9th Annual Arab Report on cultural development released

Dubai - This report is a comprehensive study that discusses all aspects of culture and thought surrounding life in the Arab Gulf region.

The Arab Thought Foundation has launched its 9th Annual Arab Report on Cultural Development, which compiles extensive analyses and assessments of the initiatives, organisations and trends surrounding cultural development in the GCC region.
The report titled "Culture and Cultural Integration in the GCC: Policies, Institutions and Manifestations" was introduced at a ceremony by Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, as well as Saudi Arabia's Prince Khalid Al Faisal, president of the Arab Thought Foundation and Prof. Henri Awit, the director general of foundation.
"This report is a comprehensive study that discusses all aspects of culture and thought surrounding life in the Arab Gulf region, and focuses on culture and cultural integration within member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council," Shaikh Nahyan said.
"The report demonstrates clearly the eagerness within Gulf states to develop cultural and intellectual creativity within their communities, and we can be confident that these initiatives have been successful. Cultural development is an integral part of the development of society itself, but they are also a prerequisite for achieving sustainable economic progress."
"This report seeks to explore the prospects for a bright and welcoming future," he added.
Prince Khalid Al Faisal, for his part, noted that "a nation without culture has no civilisation."
"As such there can be no national, political or economic progress except through culture, which is a true and genuine guideline," he said.
Prince Khalid explained that the report comes as the ninth in a series of reports prepared and published by the Arab Thought Foundation every year.
Split into three sections, the report covers cultural policies and strategies, cultural institutions, and cultural creativity in the GCC. This follows on from previous themes of Arab cultural integration, which have been addressed by the Arab Thought Foundation and discussed at its annual FIKR conferences.
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