(MENAFN- The Peninsula) fazeena saleem |
The Peninsula
Doha: Peaceful co-existence cannot be achieved without culture; culture brings nations together. Deep culture is inevitable in co-existence. It is important now than ever before with what is happening around the world, said Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, H E Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, while addressing 'Libraries Lead' forum.
He said that culture, in all its dimensions, brings peoples and nations closer together and formal and informal cultural institutions have an indispensable role in shaping a country's cultural identity and serving as ambassadors of communication and acquaintance among the peoples of the world.
Highlighting on the role of the Library Al Kawari said,“Qatar National Library is an ambassador of Arab culture, knowledge, science, and creativity, and it will continue to be an ambassador of its culture, identity, language, and heritage.”
Cultural diplomacy plays an important role in strengthening Qatar's global position, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani said yesterday.
H E Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN addressing the 'Libraries Lead' forum yesterday.
“The role of cultural diplomacy is an effective and essential tool and it works to keep pace with the soft powers,” Sheikha Alya said, while delivering a video message at the opening session of second edition of the 'Libraries Lead' organised by the Qatar National Library (QNL).
The theme of 'Libraries Lead' explores how galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (GLAMs) leverage soft power to promote diplomacy locally and between nations.
The 'Libraries Lead' forum aims to highlight the importance of cultural ambassadorship in GLAM in promoting the exchange of ideas, values, and traditions to strengthen relationships and promote cooperation locally and internationally.
“Through my experience during my diplomatic work, I firmly believe in the role of cultural diplomacy as an effective and essential tool for developing knowledge in the country, and making our influential position in the international scene,” said Sheikha Alya.
“Cultural diplomacy works to keep pace with the soft powers, whose influence and effectiveness are often greater than other powers. Cultural diplomacy plays a fundamental role in strengthening the state's strength and its international position, in addition to the role played by development, educational and media institutions, as tools of soft and influential forces in the national context of the State of Qatar,” she added.
Sheikha Alya emphasised that Qatar believes in the integration of traditional and cultural diplomacy and strengthening ties with international cultural entities. According to her Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup last November was the greatest example of integration between well-known traditional diplomacy and cultural sport diplomacy.
“I call for further strengthening of cultural diplomacy of Qatar, in addition to collaborations between the institutions and initiatives of cultural diplomacy; together with traditional and cultural diplomacy to enhance and accumulate the soft power of the State of Qatar and achieve its vital and strategic national goals and objectives in global space,” she said.
Speakers and members from national and university libraries, museums, and cultural centres around the world participate in the two day 'Libraries Lead' event to share their cultural diplomacy initiatives.
“The Library Leads Forum is really meant for library and information specialists; our topic is on GLAM - galleries, libraries, archives, and museums. The cultural sector plays a very important role in cultural diplomacy and we want to highlight and advocate the importance of libraries in the society,” Executive Director at QNL, Tan Huism told The Peninsula.