Just in:
Sharpening the Focus: Sharjah Health Department Refines Evaluation Criteria for “Healthy Schools Programme” // Sharjah Chamber Breaks Ground on Final Expansion with New HQ Pact // Emirati Aid Reaches Ukraine as Food Shortages Bite // German Job Market Resilience Bodes Well for Economic Recovery // US reiterates concern over Kejriwal arrest, Cong accounts // Emirates Post Speeds Up Deliveries for GCC with Special Day // Universal Language for Healthcare: General Authority Embraces Global Coding System // AIA Hong Kong Wins More Than 20 Accolades at MPF Ratings MPF Awards, BENCHMARK MPF of The Year Awards and Bloomberg Businessweek Top Fund Awards // Infineon and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering jointly develop ship electrification technology // Renewables Surge Sets Record, But Global Equity Lags // 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Will Be The Costliest One Till Now In The Whole World // Konica Minolta is named ASEAN 2023 Market Leader in Colour Light and Mid Digital Production Printers // Global Audience to Witness Thrill of Dubai World Cup // Lisboeta Macau’s world first LINE FRIENDS PRESENTS CASA DE AMIGO and BROWN & FRIENDS CAFE & BISTRO has officially opened // Samsung Partners National Heritage Board to Bring a Slice of Singapore’s Cultural Heritage to Samsung The Frame TV // First-Ever Fortune Innovation Forum Draws Top Global Leaders to Hong Kong, Promoting Agendas On Collective Cross-Sector Advancement // Hope for Respite as UAE Endorses UN Plea for Gaza Truce // Meta Earth Official Website Launch: The Pioneer Explorer in the Modular Public Blockchain Domain // Sunshine’s Debut Features Leave Tech World Scratching Its Head // French Leaders Gather for Interfaith Iftar Dinner //
HomeMiddle EastUAE cultural development a keystone in economic growth, says Sheikh Nahyan

UAE cultural development a keystone in economic growth, says Sheikh Nahyan

1481466001 AR 161219851

ABU DHABI // Cultural development is an integral part of progress in any society, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, told a conference in the capital.

Sheikh Nahyan said on Sunday that culture was a pre-requisite for achieving successful and sustainable economic growth.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We strive to preserve our heritage, values and principles as well as all aspects of culture in the UAE and we seek to establish a dialogue with other civilisations in order for us to continue to move forward,” the minister said at the launch of the ninth Annual Arab Report on Cultural Development by the Arab Thought Foundation.

“I am optimistic that this report will be an important step to document the cultural movement in the region. It is also an important step to reach an understanding and recognise the importance of cultural development, for through cultural development, we can achieve comprehensive development in society.”

The report, titled Culture and Cultural Integration in the GCC: Policies, Institutions and Manifestations, is the result of research and studies by Gulf experts and academics.

Sheikh Nahyan said it clearly demonstrated the eagerness within Gulf states to develop cultural and intellectual creativity.

“We, in the Gulf, have all the capabilities and requirements to achieve comprehensive cultural development,” he said. “Realising the importance of culture requires thought and reflection into the importance of promoting wisdom and the ability to continue on the path of excellence and innovation.

“The report, which seeks to explore the prospects for a bright and welcoming future, is an important step to highlight that successful cultural development in the Gulf requires concerted efforts between all relevant sectors.”

The report’s first chapter includes GCC cultural policies and strategies. The second tackles Gulf cultural institutions and the third covers GCC cultural creativity.

“It is a pioneering step that clarifies the importance of cultural openness in the world in this age of globalisation and technical development and in light of current circumstances,” Sheikh Nahyan said.

“Regional countries must collaborate. The mutual relationship between education and culture is very strong, for the success of education is closely linked to the level of education and cultural development that is acquired through continuous learning.”

Nations cannot grow and develop without culture, said Prince Khaled Al Faisal of Saudi Arabia, the governor of Mecca and the foundation’s chairman.

“This report presents two important models for integration in the Arab world and these can be a source of pride for any Arab. Integration continues to renew itself in the Gulf and it should be replicated in the rest of the Arab world.”

Experts said most studies tended to focus on oil resources and the Gulf’s economic situation as well as security and stability but rarely sought to highlight its cultural movements.

“The report reviews cultural development and strategy in the GCC and looks to explore the adopted policies in each of the six countries and future trends,” said Dr Henri Awit, the foundation’s director general.

“It sheds light on regulations, legislation and joint activities and also focuses on achievements and challenges while highlighting the role of culture in enhancing integration between Gulf countries.”

The role of cultural institutions in preserving local Gulf heritage is also underlined as well as the region’s creativity.

“Cinema, poetry, novels, theatre and visual arts, showcase aspects of the Gulf cultural renaissance,” he said. “One of the best aspects of this report is that it has succeeded in highlighting the specificities of every GCC country.”

The event took place ahead of the Fikr15 conference, the second forum themed under Arab Integration, which kicks off in Abu Dhabi tomorrow. Both contribute to the foundation’s goals of bringing unity to the Arab world through cultural and intellectual initiatives and programmes.

[email protected]

The National

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT
Just in:
Ingdan Announces 2023 Annual Results // Experience Ultimate Shopping Freedom at 4.4 Shopee Spree: Don’t Worry, Shop Shopee! // 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Will Be The Costliest One Till Now In The Whole World // Global Audience to Witness Thrill of Dubai World Cup // Emirates Post Speeds Up Deliveries for GCC with Special Day // Konica Minolta is named ASEAN 2023 Market Leader in Colour Light and Mid Digital Production Printers // U.S. Compliance Takes Center Stage at OKX Following Industry Jitters // Infineon and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering jointly develop ship electrification technology // Sunshine’s Debut Features Leave Tech World Scratching Its Head // US reiterates concern over Kejriwal arrest, Cong accounts // Renewables Surge Sets Record, But Global Equity Lags // Hope for Respite as UAE Endorses UN Plea for Gaza Truce // Arvind Kejriwal Was Used By BJP In 2011 Movement To Take On The Congress // TUMI Hosts Global Launch Event in Singapore to Unveil Women’s Asra Collection and Announce Global Ambassador, Mun Ka Young // No running of govt from jail, says Delhi Lt Governor // Meta Earth Official Website Launch: The Pioneer Explorer in the Modular Public Blockchain Domain // German Job Market Resilience Bodes Well for Economic Recovery // Ajman Celebrates Conclusion of Ramadan Activities with Grand Ceremony // Samsung Partners National Heritage Board to Bring a Slice of Singapore’s Cultural Heritage to Samsung The Frame TV // New Nylon Constant Torque Hinge From Southco Provides Position Control In A Compact Package //