State Department promotes open access to educational materials in Arabic

The State Department on Monday launched the Open Book Project, an initiative designed to promote and create open-access Arabic language educational resources. State’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs is working with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization to create open access educational resources with a specific focus on science and technology oriented materials, according to a fact sheet released Friday.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday that the initiative was launching at a time when “young people’s hunger for knowledge, opportunity and good jobs” has never been greater, especially in the countries of the Arab Spring. She said State was primed to find common ground with foreign governments and students looking for economic advancement. “We see partnerships like this as one chance to bridge [divides],” Clinton said.