Abu Dhabi: As part of its ongoing efforts to promote cultural education and enhance heritage protection, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced the launch of the International Forum on Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Development: Fostering a Culture of Integrated Protection.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event is organised in collaboration with UNESCO and involves participation from international organisations such as the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), International Council of Museums (ICOM), International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and others. It is scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on 1st and 2nd May 2025.
The forum will bring together policymakers, academics, educators, cultural heritage experts, legal professionals, and technology specialists to discuss the intersections of culture, knowledge, and heritage preservation. Discussions will address the social, economic, and historical value of cultural heritage in sustainable development, innovative approaches to educational systems and creative industries, and the use of technology in regional and global heritage protection efforts.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasized that the forum marks a significant milestone in efforts to enhance cultural education and heritage protection. He highlighted the importance of culture and knowledge in preserving cultural heritage and the role of collaboration with UNESCO and other organisations in empowering future generations.
The forum responds to recommendations from UNESCO's World Conference on Culture and Arts Education, held in Abu Dhabi in February 2024, where Ministers of Culture and Education finalised the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education. This framework supports Member States in its implementation.
DCT Abu Dhabi remains committed to the protection of cultural heritage, acknowledging its role in fostering creativity, identity, and sustainable development. Through education and awareness, the forum aims to empower communities to actively participate in preserving and promoting their cultural legacy.
The forum will feature more than 25 international experts and participating entities, including UNESCO, UNESCO National Commission of UAE, DCT Abu Dhabi officials, museum professionals, and other stakeholders. It will consist of seven sessions covering topics like the implementation of the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education, digital transformation, policy strengthening, and strategies for cultural heritage protection and recovery.
Following the forum, five education modules dedicated to UNESCO Conventions and related legal instruments will be organised in May, June, and September 2025.