As part of its participation in the 13th edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2024), the Department of Government Relations (DGR) in Sharjah hosted two discussions underlining the importance of cultural exchange and instilling diplomatic values in children. The entity also collaborated with the Alliance Française and the King Sejong Institute’s  Sharjah chapters to conduct two workshops.

Culture as a bridge for development

The first discussion, titled “Cultural Connections: Strengthening International Bonds,” featured H.E. Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, alongside H.E. Antoine Delcourt, Ambassador of Belgium to the UAE, and H.E. Alison Milton, Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE.

“Being worldly is an important skill. Inviting countries to showcase their culture, such as during Sharjah Heritage Week, helps build bridges that connect Sharjah with the world. Although there are many similarities between nations and peoples, it’s also a privilege to be culturally curious, discovering what’s different between cultures and then celebrating it,” Al Qasimi explained.

Sheikh Fahim used the examples of recent diplomatic efforts, with a delegation to Italy and other cities. He announced an upcoming exhibition of Roman artefacts from Sharjah, which will be displayed in the Colosseum in Rome. He concluded by expressing a desire to see more business and cultural ambassadors from the UAE abroad, forming strong connections with people worldwide.

H.E. Antoine Delcourt emphasised the importance of flexibility and adaptability within culture, particularly in a federal country like Belgium, saying: “Even within our own borders, there are cross-cultural practices; Belgium has three official languages with strong French and Dutch connections. Having an open understanding and appreciation for different cultures can strengthen connections between people beyond culture itself, leading to additional opportunities within trade and investment.”

H.E. Alison Milton, Ireland’s first female ambassador to the UAE, noted that cultural diplomacy extends beyond art, music, and heritage to include aspects of sports, business and investment. “I believe cross-cultural connection is about what unites us, but we also have incredible differences, and these differences can also be tools to inspire curiosity and dialogue, and ultimately a positive thing,” she asserted.

Arab Parliament for the Child

In collaboration with the Arab Children’s Parliament, DGR organised a panel discussion titled “Arab Parliament for the Child: An Innovative Communication Platform,” reaffirming the importance of instilling diplomatic values in children and forming bridges between the young people of Arab nations.

This session featured young members of the Arab Parliament for the Child, including Vice-Presidents Hebat Allah Al-Ilmiyya and Yassine Okasha from the Kingdom of Morocco, Shukran Hussein from the Republic of Egypt, Elyas Almani from the Sultanate of Oman, and Sara Yousif Saleh from the Kingdom of Bahrain. The discussion highlighted the parliament’s contribution to dialogue and active engagement among the Arab youth, enabling them to express their opinions and contribute their ideas on issues affecting them.

The Arab Parliament for the Child, which was established in 2018 with support from DGR, is headquartered in Sharjah and aims to give representation to the youth across all Arab countries, with 64 members representing 16 member states.

Discussing the parliament’s innovative communication strategies and its impact on enhancing awareness and comprehension of children’s roles in community development, the members outlined their commitment to education, knowledge-based development and children’s rights.  They also explored future directions for the parliament, including expanding its reach and deepening its engagement with children across the Arab region aligning with their broader goals of nurturing multinational communication and empowering the youth.

Sharjah: A hub of cultures

Within DGR’s dedicated pavilion, an engaging workshop titled “French Words of Arabic Origin – Civilisational Interaction” was held in collaboration with Alliance Française. It focused on the linguistic connections between Arabic and French, the historical significance of French words derived from Arabic, and the role of language in strengthening cultural ties.

The second workshop, “Korean Heritage in Sharjah,” was organised in partnership with the King Sejong Institute which opened its regional headquarters in Sharjah earlier this year with support from DGR. It discussed the history of cultural exchange between the two nations and the importance of Sharjah hosting the first regional headquarters of the King Sejong Institute in the UAE and the Middle East. Additionally, the workshop offered IGCF 2024 visitors the opportunity to learn more about the Korean written language and the honoured practice of calligraphy.