The Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science (ALECSO), in cooperation with the Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science and Qatar National Library, held a lecture on June 10 on virtual reality to preserve heritage and monuments in the Arab world. The lecture explored other new technologies, such as drones to record and monitor archaeological sites and digital twinning to preserve the originals in digital form, as well as the use of blockchain technology to protect them from looting and piracy. It was noted that these technologies also give new dimensions to people’s interaction with exhibitions, creating vibrant and engaging digital displays, and even through artificial intelligence to create smart museums. Participants underlined the importance of regional cooperation to explore new technology to protect Arab heritage, as well as of acquiring skills to address attacks on heritage.
With the generous support of the Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud Foundation of Saudi Arabia, UNESCO has launched a project on Creativity in the Arab Region with a special focus on youth-led creativity. The great potential of cultural resources in the Arab region, its strong youth perspectives and demography, provides very fertile ground for expanding job opportunities, while empowering youth voices and participation to advance social and economic development. In the first phase of the project, young artists from the Arab Region share their perspectives through their creative art, providing their visions about their environment, including in the challenging context of the prevailing health crisis.