Dubai Culture Supports the Ship for World Youth 2017 Global Assembly as Cultural Partner

Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), the Emirate’s dedicated entity for culture arts and heritage, is supporting the Ship for World Youth Global Assembly as the Cultural Partner for the initiative, which is operated by the Government of Japan and designed to promote cultural exchange among young people from across the world. The assembly will take place in the UAE for the first time this year and run from 4th to 11th November 2017 under the theme ‘Smart Youth Leaders’.

Saeed Al Nabouda, Acting Director General of Dubai Culture, commented: “We are honoured to be the Cultural Partner for the Ship for World Youth Global Assembly and to welcome the visiting delegation to the UAE. By supporting this initiative, we are translating the UAE leadership’s vision for supporting the youth sector, unleashing their potential, and putting their capacities and aspirations toward building a better future for our country and the world. The rich agenda we have organised will also reinforce our country’s position and consolidate its values of respect and appreciation among all participants as outlined in the ‘UAE Soft Power Strategy’ launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.”

During the initiative, 150 participants from 25 countries will be taken on a variety of cultural visits organised by Dubai Culture, beginning at the Etihad Museum with an official opening ceremony and a tour of the museum on 5th November. The museum will serve as a starting point for promoting the concept of cultural exchange among different nations, welcoming attendees to learn the inspiring story of the UAE’s birth, celebrate the determined and patriotic efforts of the Founding Fathers, and discover the power of unity during challenging times. 

Dubai Culture will also be taking participants on a comprehensive ‘Cultural Tour’ that encompasses the Spice Souk, the Old Dubai Souk, Dubai Creek’s Frontage, Dubai Museum and Al Fahidi Historical Neighrbourhood, giving them a multi-faceted insight into Dubai’s heritage and early history. At Al Fahidi Historical Neighrbourhood, participants will learn about specific aspects of the traditional lifestyle that was prevalent in Dubai from the mid 19th century until the 1970s, at specialised museums and galleries including the Coins Museum, Coffee Museum, Majlis Gallery and Architectural Heritage Society, among others. 

The itinerary will continue the next day with a trip to Alserkal Avenue, the region's foremost arts hub, where renowned Emirati artists Abdul Qader Al Raiss will host a painting workshop and participants will also attend a second workshop on how to create traditional decorations on gypsum. The activity has been designed to immerse participants in Dubai’s thriving artistic and creative landscape, and will be followed by institutional visits to entities including Dubai Culture and Smart Dubai, and a desert safari dinner that will treat them to a glimpse of the UAE’s rich desert heritage and history. 

Saeed Al Nabouda concluded: “International initiatives like this are crucial for further establishing Dubai’s reputation as a hub for diverse cultural exchange, both regionally and globally, and for sharing our national identity with the world. We praise Japan for the world-leading example it has set in how to preserve and celebrate its national identity on the global stage – an endeavour that underpins everything we do at Dubai Culture.”

Dubai Culture aims to enhance Dubai’s cultural scene and draw attention to the Emirate’s rich heritage with a variety of initiatives that take place throughout the year. The Authority’s mandate is to build bridges of constructive dialogue between different civilisations and cultures through enriching initiatives that benefit the Emirate’s citizens, residents and visitors.