The number of Saudi students studying in British universities has increased by 700 percent from the year 2000 to reach 15,000 at present. Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister, noted this significant increase to illustrate the remarkable development in Saudi-UK bilateral ties in the cultural and educational fields. “The real guarantee of the durability of relations between the two Kingdoms is the active participation of the two countries' youth who are painting the future by their confident steps and mutual openness,” Prince Saud said in his speech opening the Two Kingdoms' Dialogue here Wednesday. “In this context, I look forward to the inauguration of the Youth Training Program today and I hope that this program will contribute to preparing Saudi and British youth for future cooperation where the private sector is a base,” Prince Saud said. During the forum, British young people are to outline their views to key decision-makers from Saudi Arabia and the UK, including Foreign Secretary David Miliband. Six young Britons aged between 18 and 24 and young people from Saudi Arabia will make recommendations on building trust and understanding between the two nations, and call on both governments to empower young people to take a lead. The delegation, supported by the British Youth Council (BYC), will present the outcome of the Two Kingdoms Youth Forum which took place in Riyadh and Jeddah this January. They will report on the progress of six youth-led projects established at the Youth Forum – including a festival of dialogue, a video project, and a website – with the aim of promoting intercultural dialogue and youth participation between and within the two countries.
