students!

As a teacher, mother, ex-librarian and someone who just enjoys reading all around, Colleen shares her adventures as an author, why she writes and why she decided not to write YA books.

SCRF25: Writing for Middle Schoolers with Colleen Nelson

‘Eyes On’ is all about the significant happenings and events taking place in the Emirate of Sharjah. Covering the major aspects of life in the Emirate such as real estate, health, education, culture, and more. Be it a corporate exhibition or a family funfair. Be it for the professional or the child in you... Tune in before the weekend to find out how to plan your weekend in Sharjah.

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