In continuation of the cultural role led by the Sharjah Book Authority to enhance the global presence of the Arabic language, the Arab Cultural Institute at the Catholic University of Milan has embarked on a new phase to strengthen Arabic within Italy's social fabric. This was achieved by signing a cooperation agreement with the Municipality of Milan to launch a specialized program in teaching the Arabic language and its culture to staff at Milan's Reception Center, one of the city's key institutions serving migrants and refugees. The Arab Cultural Institute is a partnership between the Sharjah Book Authority and the Catholic University of Milan, launched in 2024 to support Arabic language education in Europe and expand cultural and intellectual cooperation between the Arab world and European academic institutions. This agreement responds to the growing need within the Municipality of Milan to linguistically and culturally train its workforce in the reception and integration sector. This aims to enhance their ability to communicate with Arabic speakers and improve the quality of services provided to them, given the increasing number of beneficiaries of Arab origin. Under the agreement, the institute will organize beginner-level Arabic language courses, alongside introductory programs in Arab culture, targeted at staff of Milan's Reception Center and the personnel within the city's Reception and Integration network who daily deal with migrants and refugees of Arab origin. The first courses are scheduled to begin this month, with registration numbers exceeding expectations, reflecting a growing interest in learning Arabic and fostering a deeper cultural understanding of the Arab presence in Italian society and public service institutions.
