One of the focal points of King Abdullah’s reign has been his insistence that Saudis learn to listen to each other. To that end, he established a series of National Dialogues—actually starting them when he was still Crown Prince. He has set up a Center for National Dialogue and is now launching a program to educate trainers in the methods of teaching dialogue. Saudi Gazette reports:

King launches dialogue trainers forum today

RIYADH – King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, is scheduled to launch today a forum for certified trainers in the promotion of the culture of dialogue.

The event, at King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue, is part of its program to promote tolerance of other people’s opinions.

The forum will be held in the presence of the Grand Mufti and the head of the Shoura Council. The speakers include ministers and other authorities.

The King’s support “has given the national dialogue great intellectual and moral value,” said Faisal Bin Abdul Rahman Bin Mu’ammar, Secretary General of the Center, who described the scheme as “representing an intellectual message on which all the various facets of Saudi society unite”.
…

The immediate goals of the program are to:

• Promote respect for other peoples’ opinions
• Promote tolerance and moderation
• Support the expression of views by which the culture of dialogue is consecrated fully and responsibly.

The article doesn’t make clear exactly whom the trainers will be teaching, nor in what venues, unfortunately. I hope a future piece clears that up.