National Archives' Teachers’ Forum to highlight local culture, history and social values

Teachers will be introduced to the culture, history and social values of the UAE as well as the strongly held traditions of tolerance and co-existence among the many nationalities represented in the country during the Fourth Annual National and Foreign Teachers’ Forum, which was hosted by the National Archives on Tuesday.

The forum will conclude on 12th September, 2017.

This forum is specially designed to encourage teachers, who have been nominated by the Abu Dhabi Educational Council, the Ministry of Education, or the Emirates National Schools, to promote a sense of national loyalty and belonging and facilitate the consolidation of our national identity. It is believed that such a programme will prepare teachers to assume their responsibilities towards the homeland in the future.

Dr. Abdullah Alraisi, Director-General of the National Archives, said, "We will introduce participants to the National Archives, its functions and objectives, and the services that it offers to its audience of beneficiaries."

"The National Archives, in co-operation with its strategic partners the Abu Dhabi Education Council, the Ministry of Education and the Emirates National Schools is keen to inspire the educational system in state schools to consolidate our national identity and promote loyalty and belonging amongst students. The National Archives also seeks to enrich the educational process and bridge the gap between teacher and student as part of its contribution to the national educational process and for the success of the educational process in state schools," he added.

Dr. Aisha Bilkhair, Research Advisor at the National Archives, will deliver a lecture entitled, "History and Culture of the United Arab Emirates," and will endeavour to show how the happiness of the people in the UAE has its foundations in mutual tolerance and acceptance. In addition, it will point to the role played by the founder of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in instilling values implied by the meaning of its original name Emirates of the Reconciled Coast.

A tour of the National Archives is to be scheduled as part of the activities at the forum. Participants will explore the various research-friendly facilities at the National Archives. The tour intends to inform participants of the myriad materials available to researchers, including maps, historical documents, photographs and multimedia.