Qatar National Library and UNITAR host a virtual forum on Cultural Diplomacy and the Role of National Libraries in Developing Nations.
National libraries have the potential to play a crucial role in promoting constructive interaction and sharing knowledge between nations, said H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, while speaking at a virtual forum recently.
Qatar National Library and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) held the forum on ‘Cultural Diplomacy: The Role of National Libraries in Developing Nations,’ and brought together government leaders, foreign ministers, high commissioners and independent policy advisers.
“National libraries must not lag behind in their vital role of promoting constructive interaction between nations and creating opportunities for cooperation and interaction that empower our universities, research centres, scholars and intellectuals,” said H E Al Kuwari.
“Other human activities, such as sports, can boost cultural diplomacy to spread wider and reach bigger audiences, and Qatar is a leader in this field,” he added.
H E Al Kuwari explained that cultural diplomacy has long been complementary to, and supportive of, traditional diplomacy through the mutual representation of countries and the role of embassies.
The Minister of State also expressed his sympathies regarding the recent explosion in Beirut. “Beirut is a truly distinguished capital of culture not only in the Middle East, but across the whole world,” he said,
“Lebanon’s intellectual freedom made it a refuge from the harshest conditions for every oppressed writer, thinker, novelist and creative artist. Doha, under its slogan ‘Arab culture is a homeland, and Doha is its capital,’ shares Beirut’s grief and affirms its confidence in the continuing cultural status of Beirut,” he said.
He also explained the Qatar National Library’s mission and vision to be a hub of knowledge, research and science for the community, the region and the world. He also discussed the important activities and initiatives such as Qatar Digital Library.
“It’s often remarked that cultural diplomacy reveals the soul of the nation. Qatar National Library’s commitment to working with partners across the world, especially those from developing nations, will ultimately benefit the nation of Qatar, the region and the international research community,” said H E Al Kuwari.
“Qatar National Library, and the nation’s commitment to knowledge acquisition, at a time when libraries around the world are underfunded and neglected, shows a desire to build bridges and facilitate understanding and knowledge sharing across the world,” he said.
The forum was moderated by Rabih El Haddad, Director of the UNITAR Division for Multilateral Diplomacy and the panel included Félix Ulloa, Vice President of El Salvador; Dr. Amina Mohamed, Minister of Sports, Heritage and Culture of Kenya; Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gambia; Bocchit Edmond, Adviser to the President of Haiti and former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Ramonjavelo Manambahoaka Valery Fitzgerald, Secretary General of the Presidency of Madagascar; Ali Said Faqi, Office of the President of Somalia, Somali Ambassador to Benelux and the European Union; H E Peter David, Foreign Minister of Grenada and several others.
The panel discussed the vital role of national libraries and create a global knowledge sharing opportunity in the post COVID-19 world.
“We have a five-year plan to digitise our national library, and to work with partners such as Qatar to improve the services to our people,” said Moses Mose, Solomon Islands Ambassador to the EU, discussing about his country’s national library.
While, Peter David, Foreign Minister of Grenada, focused on the new national library project on of his country and said, “For us, cultural relations are so important. Our national library was destroyed in a hurricane, and preserving our cultural heritage became a priority. Developing our new public library is critical as a focal point of cultural contact, where we can come together with other countries like Qatar to help us deepen our relations with the world.”
The Forum concluded with some recommendations to boost cooperation and enhance interaction between libraries across the world, including harnessing technology to enhance the digitization of libraries; enhancing communication and interaction between libraries as part of cultural diplomacy to spread science and knowledge, and using cooperation between national libraries as a means to enhance cultural and educational relations between countries.
