DCT Abu Dhabi Unveils Agenda For Seventh Culture Summit Focusing On Humanity And Global Governance

The Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has unveiled the main panels and sessions for the seventh Culture Summit Abu Dhabi. This global forum will occur from 27th to 29th April 2025 at Manarat Al Saadiyat. The summit, themed "Culture for Humanity and Beyond," will gather thought leaders, policymakers, artists, and innovators to explore culture's role alongside technology and governance.

Over three days, the summit will foster discussions on rethinking human emancipation through keynotes, panels, artistic talks, and workshops. Participants aim to find common ground for a sustainable future by generating fresh perspectives on tomorrow's challenges. The event seeks to replace outdated thinking with innovative ideas that embrace cultural diversity.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, expressed pride in hosting this summit again. He stated, "We at DCT Abu Dhabi are proud to once again bring together our local and international partners across culture, design, technology, and more." He highlighted the importance of exploring new perspectives on creativity during technological shifts.

The summit will feature keynote addresses from notable figures like Mo Gawdat, Susan Buck-Morss, Iyad Rahwan, Sir William Sargent, Glenn Lowry, and Koyo Kouoh. These speakers will delve into various topics related to culture's transformative power in society. Their insights aim to inspire attendees to consider culture's role in driving positive change.

Rita Aoun from DCT Abu Dhabi noted that the summit has become a leading platform for cultural exchange. She said the theme reflects their mission beyond preserving cultural assets. It focuses on using culture to foster progress and mutual understanding among communities worldwide.

Creative Conversations

The event will also host creative conversations with award-winning talents like Thomas Heatherwick, Colleen Atwood, Refik Anadol, Ralph Nauta, Ayoung Kim, Maja Hoffmann, Hashim Sarkis, Sir John Akomfrah, Awan Amkpa, Thebe Magugu, and Mariam Issoufou. These discussions aim to explore how creativity intersects with technology and governance.

Sessions addressing artificial intelligence's impact on creativity include topics like "AI Revolution: Redefining Creativity in the Age of Machines" and "The Rise of AI in Creative Industries." These discussions will examine AI's role in reshaping creative processes across various fields.

Panel Discussions

On the opening day, a panel titled "Bridging the Cultural Gap: The Role of Culture in Shaping Global Governance" will take place. This discussion aligns with the sub-theme "Reshaping the Cultural Landscape." Speakers include Jenny Shipley from New Zealand; Iveta Radičová from Slovakia; and Cassam Uteem from Mauritius. They will discuss integrating culture into global strategies.

Other sessions include "A Conversation: About Jazz, Humanity and Beyond" featuring Herbie Hancock and John Ridding. Another session is "Creative Expression at a Time of Disruption," moderated by Mina Al-Oraibi with speakers like Paolo Petrocelli and Lama Hourani. Additionally, a session titled "From Ruins to Resilience: A New Era of Heritage Rehabilitation" is co-organised with the UAE Ministry of Culture.

Global Partnerships

The summit collaborates with global partners such as UNESCO; Economist Impact; Google; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; Recording Academy; Image Nation Abu Dhabi; IFACCA; Cultural Foundation; Club de Madrid; Abrahamic Family House; Louvre Abu Dhabi; Berklee Abu Dhabi; Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy; Institut Français; Institut du Monde Arabe; Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington; Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi; teamLab; Maktaba; House of Artisans; Herbie Hancock Jazz Institute.

This year's Culture Summit Abu Dhabi promises insightful dialogues on culture's evolving role amid technological advancements. By bringing together diverse voices from around the world under one roof at Manarat Al Saadiyat next April 2025—participants can expect meaningful exchanges that inspire future cultural policies globally while fostering mutual understanding among nations through shared experiences rooted deeply within our collective humanity itself!

With inputs from WAM