* QNL, IFLA hosts discussion with prominent global organisations
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Preservation And Conservation (PAC) Centre at Qatar National Library (QNL) recently hosted a discussion with prominent global organisations and well-known experts to explore ways to protect and preserve Afghanistan’s heritage items.
The session was organised to help co-ordinate efforts by all entities working together to secure Afghanistan’s documentary heritage that is under threat of trafficking or theft following the recent events in the country.
Representatives from various entities, including IFLA, the PAC Centre at QNL, Interpol’s Works of Art, the International Council on Archives, Athar-project, the Smithsonian Institution, International Council of Museum, Prince Claus Fund, ALIPH - International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas, International Council of Museums and Sites, the Sri Lanka PAC Centre in charge of South Asia, the Middle East Librarians Association in USA, the Norwegian Institute in Rome and the National Library of China among others, participated in the discussion. Furthermore, ALIPH and Prince Claus Fund have been at the forefront of heritage preservation in Afghanistan over the past few years and have also worked with QNL to rehabilitate the cultural space in Beirut following the blast in 2020.
The meeting addressed the state of documentary cultural heritage in Afghanistan, concerns and priorities, past projects on cultural heritage, trafficking of documentary cultural heritage, and possible actions to safeguard Afghanistan’s heritage.
Stephane J Ipert, director, Distinctive Collections, QNL said, “We are deeply concerned by the recent events that impacted our colleagues, their families and the people of Afghanistan. We are aware of Afghanistan’s rich documentary cultural heritage and believe it will be devastating to lose any of its heritage items due to the ongoing events. Hence, we partnered with IFLA to conduct an urgent meeting with associated entities around the world to find solutions and explore strategies that could safeguard the country’s heritage against theft and trafficking.”
The meeting aimed to co-ordinate with stakeholders concerned with documentary cultural heritage, both on the ground and representing international organisations, to discuss the situation, share information and explore possible points of action. One of the primary concerns revolved around the National Archives of Afghanistan’s website being shut down, resulting in the loss of already scarce digitized materials. Following the meeting, a small task force of experts and institutions concerned with counter trafficking and theft, have already started working on an action plan and next steps.
All participants were driven by a common purpose to safeguard Afghanistan’s heritage and discussed critical solutions that could help them achieve their goals. These solutions included identifying high-risk and fragile documents, cataloguing strategies, closely monitoring social media platforms, and digitising heritage material. Educating and training land border control and customs officers emerged as a critical, effective solution identified by all participants.
The session was organised to help co-ordinate efforts by all entities working together to secure Afghanistan’s documentary heritage that is under threat of trafficking or theft following the recent events in the country.
Representatives from various entities, including IFLA, the PAC Centre at QNL, Interpol’s Works of Art, the International Council on Archives, Athar-project, the Smithsonian Institution, International Council of Museum, Prince Claus Fund, ALIPH - International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas, International Council of Museums and Sites, the Sri Lanka PAC Centre in charge of South Asia, the Middle East Librarians Association in USA, the Norwegian Institute in Rome and the National Library of China among others, participated in the discussion. Furthermore, ALIPH and Prince Claus Fund have been at the forefront of heritage preservation in Afghanistan over the past few years and have also worked with QNL to rehabilitate the cultural space in Beirut following the blast in 2020.
The meeting addressed the state of documentary cultural heritage in Afghanistan, concerns and priorities, past projects on cultural heritage, trafficking of documentary cultural heritage, and possible actions to safeguard Afghanistan’s heritage.
Stephane J Ipert, director, Distinctive Collections, QNL said, “We are deeply concerned by the recent events that impacted our colleagues, their families and the people of Afghanistan. We are aware of Afghanistan’s rich documentary cultural heritage and believe it will be devastating to lose any of its heritage items due to the ongoing events. Hence, we partnered with IFLA to conduct an urgent meeting with associated entities around the world to find solutions and explore strategies that could safeguard the country’s heritage against theft and trafficking.”
The meeting aimed to co-ordinate with stakeholders concerned with documentary cultural heritage, both on the ground and representing international organisations, to discuss the situation, share information and explore possible points of action. One of the primary concerns revolved around the National Archives of Afghanistan’s website being shut down, resulting in the loss of already scarce digitized materials. Following the meeting, a small task force of experts and institutions concerned with counter trafficking and theft, have already started working on an action plan and next steps.
All participants were driven by a common purpose to safeguard Afghanistan’s heritage and discussed critical solutions that could help them achieve their goals. These solutions included identifying high-risk and fragile documents, cataloguing strategies, closely monitoring social media platforms, and digitising heritage material. Educating and training land border control and customs officers emerged as a critical, effective solution identified by all participants.