The International Centre for Capacity Building in the Field of Cultural Heritage participates in a UNESCO seminar.
As part of international efforts aimed at safeguarding intangible cultural heritage and enhancing its sustainability during times of crisis, the International Centre for Capacity Building in Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Arab States (Category II Centre in Sharjah) participated in the sixth virtual seminar ضمن UNESCO’s webinar series titled “Reimagining the Future: Preparedness and Readiness for Cultural Emergencies in the Gulf States.” The seminar was organized by the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen in Doha, with the participation of a distinguished group of experts and specialists in the cultural sector.
Cultural Readiness to Address Crises
The seminar aimed to strengthen cultural preparedness in addressing emergency challenges that may affect the continuity of cultural work. The intervention highlighted the current state of the cultural sector amid ongoing crises and explored ways to build a flexible institutional system capable of adaptation and continuity. Participants emphasized that recent experiences have shown that cultural activity does not cease during crises; rather, it reshapes its tools and pathways to ensure sustainability.
Proactive Planning as the Foundation of Sustainability
In this context, H.E. Aisha Rashid Al-Hesan Al-Shamsi, Director of the International Centre for Capacity Building in Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Arab States, affirmed that intangible cultural heritage possesses a renewed capacity to adapt to various circumstances. She noted that building institutional readiness is grounded in proactive planning and in developing human, technical, and knowledge-based capacities.
She added that institutions adopting clear visions and well-studied future plans are better equipped to preserve their cultural role and ensure the continuity of their mission amid diverse challenges.
Effective Partnerships and Exchange of Expertise
Al-Hesan stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships and exchanging expertise at both regional and international levels, given their role in supporting efforts to safeguard and protect intangible cultural heritage. She affirmed that adopting innovative and sustainable approaches contributes to transmitting this heritage to future generations and enhances its presence on the global cultural stage.