News DeskAlUla, Saudi Arabia – In a historic move, the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inked a groundbreaking agreement in July 2023, heralding a new era of cultural collaboration and development in the region. The agreement, revealed during the 45th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session chaired by Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, marks the commencement of Phase 2 of a five-year comprehensive accord initiated in November 2021. This agreement encompasses heritage preservation, intangible and tangible cultural heritage safeguarding, engagement, capacity-building, and creative arts.
The focal points of Phase 2 are two major projects: the Integrated Cultural Programme for AlUla’s development and the UNESCO/Kingdoms Institute Fellowship Programme, concentrating on heritage and archaeology.
Integrated Cultural Programme for AlUla’s Development:
The heart of the fresh accord, the RCU-UNESCO Integrated Cultural Programme, is designed to unfold over the next two years, delivering technical support and capacity-building, fostering the formation of international networks, and raising awareness of cultural heritage’s pivotal role in AlUla’s sustainable development. The program seeks to explore how heritage and creativity can contribute to the construction of sustainable cities and regions, emphasizing a culture-centric, people-focused model for AlUla’s growth.
Key objectives of the Integrated Cultural Programme include:
Enhancing Cross-Cultural Skills and Visitor Experiences: This component will lead to the establishment of new interpretive and innovation centers across AlUla and other significant heritage sites.
Safeguarding Living Heritage: Policies and training, coupled with community-based pilot activities, are integral to preserving the living heritage of AlUla.
Empowering Young Cultural Entrepreneurs: The program will facilitate capacity-building and knowledge-sharing among young female cultural and creative entrepreneurs, opening doors for future opportunities in the field.
UNESCO/Kingdoms Institute Fellowship Programme:
This segment of the agreement furthers the UNESCO/Kingdoms Institute Fellowship Programme, a collaboration between UNESCO and the Kingdoms Institute. RCU is establishing the Kingdoms Institute as a global hub for archaeological research and conservation. The AlUla Fellowships Programme will witness the first fellows arriving in AlUla in October 2023, focusing on enabling heritage researchers and professionals to engage in site-based research, conservation, and knowledge exchange.
Notable outcomes of the fellowship program are as follows:
Capacity Building: The selection of ten fellowship recipients will participate in an 18-month training program hosted by the Kingdoms Institute and the Cultural Programme at UNESCO headquarters or its field offices.
Network Building: This initiative aims to bolster networks, cooperation, and knowledge-sharing among heritage researchers and professionals, facilitating the dissemination of knowledge and experience.
This groundbreaking, cross-sectorial partnership signifies the wealth of knowledge and potential in AlUla and underscores its role as a global incubator for cultivating a shared understanding of human history. This collaboration between RCU and UNESCO promises to elevate AlUla’s stature as a nexus for cultural exchange and development on the world stage.
