Doha: Participants in the ‘Memory in Heritage: Fostering Cooperation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region’ conference have emphasized the critical need for increased Arab collaboration to preserve the region’s documentary heritage. The event, organized by the National Archives of Qatar (NAQ) in partnership with UNESCO, continues for its second day, drawing international and regional experts, decision-makers, and representatives from national libraries, museums, and archives across various Arab countries.
According to Qatar News Agency, several participants underscored the significance of the conference and the issues being addressed. Dr. Khalid Rashid Al Balushi, a senior cultural expert at the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, pointed out the conference’s alignment with the proposal to establish a Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region. This initiative seeks to unify and strengthen Arab efforts in preserving documentary heritage amid challenges such as climate change, conflicts, and natural disasters.
Dr. Sherif Kamel Shahin, Chairman of the Egypt National Committee for Memory of the World, highlighted the potential benefits of establishing a regional committee. He stated that such a committee would provide a comprehensive framework for training Memory of the World institutions in Arab countries, which include libraries, archives, and museums, to enhance the international registration of Arab heritage materials.
Dr. Shahin emphasized the necessity for cooperation among Arab archives, libraries, and museums, advocating for adequate training and resources to bolster their international presence. He noted the limited Arab contributions to the Memory of the World framework since 1992, which constitute only three percent of the globally registered documentary heritage materials.
Dr. Fouad Mahdaoui, Chairman of the Morocco National Committee for Memory of the World, remarked on the conference’s importance in facilitating discussions about a shared Arab record of the region’s documentary heritage. He acknowledged the role of NAQ and UNESCO in organizing the event to protect documentary heritage, offer training, and enhance Arab capacities while raising awareness of existing challenges.
Additionally, Sheikha Al Kharsan, Head of the Department of Restoration and Preservation at the Center of Research and Studies on Kuwait, stressed the necessity of integrating Arab efforts to safeguard this heritage from threats like climate change and natural disasters. She highlighted the conference’s success in promoting digitization as a means to preserve and protect Arab documentary heritage and encouraged collectors of private heritage materials to register them with official authorities for proper protection.