At the conclusion of the annual forum of the Qatar National Library, stressing the need to strengthen the role of cultural diplomacy

Participants in the annual forum of Qatar National Library confirmed "Libraries in the lead – the diplomatic role of cultural institutions" The need to strengthen the diplomatic role of cultural institutions. This came at the end of the forum’s work today, in which officials and experts in the field of libraries around the world participated over two days. Director of Research Affairs and Learning Services at Qatar National Library, Abeer Al-Kuwari, said in an exclusive statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA): "Libraries are at the fore" An annual forum to enhance communication between library specialists in Qatar and the regional and global environment, pointing out that this year the forum chose the role of cultural institutions such as libraries, museums, archives, exhibitions and others in promoting cultural diplomacy, as the importance of cultural diplomacy emerged as a kind of soft power for countries, in order to bring peoples closer together. some and understand the culture of the other. She added that the forum concluded, at the end of its work, the importance of working to raise awareness through state agencies and ministries to establish a partnership between public diplomacy and cultural diplomacy. Al-Kuwari revealed that the forum chose, in its next edition for the next year, a title "Libraries and artificial intelligence" Main topic of the forum. Dr. Nabhan Al-Harassi, President of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information, said in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) at the conclusion of the forum today: The Libraries in Forefront Forum succeeded in bringing together experts in the world of libraries from around the world, to emphasize the theme of this year, which is Emphasizing the diplomatic role of cultural institutions, and how they can constitute a soft force in civilized communication between countries, noting that the presentations made during the forum contributed to raising some recommendations to promote the dissemination of Arab culture in the external community, and integration with other cultures, stressing that cultural institutions are a window For the masses can play an important role in this aspect. The second day of the forum witnessed a number of sessions, the most important of which was a symposium "Employing culture to enhance local, regional and international relations"Library specialists from Qatar and the region also gave quick presentations on libraries as a motivating force. Iman Al-Shammari from Qatar Library presented a paper entitled "National libraries as political catalysts"And Sheikha Maryam Al Thani from the Qatar University Library presented an intervention entitled "Introducing library users to the history and heritage of Qatar"While the researcher Sarah Al-Safadi’s paper came under the title "Cultural institutions: a diplomatic tool in confronting extremism, ignorance, and the problems of the relationship with the other"and the paper under the title "Brave Afghan refugees tell their stories to the Museum of Islamic Art library" by Tasneem Dari of the Museum of Islamic Art, as well as topics on mechanisms for retrieving cultural heritage property and the diplomatic role of the Palestinian National Library. The forum was opened yesterday, Sunday, with a speech by His Excellency Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, in which he said: "There is no time when the need to consolidate the bonds of cultural diplomacy between the peoples of the world increases from our present time, in light of the ups and downs that humanity is going through today resulting from pandemics, diseases, natural disasters, or wars and conflicts, which has generated among peoples an intense and strong desire to search for rapprochement. More than searching for difference, pointing out that in the midst of this, the essential role played by cultural institutions in being bridges of communication, love and acquaintance between the peoples of the world emerges. The head of the Qatar Library also spoke about the manifestations of cultural diplomacy represented in sports during Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup, where the Qatari culture represented in museums, galleries, historical facilities and libraries, and even local customs and traditions, was the acquaintance card that Qatar offers to its visitors. During his speech, Al-Kuwari reviewed the efforts of the Qatar National Library and its diplomatic initiatives as an ambassador of Arab culture in international cultural halls and forums, and its use of cultural diplomacy tools to build bridges of communication with other cultural institutions, whether in the Arab world or globally, the most important of which was the library’s exchange of gifting books with libraries. National Arab and the embassies of friendly and brotherly countries in Doha, collecting fragments of the treasures of Arab and Islamic heritage from Arabic and Islamic manuscripts, and relocating them digitally, pointing to the success of the library in gaining the confidence of the / IFLA / center by choosing it to play the role of the / IFLA / regional center for preserving heritage materials, preserving It in the Arab countries and the Middle East. He pointed out that the forum "Libraries are at the fore" The annual has become a role model, and an honorable image of the diplomatic role of libraries, and is now providing "space" Collaboratively to mobilize efforts and expertise so that libraries and other cultural institutions play their true role as ambassadors of culture, history and identity.