They called for the solidarity of institutions with individuals

Intellectuals: Promoting national identity is everyone's responsibility

  • Nahyan bin Mubarak: “Sandooq Al Watan works out of complete conviction that efforts to strengthen national identity must be a field for practical projects and social entrepreneurship initiatives.”

  • The conference sessions confirmed that culture and education are among the most important factors that contribute to preserving identity.

    Photography: Eric Arazas

picture

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sandooq Al Watan, affirmed that “His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, fully believes that caring for national identity is pride in the roots and the eternal values ​​and principles in our Arab and Islamic heritage, and that strengthening Identity is the responsibility of the whole society and that there is no fear in any way for the UAE community as long as we adhere to our faith and principles.” He pointed out that Sandooq Al Watan works out of full conviction that efforts to promote national identity should be a field for practical projects and social entrepreneurship initiatives, including Education programs, knowledge development, volunteer work, and community service.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak added, during his speech at the opening of the activities of the “Vibrant Identity” conference organized by Sandooq Al Watan yesterday morning at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, as part of the activities of Sandooq Al Watan to celebrate the 51st Union Day, that the conference focuses on the role of the Fund and its joint initiatives with community institutions, to enhance the national identity. Citizens and at the same time educate residents of the country the unique characteristics of this vibrant identity.

Preparing a conscious generation

Writers and intellectuals called for dedicating efforts to promote identity and its various elements, stressing during their interventions in the conference sessions that culture and education are among the most important factors that contribute to preserving identity and creating a conscious generation capable of keeping pace with the modern era armed with its roots and heritage.

For his part, the head of the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, Dr. Ali bin Tamim, cited the definition of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, of the identity of the Emirates during his meeting with the winners of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award in 2016, as he said: “We in the Emirates consider science and culture an integral part of It is integral to our cultural heritage and our policy to build a person and an identity that is self-confident and capable of keeping pace with the future without denying its heritage.

While the CEO of Neil and Furat Library, Salah Shabaro, during the session moderated by the journalist and poet Dr. Parwin Habib, and discussed the importance of focusing on national identity and the interest in consolidating and strengthening it, on the role of culture and cultural institutions in promoting national identity, indicating that technical development in the field of publishing and culture It is not an absolute evil, but it can be employed to perpetuate identity and present it in innovative ways.

As for the President of the Union of Arab Publishers, Muhammad Rashad, he stressed the importance of reading in creating a conscious generation, touching on the impact of the entry of international companies into the publishing industry in the Arab world and the repercussions of this matter on the creative scene and on the Arabic language, especially in light of the demand of new generations to read in English and their declining interest. In Arabic, which represents one of the most important problems threatening the Arab identity.

Proposals

In the second session, the speakers discussed the role of education in consolidating societal values ​​and preserving identity, the most important topics and (courses) through which national identity is introduced, and teaching methods.

Poet and journalist Adel Khozam put forward several proposals for the development of education in a way that contributes to the consolidation of national identity, employing arts, culture and creativity in delivering curricula to students in interactive ways such as songs and school theatre, including excerpts from Emirati poetry according to a clear and specific curriculum, as well as organizing television competitions for university students.

For his part, the digital publishing consultant, Ali Abdel Moneim, referred to the most important international experiences and advanced programs that can be used to preserve the national identity.

He explained the importance of integrating roles between educational institutions and other institutions to preserve the identity of young people.

The last session dealt with the nature of national identity and its components in light of a changing world, of which modern information and communication technology is the most important manifestation, and focused on the impact of these changes on the development of societies.

4 cooperation agreements

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sandooq Al Watan, witnessed the signing of four memorandums of understanding between the Fund and each of the Ministry of Community Development, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Higher Colleges of Technology, in the presence of the Minister of Community Development Hessa Buhumaid, and the Minister of Education Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi, and Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Abdul Rahman Al Awar.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news