The National Library and Archives Organizes Activities to Enrich Knowledge Societies
On oral history, libraries and cultural affairs,
The National Library and Archives Organizes Activities to Enrich Knowledge Societies
The National Library and Archives has concluded the preparations for the Emirates International Oral History Conference. It has also undertaken the requisite preparations for the Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO) Meeting, in conjunction with the Dubai International Library Conference 2024 (DILC), hosted by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library. Additionally, it has been engaged in preparations for a workshop focusing on the role of the National Library and Archives within the cultural system.
These activities align with the NLA’s vision and mission, which aim to inspire, enable and enrich knowledge societies while preserving documentary heritage.
On November 11, 2024, the NLA is organizing the third edition of the Emirates International Oral History Conference at its headquarters, under the theme “Their Memory Our History: Methods of Sustainability and Knowledge Preservation in Oral History”. The conference is anticipated to bring together participants from eleven different countries around the world. It aims to establish strategic partnership that promotes integration and cooperation with Arab and international institutions and entities. Further, it offers new opportunities for communication, exchanging expertise and learning from successful experiences. It will also delve into the exploration of the most recent technologies, practices, publications, and methodologies in the realm of oral history, alongside effective preservation techniques. The conference topics are “Pearls: Enigmatic, Eclectic and Alluring”, “Traditional Music: National Identity and Heritage”, “Intergenerational Learning and Exchanges” and “Sustainability Trends: A View from Three Countries”.
On the other hand, the NLA welcomes participants to join the 30th Conference of Directors of National Libraries in Asia and Oceania (CDNLAO), which will be held on November 16th at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai. The conference will address a variety of subjects, such as the contribution of libraries to sustainable development objectives, deliberations and presentations from three unique national libraries globally, and an examination of their distinguished experiences. Furthermore, the conference will focus on green libraries, environmental sustainability, and the role of libraries in promoting societal knowledge on sustainability.
As part of its activities to enrich knowledge societies, the NLA is set to organize a workshop titled “The Role of the National Library and Archives in the Cultural System”, on November 19th. The NLA held a series of preparatory meetings with relevant entities ahead of the workshop which aims to develop final charters for joint cultural initiatives. It is expected to discuss the relationship between documentary heritage and cultural heritage, focus on the cultural and societal role of the NLA, and align the NLA’s role with the vision of the Ministry of Culture, as well as the UAE Centennial 2071.
The workshop will explore and identify opportunities for collaboration with cultural, educational, and societal institutions across the nation. Furthermore, it will scrutinize potential partnerships with individuals who have a keen interest in history, heritage, culture, art, and literature, encompassing artists, writers, authors, and narrators. The objective is to leverage the experiences, resources, platforms, and knowledge provided by these institutions to enhance the cultural sector of the country. Moreover, the workshop seeks to bolster societal engagement in the preservation of cultural heritage through the development of cultural initiatives that underscore the NLA’s pivotal role, adhering to specific criteria. It will also promote innovation in cultural heritage projects and discuss the challenges of implementing sustainable cultural initiatives.
