In a significant development for global cultural preservation, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, recently attended the signing of a pivotal agreement at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris. This agreement, backed by a generous $6 million grant from the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), aims to digitise UNESCO’s extensive global archive, ensuring the safeguarding and accessibility of invaluable cultural and educational materials for future generations.
The Agreement and Its Significance
The formal agreement was signed by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA, and Jennifer Linkins, Assistant Director-General for Administration and Management at UNESCO. The initiative is set to span five years, focusing on the digitisation of over 2.5 million pages of documents, 165,000 rare photographs, and thousands of hours of audio and video recordings. These materials chronicle nearly eight decades of UNESCO’s work, encompassing major international meetings, treaties, educational initiatives, and heritage preservation efforts.
Currently, only about 5% of UNESCO’s archival materials have been digitised, leaving a vast majority vulnerable to deterioration due to age and environmental factors. This project aims to bridge that gap, providing permanent digital access to these critical resources and ensuring their preservation for scholarly research, educational purposes, and cultural enrichment worldwide.
The Role of the Sharjah Book Authority
The SBA’s involvement underscores Sharjah’s commitment to cultural preservation and knowledge dissemination. Under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the SBA has been instrumental in positioning Sharjah as a global hub for literature and cultural exchange. The authority oversees initiatives such as the Sharjah International Book Fair and the Sharjah Publishing City, the world’s first free trade zone dedicated to the publishing industry.
Sheikha Bodour expressed that this collaboration with UNESCO aligns with Sharjah’s longstanding belief in equitable access to knowledge and the moral responsibility to protect and share humanity’s collective memory. She highlighted that the digitisation project would not only safeguard UNESCO’s archives but also facilitate international collaboration, fostering a future that respects the past and offers future generations the opportunity to engage with history and learn from its lessons.
Sheikh Sultan’s Visit to UNESCO Headquarters
During his visit, Sheikh Sultan toured the UNESCO Library and Archives, where he was briefed on the institution’s key roles in supporting global education, science, and culture. He observed several aging historical documents, some of which had been affected by deteriorating conditions, emphasizing the urgency of the digitisation effort. His Highness’s presence at the signing ceremony and his engagement with UNESCO’s archival materials reflect Sharjah’s proactive role in global cultural preservation.
Global Impact and Future Prospects
This initiative not only highlights Sharjah’s leadership in cultural preservation but also reinforces the UAE’s position as a proactive participant in global heritage conservation. By investing in the digitisation of UNESCO’s archives, Sharjah is contributing to the protection of humanity’s shared history and ensuring that these resources remain accessible to researchers, educators, and the public.
The project is expected to enhance the accessibility of UNESCO’s vast repository, facilitating research and education in various fields, including history, international relations, and cultural studies. It also sets a precedent for future collaborations between international organisations and regional authorities in the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage.
Conclusion
The $6 million agreement to digitise UNESCO’s global archives marks a milestone in international efforts to preserve and share humanity’s collective knowledge. Through this collaboration, Sharjah reaffirms its dedication to cultural preservation and its role as a leader in global heritage conservation. As the project progresses, it promises to make UNESCO’s invaluable resources more accessible, ensuring that future generations can learn from and build upon the rich tapestry of human history.
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