In my career in the cultural sector spanning 20 years, I have seen museums and cultural organisations face the imperative of reflecting and engaging with a diverse, global audience. The evolving role of these institutions extends far beyond preserving and researching art collections.
It involves contributing to cultural dialogue and having critical conversations with the public. To harness the full potential of their collections, museums must build international partnerships and foster cross-cultural learning. Such collaborations are essential to cultivating leaders who will guide the cultural institutions of tomorrow.
More than a decade ago, a vision shared by cultural professionals committed to addressing gaps in the museum sector led to a significant initiative. What started as a brainstorming session in Sharjah evolved into a pioneering museum studies educational programme called Sawa to bridge cultural divides and enhance the museum experience through international co-operation.
Museums and cultural organisations need leaders to promote international partnerships and cultivate genuine friendships
This programme was designed to bring together students and emerging professionals from various regions – including the Middle East, North Africa and Europe – to engage in a transformative learning process.
Multicultural learning is at the core of this initiative. Participants are exposed to diverse cultural contexts and perspectives through workshops, seminars and practical experiences in different countries. This comparative approach enables them to understand how museums in various regions handle issues such as cultural representation, content creation and education.
Modules for the programme are co-taught by Sharjah Museum staff and their European counterparts on themes such as the definition of a museum, strategies in collecting and documentation, curatorial approaches and audience engagement and interpretation. Such experiences are crucial for developing a nuanced understanding of the global museum landscape and equipping future leaders with the skills needed to navigate diverse cultural settings effectively.
International collaboration offers more than just professional development; it cultivates empathy and a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity. By engaging with perspectives outside their own cultural comfort zones, participants learn to interpret and present cultural artefacts in sensitive ways.
Just to share one example, a past participant of Mexican origin living in Luxembourg expressed her joy for her new “Sawa Family”, stating that “we identified in each other the commitment to make museums more self-reflective, diverse, and caring places”.
For museums, this means empowering staff who have the tools and understanding to create exhibitions and programmes that resonate with a wide audience and contribute to a less partial representation of history and heritage, fostering a genuine connection with different cultures and narratives.
One of the most significant outcomes of such cross-cultural exploration is the ability to identify and emphasise the common ground between different cultural narratives. In a world where cultural differences are often highlighted, focusing on shared human experiences can bridge divides and promote a more inclusive approach to museum work.
Programmes that encourage participants to explore both similarities and differences help create a more unified understanding of cultural heritage, fostering a sense of global solidarity and connectivity in times where geopolitical events are dividing us and brewing animosity, bigotry and misinformation.
Furthermore, these international partnerships play a critical role in shaping the leadership of cultural organisations. The museum sector requires leaders who are not only well-versed in their field but also adept at navigating an evolving landscape marked by increasing demands for inclusivity, transparency and innovation. Effective leadership in this context involves inspiring diverse audiences, advocating for the value of cultural heritage and leading initiatives that promote social responsibility and cohesion.
By working alongside peers from different cultural backgrounds, emerging leaders develop the ability to lead in multicultural settings – a crucial skill in today’s globalised world. This experience enhances their capacity to collaborate with international partners and address the needs of a diverse audience with cultural sensitivity and awareness.
As these future leaders take on roles within museums and cultural organisations, their ability to integrate diverse perspectives will be instrumental in ensuring these institutions remain relevant and impactful.
During my 17 years as director general of museums in Sharjah, my past role heavily involved diplomatic skills such as listening, negotiation, adaptability and, above all, communication. But it would have been futile had I not adopted early in my career an accepting mindset and social awareness.
International collaborations also help build networks of young professionals committed to cross-cultural understanding and cultural diplomacy. These networks lay the groundwork for future partnerships that can further the goals of global engagement and mutual respect.
Museums and cultural organisations need leaders to promote international partnerships and cultivate genuine friendships. These collaborations are essential for improving museum collections and narratives, ensuring they reflect the diversity and richness of global cultures and voices. As we move forward, the lessons learnt from such initiatives will continue to shape the leaders who will guide cultural institutions towards a more connected and empathetic future.
How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
DC%20League%20of%20Super-Pets
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Rugby World Cup (all times UAE)
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Company%20profile
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More from Neighbourhood Watch
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre V8
Power: 480hp at 7,250rpm
Torque: 566Nm at 4,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: L/100km
Price: Dh306,495
On sale: now
The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make
When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.
“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.
This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).
|
Age
|
$250 a month
|
$500 a month
|
$1,000 a month
|
|
25
|
$640,829
|
$1,281,657
|
$2,563,315
|
|
35
|
$303,219
|
$606,439
|
$1,212,877
|
|
45
|
$131,596
|
$263,191
|
$526,382
|
|
55
|
$44,351
|
$88,702
|
$177,403
|
TOP%2010%20MOST%20POLLUTED%20CITIES
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Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
