The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) agreed at the 40th General Conference in Paris to grant the Sharjah Heritage Institute a category 2 status under the auspices of the International Organization.
Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, Chairperson of the National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, said that this step constitutes renewed confidence from UNESCO towards the efforts of the UAE in serving the intangible cultural heritage through the preparation of qualified cadres armed with the knowledge and skills necessary for the effective management of cultural heritage, and preservation Preservation and awareness of its importance in order to drive promising generations contribute to the building of human knowledge, the development of the cultural economy and the creation of innovative ideas inspired by heritage.
Al-Kaabi explained that this new achievement will contribute to building the institutional capacities necessary to preserve the intangible cultural heritage in the Arab countries, and strengthen regional and international cooperation to protect cultural heritage, as well as establish the UAE's status as a regional center for the protection of intangible cultural heritage and build bridges of communication with all countries to maintain On this important human heritage.
Under this step, the Sharjah Heritage Institute will implement long-term and short-term capacity-building programs and activities in the field of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage based on the program developed by UNESCO for the effective implementation of the 2003 Convention and building networks between communities and individuals concerned to promote the transmission and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage, Organize public events and meetings at the regional and international levels, and strengthen international and regional networks for the exchange of information and knowledge related to the protection of intangible cultural heritage.
The UAE attaches great importance to the intangible heritage as part of the daily life of the community. Cultural institutions in the UAE are making a lot of efforts to preserve it through raising awareness among the community members about their heritage and encouraging them to preserve and promote it. Intangible Heritage The inclusion of a number of elements of human heritage on the UNESCO Lists in its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of Sharjah Heritage Institute, stated that the Sharjah Heritage Institute was established by virtue of the Emiri Decree No. 70 of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, on December 11, 2014. To be a cultural and scientific edifice, it contributes in preparing cadres of Emirati and Arab researchers trained to preserve their cultural heritage, conducting field surveys to survey, preserve and document cultural heritage, and conduct research and studies using scientific research methods.
The Sharjah Heritage Institute is one of the academic and scientific institutions that work to preserve, safeguard, document and publicize the UAE's intangible cultural heritage through a wide range of key events and cultural activities. Narrator, Sharjah Heritage Days, Sharjah Handicraft Forum, World Cultural Heritage Weeks in Sharjah, Bishara Al-Qaiz, Night of the Text, in addition to a series of seminars, lectures, and scientific and intellectual forums organized throughout the year, in order to raise awareness and education The importance of heritage preservation and safeguarding of the loss and extinction.