Qatar  Social Work, in collaboration with Dreama Orphan Care Center (one of its affiliated centers), UNESCO, and Ashtar Theatre, concluded the workshop titled “Training Toolkit for Developing Psychological and Social Specialists in Socio-Psychological Theatre Techniques.” This initiative is part of the “Art Lab” project, which aims to empower social and psychological specialists to use theatre as a tool for expression, empowerment, and social integration.

The closing ceremony, held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, in Doha, marked the official launch of the training toolkit. This toolkit is the result of successful field and practical experiences and reflects the innovative artistic tools developed to integrate the arts into social work frameworks.

In his speech, Mr. Rashid Mohammed Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, emphasized that the launch of the toolkit comes in response to the social and psychological challenges facing communities. He stressed the need for new tools to foster positive engagement and empower social work professionals.

He noted that the toolkit represents a qualitative leap in social training by merging art with social work, reinforcing the role of human creativity in advancing sustainable community development. He added that the project exemplifies a unique model of collaboration between the Foundation, UNESCO, Ashtar Theatre, and Dreama Center, reflecting the Foundation’s openness to regional and international expertise in empowering social groups. The project will contribute to building the capacities of social center staff and enhancing their skills in using theatre as an effective interactive tool.

Sheikha Najla bint Ahmed Al Thani, Executive Director of Dreama Orphan Care Center, affirmed that the partnership between the Qatar Foundation for Social Work, UNESCO, Ashtar Theatre, and Dreama represents a distinguished model for developing the skills of social and psychological specialists. She emphasized that empowering orphans begins with empowering their caregivers. This collaboration reflects a commitment to working according to international standards to achieve sustainable social impact and provide a model for orphan care and empowerment.

Mr. Salah Khaled, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, expressed pride in this collaboration, describing it as a significant step in supporting social care through the arts. He noted that this is the first time in the Gulf region that drama and theatre therapy have been institutionally employed to enhance social well-being.

He explained that the training guide’s proposed activities foster creativity and emotional intelligence among specialists, enabling them to support beneficiaries—including orphans, youth, women, and the elderly—with sensitivity, confidence, and renewed hope. He emphasized that the deeper message of the Art Lab is to empower social care providers so they, in turn, can empower others, making theatre a powerful tool for rebuilding trust and achieving social justice.

Ms. Iman Aoun, CEO of Ashtar Theatre, highlighted the professional and practical importance of the program for psychological and social specialists. She noted its role in empowering them and equipping them with new life and professional skills that complement their work with beneficiaries. She expressed hope that the training would continue to expand, allowing specialists to gain broader benefits and more techniques in their field, with potential for future scaling and wider implementation

The “Art Lab” project is one of the pioneering initiatives launched by the Qatar Foundation for Social Work in collaboration with UNESCO and Ashtar Theatre since 2024. It aims to enhance the role of the arts in social work and develop sustainable educational and training tools that elevate the capabilities of social work professionals.

The ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of applying the toolkit’s outcomes within the Foundation’s affiliated centers, ensuring lasting positive impact and integration of social work with artistic creativity in service of humanity and society.