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Memory Institutions from Arab Region Trained on Collection Management and Documentation Techniques
Documentary Heritage practitioners from the Arab region took part in a capacity building activity organized by UNESCO and Qatar National Library in Jordan
The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO and Qatar National Library as the IFLA Regional Preservation and Conservation PAC Center for Arab countries and the Middle East jointly organized a fourday capacity building course to support documentary heritage institutions in the Arab region
Hosted by Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in Amman Jordan the training took place from 2 5 March and was attended by 18 documentary heritage practitioners from Algeria Iraq Jordan Lebanon Libya Mauritania Morocco Oman Palestine Qatar Sudan and Yemen
The training on Collection Management and Documentation Techniques focused on best practices concerning documentation procedures such as entry exit and loans procedures labelling cataloguing and movement control It included both theoretical and practical sessions aiming to enhance the skills of the participants in managing documentation procedures manuals and setting up collection management plans to ensure safe secure and effective management in heritage collections
Anna Paolini Director of UNESCO GCC and Yemen Office said The Arab region is home to extraordinary cultural heritage The manuscripts books maps videos and archives of the region are a contribution to the history of humanity and it is therefore essential to provide documentary heritage practitioners with capacity building opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills in managing their priceless collections
Zein Taleb Boubakar a participant in the training from Library Mahjouby in Mauritania highlighted the importance of the knowledge shared during the training and its direct benefit to his library This training covered some of the important concepts and techniques of collection management and documentation which are among the top needs of our library The sessions also increased the awareness of all participants on the importance of preservation of cultural heritage in the Arab world
The training is part of an ongoing joint project between UNESCO and Qatar National Library titled Supporting Documentary Heritage Preservation in the Arab Region which plans to safeguard the rich and unique documentary heritage of the Arab region by mapping needs and challenges providing capacitybuilding opportunities and enhancing knowledge and information sharing
Stephane Ipert Conservation and Preservation Manager at the Library and Director of IFLA Regional PAC Center said We continue our important role in helping to preserve the regions heritage in an inclusive manner through providing handson training opportunities for experts in coordination with our partners These trainings have proven very useful in building local capacities and empowering the relevant institutions in the region to operate independently from external support share knowledge and enhance skills
Experts from across the Arab region will attend another handson training session in April this year which will be held in Tunisia in partnership with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property ICCROM and will focus on preventive conservation as well as crisis preparedness and first aid to documentary heritage at risk
