Thursday, May 18, 2023 02:58 PM
Under the title “The Role of Museums in the Effective Implementation of UNESCO Cultural Conventions,” the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in cooperation with the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo and the International Council of Museums – Egypt (Icom Egypt), held a forum at the Prince Muhammad Ali Palace Museum in Manial, to raise awareness of the importance of museums and their role in developing a culture of harmony between Different cultures, on the occasion of the celebration of International Museums Day, which falls on May 18 every year since 1977.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr. Nuria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, Dr. Osama Abdel Wareth, President of the International Council of Museums – Egypt, Professor Moamen Othman, Head of Museums Sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the ambassadors of Belgium and Sri Lanka in Cairo, and representatives of the countries of Croatia, Guinea and the Kingdom. Hashemite Jordanian, and a number of leaders of the ministry, UNESCO, AECOM and archaeologists.
This year, the forum adopts an important topic, which is “sustainability and quality of life” by enhancing awareness of the role of museums in facing environmental challenges and the need for sustainability, and enhancing awareness of the value of culture and heritage as vital elements for sustainable development and quality of life. It also discusses the challenges and capabilities available to museums, as well as the link between museum practice and conventions. UNESCO in the field of culture, through the effective implementation of the recommendations of UNESCO in this field.
Dr. Mostafa Waziri, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, delivered a speech at the opening session of the forum, beginning with a welcome to the guests, expressing his happiness to participate in this day, which is a great opportunity to mobilize a group of specialists in the field of museums and create a rich and open dialogue in order to activate the role of museums in Egyptian and international community.
During his speech, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities emphasized the role of museums and their ability to change the world as they are an important means of cultural and civilizational exchange between peoples. Represented in the opening of many new museums, including the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and the museums of Sharm El-Sheikh and Kafr El-Sheikh, and the development of a number of others, such as the Egyptian Museum in Liberation and the Museum of Islamic Art, as well as the development of availability, operation and insurance systems inside museums, indicating that the development of a number of museums has been completed. Others that are expected to open soon, including the Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria, the Imhotep Museum in Saqqara, and the Palace of Muhammad Ali in Shubra.
In his speech, Moamen Othman, head of the museums sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, expressed his pride in being responsible for the museums sector at the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in light of the great role that museums play in protecting and documenting cultural and historical heritage.
He stressed the need to highlight the development of the concept of sustainability and its relationship to the quality of life, as the goal of sustainable development is to enable people around the world to meet their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations, adding that all museums play a role in shaping and creating A sustainable future, through museum practices such as educational and awareness programmes, exhibitions, community outreach and research. Since 2020, International Museum Day has supported a set of sustainable development goals, up to 2023, when it will focus on the goal of global health, quality of life, climate goal, and the goal of life on Earth.
As confirmed by Dr. Nuria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, said that the forum succeeded in bringing together specialists in national museums, professional organizations and stakeholders to enhance the exchange of information and communication and deepen thinking about the role and contribution of museums in the effective implementation of UNESCO cultural conventions and recommendations that paved the way for the full integration of cultural conventions as a global public good in Post-2030 Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.
Dr. Osama Abdel-Warith indicated that museums are a focal point for society and an integral part of global communication, as they provide platforms for translating the needs and opinions of local communities into global content.
