Algerian Culture Minister highlights importance of joint Arab efforts in protecting intangible cultural heritage
Milika Ben Douda highlights the role of institutional cooperation with ASC and UNESCO in preserving Arab heritage during a conference in Algiers
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Algiers, 28 September (KUNA) – Algerian Minister of Culture Milka Ben Douda highlighted today, Monday, the importance of joint Arab efforts in protecting and preserving intangible cultural heritage, promoting it, and enhancing its presence in the global cultural arena, as well as developing joint projects and initiatives between Arab states and international organizations.
Speaking during the opening of the International Conference on Promoting Heritage Elements Inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which was organized by the Ministry of Culture and Arts in cooperation with the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science (ALECSO) at the Culture Palace (Mufdi Zakaria), Ben Douda stated that the meeting “constitutes a new step in consolidating joint Arab action to safeguard and promote our intangible cultural heritage.”
She emphasized that “Algeria believes that safeguarding and sustaining Arab heritage requires institutional cooperation that shares knowledge and elevates national experiences to the horizon of joint Arab action, in coordination with ALECSO and in collaboration with UNESCO.” She added that the conference aims “to examine policies, practices, and promotional mechanisms, and to open broader fields of cooperation in education, media, research, cultural economics, and international relations.”
In this context, she expressed “Algeria’s readiness to continue working with sister Arab states within the framework of cooperation with ALECSO to support joint initiatives, exchange expertise and experiences, and encourage projects that enhance the presence of Arab heritage in international forums.”
For his part, Hamid Noufeli, Director of the Culture Department at ALECSO, affirmed that “this international conference is an opportunity to discuss how to build joint Arab strategies for promoting heritage elements inscribed on the Representative List, exchange expertise and successful experiences, develop research and documentation tools, and encourage scientific studies.”
The two-day conference includes lectures, seminars, exhibitions, and live workshops showcasing intangible cultural heritage in Algeria and the Arab world. (End) M.R. / R.J.
