SHARJAH,4th November, 2024 (WAM) – The Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) on Monday inaugurated the SAWA Conference 2024, marking ten years of the SAWA programme—a pioneering initiative that has significantly contributed to cross-cultural museum learning and professional development in the Middle East and Europe.
The conference is organised by SMA in collaboration with the Strategic Partner, Crescent Group, and the Platinum Partner the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority and is supported by the German Consulate in Dubai.
Held from November 4th to 5th, 2024 at the Sharjah Archaeology Museum, the conference is a landmark event for museum professionals and cultural enthusiasts.
The opening ceremony featured keynote speeches from Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Executive Chairman of the Department of Government Relations, and Sybille Pfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai, alongside Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director General of SMA, and key cultural figures such as Prof. Dr. Stefan Weber, Director of the Museum for Islamic Art (Pergamon-Museum), and Prof. Dr. Susanne Kähler, Dean of the School of Culture and Design at HTW Berlin, and Dr. Gabriele Landwehr, Former CEO Goethe-Institut Gulf Region; Lecturer at Reinhold-Würth-Hochschule, Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences.
During his speech Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi stated, “Through our longstanding relationship with Berlin, we have been able to create opportunities that extend beyond borders; those that show young people that museums can be dynamic spaces of discovery and learning, places where stories are told and retold, and cultures come alive. This collaboration is about sharing knowledge, but also equally about nurturing an exchange of ideas that deepen our understanding of each other’s histories, beliefs and communities.”
On her part, Germany’s Consul General in Dubai, Sybille Pfaff, highlighted the distinctive role of the SAWA program, stating, “The program has been a unique and invaluable platform, fostering cultural exchange and empowering individuals passionate about museum studies. For over a decade, SAWA has provided a space for participants to expand their knowledge and apply it meaningfully in their communities.”
She further emphasised the program’s long-standing impact, noting it has cultivated a collaborative environment that enriches understanding across diverse backgrounds. "SAWA has not only enriched understanding across diverse backgrounds but has also created a shared language within museum studies,” she said.
She also praised Sharjah Museums Authority’s dedication to sustainability, which she said has laid the groundwork for meaningful, lasting contributions by empowering a new generation of museum professionals.
Aisha Rashid Deemas celebrated the SAWA programme's remarkable journey over the past decade during her speech, and underscored its role in fostering cross-cultural understanding and professional growth.
She stated, “Today, as we gather, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first edition of the SAWA Museum Studies Program. Launched from Sharjah in 2015, this program has established an educational and cultural bridge connecting the deep-rooted Arab heritage with European culture through a fresh and unique approach to museum studies. Now, we are reaping the rewards of what we planted ten years ago alongside our partners and friends from Germany, as Sharjah once again brings us together, united in hope for even more achievements for this exceptional programme.”
The event highlighted the cultural significance of the SAWA Museum Studies programme and its vital role, not only in fostering international collaborations that have greatly enhanced museum standards and practices across various regions, but also in advancing cultural diplomacy and creating resilient leaders capable of navigating the evolving museum landscape.
Throughout the two-day event, attendees will engage in insightful sessions featuring prominent speakers, including Prof. Dr. Weber, Prof. Dr. Kähler, Dr. Gabriele Landwehr, and Dr. Ulrike Al-Khamis.
Sessions will explore critical topics such as the "Importance of International Cooperation Between Museums and Cultural Entities," focusing on how cross-cultural partnerships contribute to staff development and the enhancement of museum standards.