AUS hosts seminar on youth, media, cultural heritage preservation

emirates7 - The American University of Sharjah (AUS), in partnership with Anasy Media, hosted an on-campus seminar titled "Conveying Cultural Significance: The Role of Youth, Media, and Communication in Valuing and Protecting Cultural Heritage."

Held under the patronage of Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Al Nahyan, the First Extraordinary Ambassador for Culture for the Arab League's Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), the seminar emphasized the crucial role of young people in safeguarding cultural heritage.

The discussions focused on how media and communication strategies can foster a deeper appreciation for culture, particularly through youth engagement and creative storytelling methods. Topics included the role of film, museum exhibits, and cultural guides in strengthening public connections to heritage, highlighting innovative approaches to encourage community involvement and cultural preservation.

Dr. Varkki Pallathucheril, Dean of the College of Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD) at AUS, inaugurated the seminar, stressing the media's powerful ability to bridge generational gaps and celebrate cultural traditions.

Assistant Professor of Architecture and Design at CAAD, Mohammed Mamdouh, explored the region’s rich storytelling heritage, drawing attention to the longstanding influence of cultural literacy on film.

A standout moment was a presentation by Dr. Zaki Aslan, Professor of Practice at CAAD, who showcased a film from Sudan’s Community Museums Project. The film demonstrated how museums can act as dynamic centers for preserving cultural practices and fostering community cohesion.

Dhekra Ouali, Cultural Advisor to the ALECSO Cultural Ambassador, highlighted the Arab Cultural Guide Programme launched in 2022 by Sheikha Alyazia in collaboration with ALECSO and the Arab Organisation of Museums. She emphasized youth empowerment and the need to preserve cultural identity.

Ezzeldin Hajjaj, the winner of the Cultural Guide Competition for Sustainable Ideas and Projects, shared his work on developing interactive infrastructures for Arab museums. As a Research Assistant in Archaeology at the University of Khartoum, he stressed the importance of leveraging digital tools to connect communities with their heritage and promote cross-cultural understanding.

Content creator and YouTuber Haifa Beseisso discussed her experiences using social media platforms to highlight Arab culture. She shared insights from impactful workshops aimed at engaging and inspiring youth to take an active role in cultural promotion.