DCT Abu Dhabi Launches International Forum On Cultural Heritage And Knowledge Development For Sustainable Education

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is set to host the International Forum on Cultural Heritage & Knowledge Development. This event, scheduled for 1st and 2nd May 2025 in Abu Dhabi, aims to promote cultural education and heritage protection. It will feature collaboration with UNESCO and other international bodies like UNIDROIT, ICOM, ICOMOS, ICCROM, and more.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated, "Organising the International Forum on Cultural Heritage & Knowledge Development in Abu Dhabi is a pivotal milestone in our journey to enhance cultural education and ensure continued efforts in heritage protection. We firmly believe that culture and knowledge form the foundation for preserving and sustaining cultural heritage."

The forum will explore how culture, knowledge, and heritage preservation intersect. It will highlight the social, economic, and historical significance of cultural heritage in sustainable development. The event will also delve into innovative methods for supporting educational systems and creative industries while leveraging technology for regional and global heritage protection.

This initiative follows recommendations from UNESCO’s World Conference on Culture and Arts Education held in February 2024 in Abu Dhabi. The conference aimed to finalise the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education initiated in March 2021. This framework supports Member States in implementing strategies that integrate culture into education.

DCT Abu Dhabi is committed to safeguarding cultural heritage as a vital component of creativity, identity, and sustainable development. By fostering education and awareness, it empowers communities to actively engage in preserving their cultural legacy. This ensures its lasting value amid changing global dynamics.

The forum's core objective is to examine cultural heritage's role as a tool for cultural education. This interdisciplinary approach allows appreciation of its historical, social, and economic value. It encourages public participation in safeguarding efforts by linking culture education with comprehensive studies on heritage protection.

Forum Sessions and Topics

The forum will feature over 25 international experts from various fields including museum professionals, archaeological site managers, customs officers, art dealers, university professors, students, civil society representatives involved in heritage protection, among others.

The intensive programme comprises seven sessions covering topics such as the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education (UFCAE), digital transformation in culture education, strengthening governance frameworks for heritage protection, strategies for protecting cultural heritage during crises or dangers, and community development's role in future cultural heritage.

Future Initiatives

Following the forum's conclusion are five educational modules focusing on UNESCO Conventions related legal instruments scheduled between May to September 2025. These modules aim at deepening understanding of legal frameworks essential for effective implementation of culture-related policies globally.

With inputs from WAM