The United Nations has awarded Dr. Elham Saeed Harasani the title of Ambassador for Humanitarian Services for her decade-long research and work with children and international organizations. Harasani, who earned the title ahead of seven other nominees, was one of the first women in the Middle East to specialize in child psychology and treatment through self-expression techniques, setting up the first program for child skills development and orphans in the Kingdom. She also founded the first cultural program for blind children in the Middle East and the Gifted Special Needs Children Program. “Working with international organizations requires constant efforts and in more than one language to follow clear work plans and set goals to achieve pioneer accomplishments,” Harasani said. “Each day brings greater experience to help me reach leading positions to serve my religion, my country and the King.” The success of any Saudi, she added, reflects on the “pioneering role of Saudi Arabia” and “boosts its international status”. “That is evident in the achievements of Thuraiya Obaid, Ibtisam Al-Bassam, and Hayat Sendi, and we should all strive together to achieve what Islam promotes and what serves the country,” she said. The United Nations is not the first to recognize Harsani's achievements. In 2003, Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa, praised her work with children in a letter to Prince Abdul Majeed Bin Abdul Aziz, and in 2004 she was given the title Humanity Ambassador by former Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Al-Hariri. The same year, Prince Abdul Majeed presented her with an Ambassador of Humanity shield for her work with gifted special needs children, and the two following years she was honored with the same title by both French president Jack Chirac and Prince Charles of Great Britain. Harasani, who was awarded the same title by the University of California in 2007 after her theater work for the Al-Janadriya Festival, is also an award
