Participants of the Libraries Lead Forum - Qatar National Library's (QNL) annual forum for library professionals, stressed the need to strengthen the diplomatic role of cultural institutions during the conclusion of the forum's sessions yesterday.
Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Director of Research and Learning Services at QNL Abeer Al Kuwari said that the forum is an annual occasion that enhances communication amongst library specialists in Qatar and beyond, pointing out that the forum chose the theme of cultural institutions' role, namely libraries, museums, archives, and exhibitions, in promoting cultural diplomacy, due to the emergence of cultural diplomacy as a type of soft power for states, in bringing closer world peoples and raising their multicultural understanding.
She added that the forum concluded with the recommendation of raising awareness amongst state institutions and ministries of the importance of establishing a partnership between public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy.
Al Kuwari revealed that the forum chose next year's theme to be on libraries and Artificial Intelligence.
President of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information Dr Nabhan Al Harrasi told QNA at the conclusion of the forum yesterday that the Libraries Lead forum succeeded in bringing together library experts from around the world, to emphasise this year's theme on the diplomatic role of cultural institutions, which could serve as soft power in civilizational interactions amongst states, noting that the presentations made during the Forum raised some recommendations to promote the dissemination of the Arab culture abroad, and its integration with other cultures, stressing cultural institutions' role in this regard, given that they are a window for the masses.
The second day of the forum saw a number of sessions, the most important of which was a seminar on "using culture to strengthen local, regional and international Relations'. Librarians from Qatar and the region gave quick presentations on libraries as a motivating force. QNL's Eman Al-Shammari presented a paper entitled 'national libraries as political catalysts', and Sheikha Maryam Al-Thani from Qatar University Library presented an intervention entitled "introducing library users to the history and heritage of Qatar".
Sarah Al Safadi presented a research paper under the title "cultural institutions... a diplomatic tool in confronting extremism, ignorance and problems of relationship with the other", and Tasneem Dari of the Museum of Islamic Art presented a paper entitled "refugees, brave Afghans tell their stories to the library of the Museum of Islamic Art'. Topics on the mechanisms of restitution of cultural heritage property and the diplomatic role of the Palestinian National Library were also discussed.
In an inaugural speech on Sunday, HE Minister of State and President of QNL Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari said that there is an increasing need to strengthen the bonds of cultural diplomacy among the peoples of the world amid the fluctuations humanity is going through due to pandemics, diseases, natural disasters, wars and conflicts. This generated an intense and strong desire among peoples to search for rapprochement more than searching for difference, His Excellency said, noting that the essential role played by cultural institutions in being bridges of communication emerges.
His Excellency highlighted the manifestations of cultural diplomacy represented in sports during Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup, with the Qatari culture having been represented in museums, galleries, historical facilities, libraries, and local customs and traditions.
Al Kuwari discussed the QNL's efforts and its diplomatic initiatives as an ambassador of Arab culture in international cultural forums, and its use of cultural diplomacy tools to build bridges of communication with other cultural institutions, whether in the Arab world or globally, the most important of which was the QNL's exchange of gifting books with national Arab libraries and the embassies of friendly and brotherly countries in Doha, collecting Arab and Islamic manuscripts and relocating them digitally. His Excellency pointed to the success of the library in gaining the confidence of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) to play the role of the IFLA regional center for preserving heritage materials, preserving it in the Arab countries and the Middle East.
The annual "Libraries Lead" forum has become a role model and an honorable image of the diplomatic role of libraries, and has become a collaborative space to mobilise efforts and expertise so that libraries and other cultural institutions play their true role as ambassadors of culture, history and identity, His Excellency said.
