A Cooperation FrameworkA Cooperation Framework

ebahgat@mcit.gov.egwww.cultnat.org

www.eternalegypt.org www.Globalegyptianmuseum.org

by

Memory of the Arab World

UNESCWA – Beirut, 5-6 Sept.2007

Eglal BahgatSenior Deputy Director

Center for Documentation of Cultural & Natural Heritage (CULTNAT)

العالم ” ذاكرة“العربى

June 2006:June 2006:

League of Arab States: Approval of League of Arab States: Approval of the Council for Arab Ministers of ICTthe Council for Arab Ministers of ICT March 2007:March 2007:

Approval of the Strategic Committee Approval of the Strategic Committee for the realization of the Arab ICT for the realization of the Arab ICT Strategy, for CultNat to be the Strategy, for CultNat to be the project coordinatorproject coordinator

Approval of ProjectApproval of Project

A Common HeritageA Common HeritageA Collective MemoryA Collective Memory

A Common heritage unites the Arab World and A Common heritage unites the Arab World and strengthens their long-established relationship and strengthens their long-established relationship and achievements, and provides them with the pride of a achievements, and provides them with the pride of a glorious memory.glorious memory.

These collective memories cultivate and foster our These collective memories cultivate and foster our

common identity.common identity.

They become the bonding force that ties this region They become the bonding force that ties this region together and the foundation for establishing a together and the foundation for establishing a

prosperous future in a fast developing worldprosperous future in a fast developing world

ObjectivesObjectives

To ensure a joint Arab cooperation -To ensure a joint Arab cooperation -Partnership in the field of documentation Partnership in the field of documentation and dissemination of our collective and dissemination of our collective heritageheritage

To make available a reliable source of To make available a reliable source of information electronically using the latest information electronically using the latest IT technologies thus adding to the Arabic IT technologies thus adding to the Arabic e-content on the internete-content on the internet

ObjectivesObjectives

To create a net work of expertise in To create a net work of expertise in heritage related fields from within heritage related fields from within the Arab worldthe Arab world

To identify outstanding examples of To identify outstanding examples of the utilization of information the utilization of information technologies in safeguarding Arab technologies in safeguarding Arab Heritage within the Arab WorldHeritage within the Arab World

ObjectivesObjectives

Create an awareness of all branches of Create an awareness of all branches of Heritage (tangible and intangible) and Heritage (tangible and intangible) and assess the impact of utilizing IT in relation assess the impact of utilizing IT in relation to the field of Heritage on job creation, to the field of Heritage on job creation, empowerment and learningempowerment and learning

To build human and technical capacities To build human and technical capacities supported by the utilization of information supported by the utilization of information technology technology

The PartnersThe Partners Representation from all Representation from all The Arab countriesThe Arab countries Academia, institutions and non-governmental Academia, institutions and non-governmental

organizations (NGOs) within the Arab countriesorganizations (NGOs) within the Arab countries Individuals & organizations sharing similar or Individuals & organizations sharing similar or

complementary goals complementary goals The Regional & International OrganizationsThe Regional & International Organizations

Center

Iraq

Jordan

Kuwait

Bahrain

Lebanon Saudi Arabia

Palestine

Qatar

Syria

UAE

Yemen

OmanEgypt

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

THEPORTAL

Memory of the Arab World

The Arab League &

UNESCOISESCO

ITU

ALESCO

The Implementing Partners – sub centers

NGO’s, Regional & International Organization Coordination Units (UNESCO, ISESCO..)

Project Structure

Memory of theMemory of the

Arab WorldArab World

ProjectProject

“Memory of the Arab World” Portal (Arabic + English)

•Tangible HeritageTangible Heritage•Intangible HeritageIntangible Heritage•Panoramas of Arab citiesPanoramas of Arab cities•Joint timelines Joint timelines •DatabasesDatabases

Production : Books , CD-ROM’s , publications

Deliverables

GoalGoal

Its goal is to provide the Arab World with a Its goal is to provide the Arab World with a common comprehensive channel (portal) common comprehensive channel (portal) that documents, preserves, disseminate, that documents, preserves, disseminate, and safeguards our collective cultural and safeguards our collective cultural HeritageHeritage

Thus it will contribute in highlighting our Thus it will contribute in highlighting our shared heritage and reinforce the Arab shared heritage and reinforce the Arab image through the use of the most image through the use of the most advanced set of information and advanced set of information and communications technologies communications technologies

Project StatusProject Status First Workshop in Cairo, April 2007:First Workshop in Cairo, April 2007:

90 Participants90 Participants12 Countries12 Countries13 Organizations13 Organizations

Funding from:Funding from:MCIT and BA for the first yearMCIT and BA for the first year

El-Sharja to host the first preparatory El-Sharja to host the first preparatory meeting in October 2007meeting in October 2007

Project Status (cont’d)Project Status (cont’d)

Tarym Centre for Documentation, Tarym Centre for Documentation, Damascus, Syria hosts the second Damascus, Syria hosts the second workshop in April 2008.workshop in April 2008.

Master Plan: in progressMaster Plan: in progress

Coordinating Unit established a Coordinating Unit established a CultNatCultNat

InvitationInvitation

Entities from All Arab Entities from All Arab Countries are invited to Countries are invited to

become partnersbecome partners

The Memory of the Arab The Memory of the Arab World World

Towards a Regional Towards a Regional Knowledge Park for HeritageKnowledge Park for Heritage