Opening Ceremony of “Investing in Cultural Heritage” Conference
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Alexandria—
On Monday, 2 December 2008, Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria, inaugurated the preliminary conference “Investing in Cultural Heritage”, which is held in preparation for the Second International Cultural Heritage Conference to be held in Rome in 2009 under the title “Investing in Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Development”. As Vice-President of the World Bank (at the time), Dr. Serageldin had played a key role in the First International Cultural Heritage Conference held in Florence in 1999, which was co-sponsored by the Government of Italy, the World Bank and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Dr. Serageldin began by welcoming the Governor of Alexandria, and the representatives of the Italian Government, the World Bank and the Arab League. He then showed a documentary film displaying the laudable achievements of the BA, stating that it was the express wish of HE Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak - under whose auspices the conference is being held, but who was unable to be present in person - that the film be shown to demonstrate why the conference was held at the BA in particular.
In his speech, the Governor of Alexandria said that cultural heritage is an important world issue that has not been given sufficient attention by the politicians. He stated that the Governorate of Alexandria, together with the BA and University of Alexandria, are aiming to put Alexandria on the map of the world’s cultural cities.
Mr. Robert Maurer, representative of the World Bank, thanked the organizers, and Dr. Serageldin in particular, for holding the event “in such a wonderful place and such a beautiful city”. He pointed out the significant timing of the conference, which comes at a time when the world economic crisis is perhaps taking focus away from the issue of cultural heritage development.
Mr. Mamdouh El Mously, representative of the Arab League spoke about the role of the Arab League in preserving the cultural heritage of the Arab World.
Dr. Serageldin then went on to, once again, fascinate the audience with an inspiring presentation entitled “Reflections on Culture and Development”, where he demonstrated people’s yearning for identity and authenticity and emphasized the importance of investing in the preservation of the cultural identity, its continuity and its renewal.
Over the next three days, about 150 participants from various fields of expertise in the MENA region will discuss the political, economic, social, and technological aspects related to investment in cultural heritage, and will focus on the necessary action to be taken for this goal.