DUBAI - A high-level official delegation will visit Berlin this week to hold discussions with leading cultural organisations aimed at exploring closer cultural and intellectual cooperation between the UAE and Germany.
This was announced yesterday by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation
The visit comes in line with directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, following his meeting with a large group of German writers and intellectuals on the sidelines of his state visit to Berlin last month.
Headed by Yasser Hareb, Vice-President for Culture, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, the delegation will focus on strengthening Arab-European cultural dialogue to increase awareness in the West about the Arab and Islamic culture.
The Foundation’s delegation will meet with officials of the East-West Association, a leading non-profit organisation aimed at facilitating German-Arab cultural ties.
The officials will also meet with leading German personalities in art and culture to brief them on the Foundation’s vision and objectives.
They will discuss UAE-German cooperation in organising and hosting cultural exchange programmes, encouraging writers and stimulating joint scientific research. Commenting on the visit, Hareb said: “The Foundation is following the clear guidelines framed by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed aimed at enhancing the Arab world’s knowledge capabilities.
Seeking to accelerate knowledge transfer to the region, the Foundation follows a multi-track strategy that ensures knowledge flow originates from genuine sources.
“Historic relations between the UAE and Germany have always been conducive to closer cultural collaboration. Our long-term objective is to leverage this cooperation to pave the way for extensive Arab-European dialogue.
“This will be a prelude to a new era of mutual understanding that will stamp out misconceptions about the Arab culture.”
Hareb added: “Building a strong network of strategic partners across the world will bolster the Foundation’s efforts towards accelerating knowledge transfer to the region. We are very keen to open two-way knowledge flow channels to spread awareness around the world about the true nature of the Arab and Islamic civilisations and the noble values they stand for.”
Launched with an endowment of Dh37 billion, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation aims to develop future leaders and create a knowledge-based society in the region through key components of intellectual capital, culture, entrepreneurship and philanthropy.