Muscat: The 35th Conference of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information commenced today in Muscat, under the auspices of the theme "Libraries and Arab Archives Institutions and Their Role in Promoting Digital Identity and Citizenship." The conference was inaugurated with the patronage of HH Sayyid Fahd bin Al Julanda Al Said, the Vice-Chancellor of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
This three-day event is being hosted by the Sultanate of Oman, with representation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information.
Ahmed bin Saud Al Rawahi, the Assistant Director General of Knowledge and Cultural Development at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, remarked, "The conference is occurring at a juncture where libraries and archives institutions are confronted with novel challenges alongside the vast opportunities presented by the era of digitization and swift cultural shifts."
He emphasized the critical role of libraries and archives in the preservation and dissemination of knowledge, as well as their contribution to the cultivation of cultural identity. Furthermore, they play a significant part in fostering an informed digital citizenship by offering access to information and digital services, thereby enabling individuals to enhance their skills and engage with the digital community.
The conference is dedicated to underscoring the significance of libraries and archives in supporting societal needs, developing national identity and digital citizenship, and fostering collaboration among Arab nations in this domain. It features 54 scientific papers, workshops, and dialogue sessions spread across ten sessions, all of which are centered on the critical role of libraries in bolstering national identity and addressing the challenges in building a digital environment that contributes to the strengthening of citizenship.
