(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar Museums (QM) and University College London (UCL) in Qatar have partnered to deliver a new legal framework for Qatar's cultural heritage, which will help move the country forward in realising the ambitions of the Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030).
QM, the leading cultural authority in Qatar, and UCL Qatar worked successfully together for several years, and this new partnership is set to be one of the most significant.
In the coming months, senior leaders from both institutions will draw on internal and external expertise from organisations like Unesco aimed at modernising cultural heritage laws currently protected under the Law on Antiquities, No 2, which was published in 1980.
Under the visionary guidance of QM Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the project will further protect and promote Qatar's history and culture.
By bringing the existing legal framework into line with internationally recognised standards, the new comprehensive law will strengthen Qatar's relations with global institutions, enhancing the country's reputation as a leading cultural centre in the region and internationally.
In developing the framework, QM and UCL Qatar will be examining multiple facets of heritage protection best practice, including taking a detailed look at four key areas.
This new Authority will operate within QM and entrusted to oversee the implementation and monitoring of the law, in co-ordination with other relevant government agencies.
The project was inaugurated at a two-day workshop this week in the presence of special adviser to QM Chairperson Mansoor bin Ebrahim al-Mahmoud, QM's acting CEO Ahmad al-Namla, UCL Qatar director Dr Sam Evans, representatives of Qatari government entities, Qatar National Library, Unesco, and international experts from the University of Siena and University of Geneva.
The first day focused on developing a shared definition of different types of heritage relevant to Qatar and examined recent developments in heritage protection.
The second explored the range of legal protection for heritage, such as the illicit trafficking of cultural property and protection of heritage during armed conflict.
'Qatar is an ambitious and fast developing country, one that is embracing change and progress in a way that is right for our people and respects our past. This project is aimed at modernising the existing heritage legislation, so that we can maximise the social and social-economic benefits of arts and culture, al-Namla said.
'It will ensure we continue to be a leading cultural centre, not just in the region but globally. We look forward to working with government stakeholders in the coming months and drawing on the unrivalled expertise of the UCL team, he added.
Evans said UCL was invited to Qatar in 2010 by Qatar Foundation to develop cultural heritage programmes that help realise the tangible and intangible value of the county's investment in arts and culture.
'Over the last eight years, QM has been a pivotal partner for UCL in this task. We're incredibly proud to be working with them yet again on such an important national initiative; an initiative that is paramount to protecting and promoting Qatar's heritage and delivering the QNV 2030, he added.
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