Sharjah Delegation Led By Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi Strengthens Cultural And Educational Cooperation In Bahrain

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah, recently led a delegation to Bahrain. The visit aimed to forge new partnerships with Bahraini institutions, focusing on heritage preservation, cultural exchange, and educational progress. This initiative underscores Sharjah's dedication to enhancing regional and international cooperation in these fields.

The delegation included senior representatives from Sharjah-based regional offices of international organisations. Among them were Ayman Othman Al Barout, Secretary-General of the Arab Parliament for the Child; Salem Omar Salem, Director of ICESCO's Regional Office in Sharjah; and Nasser Al Darmaki, Deputy Regional Director of ICCROM-Sharjah. Their presence highlighted the importance of international collaboration.

During the three-day visit, the delegation met with key figures from Bahrain's cultural and educational sectors. These included Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa, President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities; Sara Ahmed Buhiji, CEO at Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority; Dr. Fuad Mohammed Al-Ansari, President of the University of Bahrain; and Nawal Ibrahim Al Khater, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education.

The meetings focused on exploring collaborative opportunities in cultural heritage preservation and education. Site visits to significant heritage institutions allowed the delegation to observe initiatives dedicated to safeguarding both tangible artifacts and intangible traditions that form a society’s cultural legacy.

Ayman Othman Al Barout emphasised the significance of this visit for strengthening cultural and educational partnerships among Arab institutions. He stated: "This visit marks a significant milestone in strengthening cultural and educational partnerships among Arab institutions. It stems from the Arab Child Parliament’s belief in the importance of investing in knowledge and human development from early childhood, thereby reinforcing concepts of identity and belonging among children."

He further added that these meetings aim to expand cooperation avenues in cultural and educational upbringing for Arab children. The goal is to exchange experiences that promote dialogue culture and foster creativity among future generations for active participation in sustainable development led by visionary nations.

Exploring Collaborative Opportunities

The discussions during the visit centred on potential collaborations in cultural and educational projects across the region. Strategies were formulated to address common challenges through joint initiatives and capacity-building programmes that advance sustainable development goals.

The delegation also examined Bahrain’s approaches to preserving cultural heritage. The Sharjah-based regional offices explored potential collaborative efforts to support these assets' protection and sustainability.

Enhancing Regional Presence

The Arab Child Parliament’s involvement provided an opportunity to enhance children's regional parliamentary presence. The delegation explored leading Bahraini experiences in education, culture, and youth development while discussing collaboration avenues with childhood-focused institutions.

These efforts contribute to developing impactful programs that enhance Arab children's capabilities. They empower them to express their visions within a supportive environment aligned with Sharjah’s vision for building a knowledgeable generation aware of its role in shaping future Arab nations.

Reflecting on this diplomatic engagement, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi remarked: "This visit underscored Sharjah’s ongoing commitment to fostering strategic partnerships, and we believe Bahrain plays an important role in shaping the cultural future of the Arab world. The Kingdom continues to offer exemplary models in the fields of education, cultural identity and heritage preservation."

With inputs from WAM