DUBAI, 14 April 2008 — Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, will open a two-day conference to promote the country’s history and culture in Abu Dhabi tomorrow.
More than 30 high-level speakers from the government and the private sector will discuss some of the key issues affecting the Emirati identity and seek ways to strengthen respect for national identity and culture, particularly among the country’s youth.
Running alongside the conference at Emirates Palace will be an art exhibition showcasing Arab culture through the works of UAE artists and an exhibition highlighting initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development (MCYCD).
Federal ministers, members of the Federal National Council, officials of all seven emirates and representatives of the private sector will attend the forum.
“The National Identity Conference will bring together leading figures from many different fields to share their ideas about how to promote national identity and culture, and how different government ministries and private sector organizations can work together toward this end,” said Belal Al-Bodour, executive manager for Arts and Culture.
Dr. Anwar Gargash, minister of state for the Federal National Council, will act as moderator at the opening session on “The Challenges to National Identity.” Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan will speak.
Najla Al-Awar, secretary-general of the UAE Cabinet and board member of Dubai Women’s Club, will moderate the second session on education. The session will commence with a speech by Hanif Hassan, minister of education, on “Educational Insights in the UAE.”
The third session on political experience and participation will be moderated by Aida Al-Azdi, deputy director general for community services, and will include speakers such as Abdul Aziz Ghurair and author Abdul Ghaffar Hussein.
