(MENAFN- Gulf Times) A recently-held high-level virtual meet underlined the key role of national libraries and cultural diplomacy in confronting a wide range of global issues and challenges amid the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
The forum, ‘Cultural Diplomacy: The Role of National Libraries in Developing Nations', organised by the Qatar National Library (QNL) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (Unitar), was attended by government leaders, foreign ministers, high commissioners and independent policy advisers as nations and educational institutions look for ways to adapt to a post-Covid setup.
'National libraries must not lag behind in their vital role of promoting constructive interaction between nations and creating opportunities for co-operation and interaction that empower our universities, research centres, scholars and intellectuals, HE the Minister of State and QNL President Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari, who convened the forum, told participants.
'Other human activities such as sports can boost cultural diplomacy to spread wider and reach bigger audiences and Qatar is a leader in this field, he said.
Highlighting the importance of cultural diplomacy, HE Dr al-Kuwari noted that it has long been complementary to and supportive of traditional diplomacy through the mutual representation of countries and the role of embassies. 'Transcending official channels, cultural diplomacy is manifested in many forms throughout human history. Let's take advantage of our time of advanced technology. Through such online meetings, we bring libraries closer together than ever before and enhance our co-operation, HE Dr al-Kuwari said.
'It is often remarked that cultural diplomacy reveals the soul of the nation, he added, citing QNL's commitment to working with partners across the world, especially those from developing nations. HE Dr al-Kuwari expressed confidence that such efforts will ultimately benefit Qatar, the region and the international research community.
QNL's huge programmes, in partnership with international institutions, will be announced at the right time, he added.
HE Dr al-Kuwari said this forum marks the start of numerous subsequent forums and conferences on the areas of co-operation between national libraries globally. 'QNL and the nation's commitment to knowledge acquisition at a time when libraries around the world are underfunded and neglected shows a desire to build bridges and facilitate understanding and knowledge sharing across the world, he pointed out.
HE Dr al-Kuwari also expressed deep sympathies with the people of Lebanon regarding the tragedy in Beirut, describing the city as 'a truly distinguished capital of culture not only in the Middle East, but across the whole world.
He stressed that the Lebanese capital has a special place in the hearts and minds of every Arab, as well as the greatest Lebanese writers, poets and artists, and their Arab brothers and sisters. 'Lebanon's intellectual freedom made it a refuge from the harshest conditions for every oppressed writer, thinker, novelist and creative artist. Doha, under its slogan ‘Arab culture is a homeland, and Doha is its capital,' shares Beirut's grief and affirms its confidence in the continuing cultural status of Beirut, he said.
HE Dr al-Kuwari cited QNL's various initiatives such as the Qatar Digital Library, one of the most important digital archives dedicated to the history and culture of the Gulf region and beyond.
A product of close collaboration with Qatar Foundation and the British Library, he said this digital library will host additional content from other partnerships with libraries, archives, and institutions in the UK, the Vatican, Italy, the US, India, Argentina and The Gambia, among others. QNL, according to HE Dr al-Kuwari added, is also doing vital digitisation projects that will have a strong impact on the region and beyond.
'Our Children's and Young Adults' Library is one of the most active areas in the Library, with a rich collection of books and materials along with a busy programme of activities and workshops. Those with visual impairments have their own rights to access knowledge, and we have a dedicated area in our Library to meet their needs, and we provide them with accessible equipment and books, he said.
'Our Library's mission and vision are to be a hub of knowledge, research and science for the community, the region and the world. Co-operating together, we can achieve this, HE Dr al-Kuwari said.
Building bridges
Other speakers, including Unitar Division for Multilateral Diplomacy director Rabih El-Haddad, who moderated the forum, echoed the same view on cultural diplomacy as a bridge between nations to build trust and in understanding the role of global organisations. 'Cultural diplomacy is the foundation of knowledge sharing, embracing cultural relations and building bridges across nations towards achieving cosmopolitan peace, he said.
Established in 1963, Unitar is a dedicated training arm of the UN system, providing innovative learning solutions to individuals, organisations and institutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action for shaping a better future.
Unitar was created to train and equip young diplomats from newly-independent UN Member States with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate through the diplomatic environment.
El Salvador Vice President Felix Ulloa discussed about his government's role in combating gang violence in El Salvador through cultural diplomacy, as well as rebuilding their national library (with the help of the Chinese government), which was damaged in an earthquake. Independent policy adviser and nation branding expert Simon Anholt highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy in forging close bilateral relations between nations saying that trade and investment would flow smoothly if a country has a positive image.
'However, I've found that there is no correlation between the amount of money spent on improving a country's image and its success — it has to earn that reputation through cultural relations and its behaviour, he said.
Kenya's Sports, Heritage and Culture Minister Dr Amina Mohamed talked about a digital application developed to share the diverse cultures of the 44 different groups that make up the nation of Kenya. 'If you are able, as a country, to create the image that you care about your culture and want to show it to the rest of the world, it becomes a very powerful tool that acts as a catalyst for acceptance across communities and across the world, she said.
The Gambia Foreign Affairs Minister Mamadou Tangara cited Africa's need for empowerment through libraries stressing that 'the importance of cultural diplomacy cannot be overemphasised. We salute the co-operation between The Gambia and Qatar to give a new lease on life to our libraries and serve as a great opportunity to help us bridge the digital divide.
Adviser to the President of Haiti and former Foreign Affairs and Worship Minister Bocchit Edmond underscored the strong relationship between Haiti and Qatar on the anniversary of Haiti's revolution, saying that 'cultural exchange between states is vital to have a better understanding between nations and between people. If we don't know each other's cultures, we cannot understand one another.
Stressing the importance of the national library in his country, Secretary-General of the Presidency of Madagascar Ramonjavelo Manambahoaka Valery Fitzgerald noted that: 'Without culture, we don't have citizens. We have worked hard through 60 years of independence, but we are still one of the poorest countries in the world. Cultural links like those with Qatar will only help to strengthen our position.
Office of the President of Somalia, Somali ambassador to Benelux and the European Union Ali Said Faqi lamented the destruction of cultural artefacts and heritage by factions, saying that fighting this destruction and illicit trafficking is vital. 'Having preventative measures in place and increasing international co-operation is also key, and we all need to be involved in this process, he added.
Cultural relations
Grenada Foreign Minister Peter David noted the importance of cultural relations, pointing out that their national library was destroyed in a hurricane, and preserving their cultural heritage became a priority. 'Developing our new public library is critical as a focal point of cultural contact, where we can come together with other countries like Qatar to help us deepen our relations with the world, David said.
About the culture of the 10 islands of his country, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Cabo Verde Harold Tavares said there is a need to share the importance of Cabo Verde's role in the world, particularly the slave trade. 'This is where the national library can play a role, particularly in the digital environment, and people can learn about the history of the islands and we can attract the world to come here.
About their national library, Solomon Islands ambassador to the EU Moses Mose said they have a five-year plan to digitise it and to work with partners such as Qatar to improve the services to their people. Highlighting the vital role of cultural diplomacy, Reader in Diplomatic and International Studies in the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy at SOAS University of London Dr Simon J Rofe said 'cultural relations underpin all of our relationships.
'We teach over 200 different languages at SOAS, but we also have a huge colonial legacy at the university which we are acutely aware of.
Humberto Gabriel Lopez La Bella, director-general of Cultural Diversity, Rights and Processes, Ministry of Culture in Paraguay, also attended the forum, which received a number of recommendations to boost co-operation and enhance interaction between libraries across the world. These include harnessing technology to enhance the digitisation of libraries; enhancing communication and interaction between libraries as part of cultural diplomacy to spread science and knowledge, and boost intercultural interaction to improve security, stability and international understanding; and using co-operation between national libraries as a means to enhance cultural and educational relations between countries.
Some of the participants also suggested exchanging information between national libraries to achieve better partnerships in ways that create constructive interaction between cultures; and adopting a more active role by national libraries for the protection and repatriation of cultural heritage, as well as exchanging information in this area.
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