The National Archives enriches the educational package for teachers in a way that enhances loyalty and belonging and consolidates the national identity



The National Archives participates in enriching the training package for teachers with historical materials and documents that introduce the national identity and Emirati heritage and their relationship to social behavior, thus contributing to the transfer of these concepts and knowledge to generations. The National Archives does this based on its role in the national upbringing of generations, and its strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education and education, and to achieve the National Archives’ mission, vision and values in promoting belonging to the homeland and loyalty to the wise leadership and consolidating the national identity.

   (AGDA), which is a source for historical studies and research, and it contains hundreds of thousands of documents, historical images and multimedia of historical and cultural value related to the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.  The importance of enriching the training package for teachers with it stems from its being a digital and historical informational resource available free of charge, and teachers can rely on it to complete the curricula of history and national education because it contains historical documents pertaining to the state and the Gulf region, and students can rely on it in research related to the history of a state Emirates, and this site helps students to identify methods of relying on the historical document in historical scientific research. This website is available to all browsers via the link: https://www.agda.ae. copies of its contents.

On the other hand, the National Archives reaches out to teachers by providing the educational bag with a set of its publications full of documented historical information, which present important pages of the history of the Emirates supported by pictures, maps, documents and statistics that narrate the march of a nation and the biographies of great leaders who were able to elevate people and places to the ranks of most countries in the world. progressive development.

The National Archives provides the educational bag with a number of purposeful short national documentaries that are full of documented information about the history of the establishment of the United Arab Emirates and its ancient heritage, and the great role of the founding fathers in building the country and its renaissance, led by the founding leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God rest his soul.< br />
On the other hand, the National Archives supports the training package for teachers with the programs of its cultural and educational project (For a Promising Generation), which aims at consolidating the national identity, introducing the history and civilization of the UAE, and presenting ideal examples for generations. It should be noted that the project (For a Promising Generation) includes the following programmes: Student Historians Club, A Nation Reads, Educational Games, Educational Kit (National Emirates, March Game, Treasure Hunt Game, KidZania World, Art Workshops, National Curriculum Support. 

 The National Archives’ cooperation in enriching the training package for teachers comes within the framework of its keenness to support teachers and provide them with supportive materials, and to meet the needs and expectations of the educational field in order to improve the services provided in order to achieve the satisfaction of the beneficiaries. National for generations to encourage creativity and innovation.       

In the wake of his visit to the Center for Preservation and Restoration and its most important facilities, and his learning about the efforts to promote loyalty and belonging among generations,
Dhahi Khalfan applauded the development of the National Library and Archives and its groundbreaking role.

His Excellency Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, praised the development achieved by the National Library and Archives, and its Center for Preservation and Restoration.  He praised the adoption of the highest standards in using international technologies to transform and preserve digital data through a sustainable and high-precision process. It guarantees the collection, preservation and accessibilty of the memory of nation, and unveils important chapters of the UAE’s history and heritage. He underscored the importance of the past in shaping the present, foreseeing the future, and building strong and solid foundations leading the UAE to be at the forefront of the world.
This came during His Excellency’s visit to the Center for Preservation and Restoration, which preserves the documentary assets against damage and loss. He also paid a visit to the headquarters of the National Library and Archives, where he was received by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Alraisi, Cultural Advisor at the Presidential Diwan, Member of the Board of Directors, His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director General, and directors of departments. H.E. the Director General briefed His Excellency on the National Library and Archives, the most prominent features of its strategic plan, and the evolution it is currently witnessing.
His Excellency was enlightened about the criteria for government records transfer to the Center for Preservation and Restoration, as well as collecting and preserving them in accordance with Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 on the National Library and Archives and Library, and its executive regulations. His Excellency also visited the state-of-the-art digitization laboratory, which is concerned with digitizing archival materials using digital imaging devices and scanners. He was also enlightened about the work stages in the restoration laboratory, where experts and specialists receive records and documents to save them from damage using modern technologies. He also visited the historical documents repositories equipped with shelves and boxes with international specifications, appropriate environmental conditions, and advanced alarm systems.
H.E. Dr. Abdullah Al Raisi, Member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Organizing Committee informed His Excellency about the ICA Congress hosted by Abu Dhabi from 9-13 October, pointing out that such global archival event will take place in the Arab region and the Middle East for the first time. He added that congress will discuss contemporary and future archival issues and will be a venue for exchanging innovative and sustainable ideas that promote archival science and practices.
His Excellency visited the Emirates Library, which grants researchers, scholars and students access to its rich and specialized collections in both paper and electronic forms. It includes thousands of distinguished sources and references, university theses, rare books, and a huge number of local, Gulf, Arab and international newspapers, printed and electronic magazines and periodicals specialized in the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region.
His Excellency took a tour of the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Hall, which includes the state-of-the-art technologies and display methods. Finally, His Excellency and the delegation visited the Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Hall, where they watched a documentary about important milestones in the history of the United Arab Emirates.
During his visit to the National Library and Archives and the Center for Preservation and Restoration, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, was accompanied by His Excellency Major General Ahmed Ateeq Al Maqoudi, Director of the General Department of the Office of the Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, and several senior officers.

The National Library and Archives highlights the “Alef Sustainable Digital Education Platform” and enriches its educational media, historical document and photo content

The National Library and Archives, in cooperation with Alef platform, organized the seminar: “Alef, the Sustainable Digital Education Platform” as part of its second cultural season of 2023. The seminar reflected the extent of the successful cooperation between the two parties, as the platform supports its educational, social and national content with documented information, documentary films, and historical documents and photos from the invaluable National Library and Archives holdings and publications. The seminar was attended by a group of speakers from Alef, the strategic partner of the National Library and Archives.
Dr. Husniya Al-Ali, Educational Programs Consultant inaugurated the National Library and Archives’ seminar by tackling the currently prevailing technology which facilitated access to science and knowledge, stating that it reached its peak through the introduction of the artificial intelligence era, which educational institutions employed to perform their major tasks. She also tackled the importance of building a sustainable knowledge economy, and the (Alef) platform’s keenness to keep pace with scientific and technical development towards a more interactive and enjoyable educational process, since Alef was established with the aim of developing students’ educational experience. The NLA educational Programs Consultant also stated that this seminar is one of the fruits of a concluded memorandum of understanding between the National Library and Archives and Alef Education.
The seminar began with a speech delivered by Mr. Iyad Al-Darawsheh, Head of Global Sales and Marketing Department, who said that: “Alef is an Emirati company with a national identity derived strategy. It has performed a great role, since its inception in 2015, in accordance with the latest educational technologies, and has relentlessly worked to bridge knowledge gaps and support educational skills, through allowing students to build, master and learn basic concepts in an enjoyable manner, and has set its educational process priorities as follows: students, teachers, schools, parents, and decision-makers.
He added that the platform offered content and services come within the framework of the United Arab Emirates’ great efforts to improve the quality of education, as it keenly employs artificial intelligence in students’ assessment, defining their needed assistance areas, and in conducting evaluations to verify their understanding of lessons content, pointing out that Alef application offers its distinctive, interactive and digital products based on educational experience consistent with various international curricula and standards. It has designed its content to provide teachers supportive guidance and has also allowed parents to participate in their children’s educational process.
Ms. Laila Al Ameri, Head of Social Studies Department at Alef, delivered a speech which began by quoting His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and  Ruler of Dubai: “… Digital education is the education of the future and the future of education,” noting that the wise leadership has put developing education and its systems at the forefront of its priorities and interests. Alef, as one of the leading educational technology companies, compiled and digitized approved educational material, and explained its content preparation and the importance of the National Library and Archives’ provided documents, photos and educational media on the UAE history that enriched the Alef produced social studies content, and contributed to instilling and enhancing the values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and its wise leadership in future generations to continue the glorious march of building the nation and preserving its achievements.
Ms. Salama Ahmed, Alef Digital Product Manager, stressed that Alef continuously strives to develop its platform, and attaches great importance to students, teachers, and parents, it also employs the latest modern programs to verify students’ understanding level, noting that Alef platform continued its efforts to utilise artificial intelligence in creating the virtual educational character (Maya), who indirectly answers students’ questions, through a several steps interactive conversation to ensure that they eventually reach the right solution, thus making students its partners and knowledge-beneficiaries.
The seminar was concluded with various questions and inquiries from the participating public, followed by the National Library and Archives honouring of the seminar’s participants.

The National Library and Archives wins the Sharjah Government Communication Award – Best Innovation Category

The National Library and Archives won the Sharjah Government Communication Award (Best Innovation Category) for the third time at the tenth edition of the Award 2023. His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, presented the award to Mr. Rashid Al Falahi, Administrative Development Advisor at the Sharjah-held ceremony.
On this occasion, His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, said: “We are pleased the National Library and Archives won the Sharjah Government Communication Award in innovation category, as this prestigious award is evidence of our keen interest in new mechanisms that emphasize the importance of enhancing government communication interactive collaboration, and adopting more innovative practices as we keep abreast with the digital development era, and relentlessly work to invest this in the National Library and Archives communication with the public, and its perceiving and enhancing future government communication strategies and practices in line with sustaining the UAE National Library and Archives’ development under its wise leadership.
H.E. added: “The National Library and Archives’ winning of this award strongly promotes creativity and excellence, and is a testimony to the National Library and Archives’ ability to sustain government communication innovation and creativity, and its keenness to maintain its leadership in this vital field, which encourages it to continue its glorious march and assume its role in preserving the memory of the nation for future generations. We are pleased that our award is associated with innovation in the UAE which neither has any limit or ceiling, nor any impossible under the directives of its wise leadership towards its 2071 centenary, and its aspirations to lead the world.
His Excellency the Director General of the National Library and Archives expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Sharjah Government Communication Award’s officials, organizers, and jury.
His Excellency also extended his warmest congratulations to the National Library and Archives’ leadership for the great support and guidance that the National Library and Archives receives and which led to its excellence and innovation. H.E. also thanked the National Library and Archives’ staff members who enrich its journey and march through their work, efforts and creative and innovative ideas, and who passionately and keenly assume their great role and responsibly for the nation and the public interest.
It is noteworthy that the National Library and Archives has in 2017 won the Sharjah Government Communication Award, in Best Government Communication Strategy category, whereas in 2018, it won the Sharjah Government Communication Award, in Best Communication Plan category.

The National Library and Archives trains government entities on transferring documents and archives to the Preservation and Restoration

The National Library and Archives has organized a virtual training course entitled “Transfer of Documents from Government Entities” for government employees in order to highlight the procedures and forms applicable at the NLA for transferring documents in accordance with Federal Law No. (7) for 2008 on the National Library Archives as amended and its bylaw.
Mr. Shehab Al Hefeiti, Senior Archives Specialist, stressed that the transfer of documents from government entities begins at the third stage of the document’s life because if it is still useful, it will be transferred to the NLA’s Center for Preservation and Restoration, which is concerned with preserving and digitizing historical documents in the long-run and restoring documents that are vulnerable to damage.
The training course is part of an integrated series of multiple activities and events organized by the NLA such as workshops, training courses and lectures that are provided to government entities to spread awareness about the proper methods followed in preserving the Memory of the Nation. This will definitely have a positive impact on the methods of managing and preventing records them from loss or damage.
It is worth mentioning that the training course focused on training government employees on the NLA’s applicable procedures and forms adopted in the internal or external transfer. It shed the light on the document lifecycle, starting from its creation at the government entity until its final destination: destruction, if it is useless or preservation at the NLA to form a part of the Nation’s Memory for next generations.
Furthermore, the course tackled the key mistakes that may occur upon transferring documents and records from government entities to state-of-the-art warehouses that adopt international practices to preserve the UAE’s documentary heritage as long as possible and to be restored by excelled experts to prevent it from loss or damage.
Additionally, the course demonstrated the document’s lifecycle, transfer procedures, transfer table, legal references and transfer standards along with files transfer table.
In accordance with the abovementioned federal law, the course defined a document as every recording: written, typed, photos, drawings, sketches, audio, or others on paper, magnetic tapes, electronic media or any other means. This includes public, historical, national and private documents.
Following to defining the public document and inventory process, the course pointed out that transferrable documents are those documents, which are inactive at their creation place. It also reviewed in detail and with images the transfer tables, stages and requirements and the required detailed data as well as the audited archives sent to the CPR.

Receiving a large number of visitors and Emirati heritage enthusiasts,
The National Library and Archives’ Hunting and Equestrian platform enhances heritage among generations

The National Library and Archives’ platform at the 20th edition of Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition was visited by a large number of visitors including sheikhs and leaders, most prominently H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers’ Club, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Board of Trustees of Zayed Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and others.
The platform attracted a large turnout of hunting and equestrian enthusiasts, school students and the public to get acquainted with the Emirati heritage. Historical photos and historical and documentary films were displayed on large screens showing the hunting trips made by Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Moreover, the platform showcased the interest of Their Highnesses sheikhs in heritage sports, horse and camel races and falconry, following the example of the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his approach to development while safeguarding heritage and cultural legacy.
The visitors were impressed by the platform’s distinctive historical photos and documentaries that contain details of the hunting trips, which Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan used to go on regularly in order to teach his companions real lessons about the importance of heritage sports and the Emirati ancient heritage and how to preserve it for next generations.
On the other hand, Ms. Fatma Al Mazrouei, Head of Historical Archive Section at the NLA, participated in the conference of “Media Role in Safeguarding Falconry and Intangible Cultural Heritage”. She chaired a session on the significance of including falconry in school textbooks to get youngsters engaged in heritage apart from electronic games and to enhance awareness about heritage.
It is worth mentioning that the NLA’s services provided to researchers, archivists and the public are briefly displayed on the platform’s front. The public is also introduced to AGDA, which is one of the historical academic research resources made available online by the NLA. It contains thousands of significant and authentic historical documents on the history of the UAE and the Gulf region.
The NLA took the opportunity to invite the exhibition’s visitors to attend the ICA Congress to be organized by the NLA under the theme of “Enriching Knowledge Societies”. It is worth noting that the congress will be hosted in Abu Dhabi during the period 9-12 October, 2023. It is an international archival event that is a source of pride of the UAE’s achievements and development.

Having implemented an intensive program to promote loyalty, belonging and national values
The National Library and Archives concludes its engagements with schools in welcoming the new academic year

The National Library and Archives concluded its activities involving welcoming the new academic year (2023-2024) with Abu Dhabi schools. The program included a range of educational and recreational activities and events which received great interaction from students of all academic levels. It aimed to enhance belonging to the homeland and loyalty to its wise leadership, consolidate the values of national identity, spread happiness among students, encourage them to acquire knowledge and achieve their goals to be able to hold high the nation’s flag in the future to be a world leader concurrently with the UAE Centennial 2071.
The National Library and Archives organized various activities for students in their schools including cultural workshops on national identity, and artistic workshops focusing on national songs and drawing national items, chiefly the UAE flag. There were also reading workshops on educational booklets issued by the National Library and Archives, such as “Zayed from Challenges to Union”, “Khalifa, A Journey into the Future”, “The Two Heroic Leaders”, “Qasr Al Hosn”, and others.
The events also included lectures on the UAE Centennial 2071, Emirati values, tolerance in the UAE, and the UAE as the homeland of sustainability. Among the most prominent lectures are The Founding Fathers and their Role in Building the Union, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed: The Best Successor to the Best Predecessor.
The National Library and Archives’ activities for this year were suitable for various school stages starting from kindergarten to secondary schools.  They were broadcasted through applications directly from the schools in which they were held to multiple schools across the UAE to promote their scientific and cultural benefit.
The activities confirmed the National Library and Archives’ role as a partner in the sound national upbringing of generations, and in informing them of its role in preserving and making available the memory of the nation. These activities also contributed to instilling happiness in students’ hearts as kindergartens and early-stage schools received and appreciated the NLA’s colorful cartoon characters, Hamad, Hessa and Grandfather. They caught children’s attention and created a fun and positive school environment.

Organized by Masaryk University in the Czech Republic in early September
The National Library and Archives participates in the 10th International Conference on Languistics Studies
The National Library and Archives participates in the 10th International Conference on Linguistic Studies, which is organized by Masaryk University in the Czech Republic from on September 4th & 5th, 2023, with a research paper entitled “Linguistic and translation dilemmas facing Emirati university students in comprehending contemporary literary texts: an applied study”. This comes within the framework of the National Library and Archives’ interest in translation as a bridge between civilizations through which information contributing to the growth of knowledge and culture is expressed.
Presenting the research paper, Professor Siddiq Gohar, a translation expert at the National Library and Archives, sheds light on the linguistic dilemmas facing UAE university students, with the aim of overcoming them, and raising a generation of translators who are familiar with the different aspects of translation processes. This will enable the crossing of cultural boundaries between languages and contribute to creating a future in which the United Arab Emirates aspires to become a global reader.
The scientific paper discusses the translation of contemporary texts and learning foreign languages. It addresses the difficulties and challenges faced by students of language departments in several UAE universities in comprehending, understanding, and translating contemporary literary texts due to the stylistic and textual complexities as well as linguistic and grammatical ambiguities of the texts in most university curricula.  The study aims to find solutions to raise linguistic and analytical competence and enhance students’ critical thinking skills.
The research also discusses addressing lexical problems that are part of learning of foreign languages, as most studies have prioritized areas of research in linguistic and grammatical sciences directing less attention to lexical studies and their various entanglements. The research confirms that lexical dilemmas are among the most important obstacles to learning foreign languages. The problem lies in how to choose words and phrases for effective communication on a large scale.
The research concludes that students’ lack of sufficient knowledge of the semantic ranges of vocabulary and other lexical elements in the mother tongue or in the acquired language is to blame. It leads to serious errors that hinder the development of their language skills and their critical and creative abilities.

The National Library and Archives adds historical and heritage aspects to the Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition

The National Library and Archives participated in the 20th edition of the Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, held under the theme Sustainability and Heritage, A Reborn Aspiration. It shed light on the heritage sports and the related interest of the UAE sheikhs and leaders documenting their keenness on sustaining them. Through this participation, the National Library and Archives confirms its role in preserving the UAE’s ancient heritage.
The National Library and Archives provides the public with the opportunity to learn about important aspects of the UAE’s heritage and the wise leadership’s interest in sustaining this heritage of which the nation is proud. Thus, it provides the Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition, which has become a distinguished cultural, heritage and economic festival, with the documented historical aspect in hunting and equestrian.
The National Library and Archives enriched its platform with a plethora of historical photographs. They illustrate the UAE sheikhs and leaders’ interest in heritage sports, hunting and equestrian affairs, and depict them practicing these authentic hobbies inherited from parents and grandparents.
There are three large screens in the platform of the National Library and Archives, one of which displays documentaries on Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and his sons on falconry trips, giving ample details about this heritage sport.
The second screen informs the exhibition visitors about the Arabian Gulf Degital Archive (AGDA) and its importance as one of the sources of historical scientific research that the National Archives and Library makes available on the Internet.  AGDA offers thousands of important and original historical documents about the history of the UAE and the Gulf, in addition to many virtual exhibitions. It documents Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s achievements, especially during the early years of assuming the reins of Al Ain in 1946. It also chronicles his efforts with his fellow rulers of the Emirates in establishing the United Arab Emirates and the beginning of its renaissance and displays the most important documents related to historical events in the Gulf region.
Through the third screen, visitors will learn about the global archival event, the International Council on Archives Congress, which will be hosted by Abu Dhabi under the theme “Enriching Knowledge Societies” from 9-13 October 2023. It is the first of its kind in the Arab region and the Middle East. It will deal with contemporary and future archival topics and issues and offer the opportunity to the exchange of innovative and sustainable ideas. The subthemes that will be discussed in the ICA Congress are:  Peace and Tolerance, Emerging Technologies – Records and Electronic Solutions, Trust and Evidence, Access and Memories, and Sustainable Knowledge and Sustainable Planet, Archives and Climate Change.
The National Library and Archives provides the public with the opportunity to view its publications documenting the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region.
On a large panel, the National Library and Archives displays its most important services provided to researchers and to the archival units in archival institutions in the country. It also displays the NLA’s other services which include providing the said parties with its publications, diagnosing and organizing archives, providing advice, and considering the destruction of useless documents.

In line with the National Library and Archives’ keen interest in building upon previously achieved success and excellence, it announces its preparation for its Fourth International Translation Conference under the slogan " Pushing New Boundaries: Translation and Building Knowledge Societies"

The National Library and Archives announced its preparation for the fourth edition of its International Translation Conference, which will be held under the slogan " Pushing New Boundaries: Translation and Building Knowledge Societies", at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi from 23-24 April 2024.
 The National Library and Archives’ interest in that new edition of its International Translation conference stems from and is based on the success achieved in the three previous editions. It thus invites all parties interested in translation studies and its branches to participate in this specialized international conference.  
On this occasion, His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, said: "Preparations have begun for organizing the fourth edition of the NLA International Translation Conference, after its previously proving great success in establishing a distinguished status and enriching cultural circles with its valuable outputs, through its rich sessions, important titles and topics that attracted various translation fields and branches’ interested Researchers, Academics and Specialists, and through its Peer-reviewed books which serve as a valuable reference in such fields’ related academic and scientific research.
H.E. stressed that the National Library and Archives’ relentless efforts reflect and come in line with the UAE’s keen efforts to encourage translation movement regionally and internationally as part of an advanced developmental and cultural project aimed at knowledge localization, dissemination and exchange, and at advocating and promoting scientific research in all translation fields and specializations, to promote inter cultural and civilizational dialogue and disseminate tolerance culture and values among all world nations.
H.E. added: "Since translation is one of the future society empowering mechanisms, and its progress and development is an essential factor and element of active and efficient knowledge societies, and its effective institutions reflect and serve as an accurate measure for any nations’ progress. The “Tarjamat” project under which this international conference is organized, in addition to the UAE related research and studies’ translations, establish the National Library and Archives as a key translation beacon and an effective institution that enhances translation in knowledge societies as aspired.
H.E. said: " I am pleased to invite all parties and concerned institutions interested in various translation studies and branches in the UAE and abroad to participate in this fourth edition of the International Translation Conference, to further achieve success and excellence to build on that achieved in the three previous editions, and to achieve the conference’s desired objectives in building knowledge societies that reflect a true picture of the future."
It is noteworthy that this fourth edition of the International Translation Conference shall discuss the received work-papers within its following designated topics: translation of ancient archives such as: British, Portuguese and Indian, the role of translation in compiling dictionaries, travel literature translations, machine translation and enriching scientific and medical libraries after the Covid 19 virus, Arab and Islamic heritage translations in Europe on the eve of the Renaissance, and the challenges of literary translations: translation of Gulf literature as a model, and the translation of International literature into Arabic: The Nobel Prize as a model, translation companies and professional ethics, translation for the people of determination in the artificial intelligence era, and the role of the UAE National Library and Archives in supporting the contemporary translation movement. 
Those who wish to participate or take part in this major event, may check all related details on the National Library and Archives’ website via the following link:
 https://www.nla.ae/ar/web/guest/w/

In celebration of the Emirati Women’s Day and within the context of its Cultural Season 2023,
The National Library and Archives organizes a seminar entitled “Emirati Women: International Achievements and Aspirations”

In celebration of the Emirati Women’s Day and within the context of its Cultural Season 2023, the National Library and Archives organized a seminar entitled “Emirati Women: International Achievements and Aspirations”, given its national and social responsibility. The seminar was also conducted in recognition of women’s efforts and role in building the society as they contributed to the achievement of the NLA’s objective, preserving the Nation’s memory.
H.E. Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Director General of the NLA, opened the seminar with a speech appreciating the role of women who enriched the UAE’s cultural and historical heritage while taking care of their families and fulfilling their duties. They efficiently succeeded in embodying the vision of the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayan for building the society. He emphasized that women are an active partner in the march of development.
His Excellency said “Working side by side with men, the Emirati women proved that they are capable of achieving anything and that they are able to assume the responsibility in any position they occupy. Under the UAE’s wise leadership that empowers the Emirati women, the future holds great promises as women are engaged in examining the prospects of the future. They spare no effort in building the present; and they are a principal partner in the Nation’s march towards the next fifty years.”
The seminar, which was held at Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Hall at the NLA’s headquarters, was started by Dr. Aisha Bilkhair, Research Advisor at the NLA, who was a speaker as well. She said “The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nayan honoured women and devoted attention to their education, given his belief that this would promote the level of development. He also believed in the importance of gender balance. In accordance with his directives, H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, began the Emirati women empowerment journey, providing an excellent model for how well the Emirati women can represent the UAE. Indeed, under the UAE’s wise leadership, the Emirati women were able to prove their competence and get involved side by side with men in the march of development and giving in our homeland. They had an honorable role abroad as well. Dr. Aisha pointed out that women took part in safeguarding and transferring the heritage, values and traditions to the new generations.”
The research advisor welcomed the speakers of the seminar, which was held in celebration of the Emirati Women’s Day under the slogan “We Collaborate for Tomorrow”.
Ms. Aisha Al Romaithi, Director of Research and Advisory Department at Trends Research and Advisory Center, spoke about the journey of the Emirati women empowerment. She highlighted the stages they went through starting from foundation. The prudent leadership considers building the human without discrimination as the Nation’s real wealth. Women and men are main partners in the march of development and building pursuant to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s vision and belief in women’s ability and competence. That is why the wise leadership opens the door wide for women to perform their role in leading and implementing development programs. They have become an essential element in the empowerment stage. H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bin Mubarak “Mother of the Nation” is the greatest supporter of the Emirati women; Her Highness has introduced many initiatives and made enormous efforts to promote the status of the Emirati women and empower them.
Thanks to the sincere national efforts, the UAE ranked first regionally and 11th globally in the UN’s Gender Inequality Index. The UAE ranked at the top of the Arab and Islamic countries in the Women, Peace and Security Index for 2022.
Ms. Fawzia Mohammed Faridoon from Dubai Sports Council shed the light on the Emirati women’s role in development, giving and achievement. She indicated that the slogan of the Emirati Women’s Day emphasizes the fact that promoting sustainability requires collaboration between all society members and that the Emirati women are a strategic partner due to their main role in their families as well as their professional and societal roles. She, then, tackled their role in the field of sports and how the wise leadership supported women sports since the infrastructure of such sports requires certain type of privacy. She presented the incentive women sport awards, most prominently Sheikha Fatima Bin Mubarak’s award and mentioned names of some Emirati players who contributed to the UAE accomplishments in this vital field.
Ms. Asma Al Mammari, Professor of Islamic Studies, Society and National Identity at Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, concluded the seminar by talking about women during Sheikh Zayed era and about H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak as a model of the Emirati women. She noted that one of the main aspects of development in the UAE is the role of women in public life. This started long ago when Sheikh Zayed and the rulers of the emirates showed interest in girls’ education just like the boys’, which laid a strong foundation for women’s advancement.
She added that Sheikh Zayed’s interest in women development is reflected by his directives to establish the first women association in the UAE in 1973 under the name of Abu Dhabi Women Association, which succeeded in attracting many women. One of its main objectives was promoting literacy.
Furthermore, Al Mammari highlighted aspects of H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak’s life, including her academic qualifications, titles and achievements in terms of women education and development, which led the Emirati women to be become an impressive example to be followed.