The Media, Tourism and Culture Committee of the Shura Council met this morning (Wednesday) with H.E. Said Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, as part of the Committee’s ongoing study of the expressed desire concerning the enhancement of the role and impact of private cultural centres and libraries within the community. The meeting formed part of the Committee’s efforts to assess the current status of these cultural institutions and explore avenues for their development and empowerment to enable them to perform their cultural, educational, and developmental roles more effectively and sustainably.
At the outset of the meeting, H.E. Abdullah Al Harthi, Chairman of the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee, welcomed the Undersecretary and accompanying officials, emphasising the important role undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth as the government entity responsible for cultural affairs and the supervision of cultural institutions and centres. He noted that the Committee had invited the Ministry to benefit from its perspectives, expertise, and initiatives in this field, thereby enriching the study and contributing to the development of practical recommendations aimed at strengthening private cultural centres and libraries and enhancing their societal contributions.
The Ministry’s specialists subsequently delivered a presentation outlining the current status of private cultural centres and libraries, the legislative and regulatory frameworks governing their operations, and the Ministry’s efforts to support these institutions and enable them to fulfil their cultural and educational missions. The presentation also reviewed indicators related to the geographical distribution of private cultural centres and libraries and highlighted the activities and programmes they provide for various segments of society, contributing to knowledge dissemination and the promotion of local cultural engagement.
The presentation further addressed the initiatives and programmes implemented by the Ministry to develop the cultural environment and enable civil cultural institutions to keep pace with technological and knowledge-based developments. These efforts include expanding cultural activities, encouraging innovation in programme delivery, and strengthening partnerships with government entities, private-sector organisations, and civil society institutions to ensure the sustainability and broader societal impact of cultural initiatives.
In addition, Ministry representatives reviewed the challenges facing private cultural centres and libraries, as well as opportunities to enhance their performance and sustainability. They also highlighted efforts to strengthen their role in serving youth, increasing community participation in cultural activities, and utilising modern technologies and digital platforms to expand access to cultural content and services.
Members of the Committee then discussed a number of observations and issues related to the study. Discussions focused on the Ministry’s efforts to support private cultural centres and libraries through licensing and renewal procedures, regulatory frameworks, supervision and monitoring mechanisms, and the financial and technical assistance provided to these institutions. Members also examined the Ministry’s plans and initiatives aimed at developing the activities of such institutions and expanding youth-oriented cultural and educational programmes.
The discussions further explored proposals to establish coordination mechanisms among private cultural centres and libraries to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise and create broader opportunities for cooperation and partnership. Attention was also given to efforts to improve infrastructure and provide the equipment and resources necessary for implementing a diverse range of cultural activities and programmes. The meeting additionally reviewed methods for measuring the impact of programmes and activities implemented by these institutions, as well as the indicators used to assess their effectiveness and achievement of objectives.
Committee members also discussed the Ministry’s role in enhancing the financial sustainability of private cultural centres and libraries, including potential funding and support programmes to strengthen their resources and ensure the continuity of their activities. The meeting further considered successful international experiences in empowering cultural institutions and maximising their contribution to cultural and community development. Participants also reviewed key challenges facing the Ministry in this area and explored proposals that could enhance the efficiency and future role of private cultural centres and libraries.
Responding to members’ inquiries, Ministry representatives reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to further developing the national cultural ecosystem and enabling private cultural centres and libraries to fulfil their role as active community institutions that promote culture, knowledge, participation, and creativity, in line with national aspirations to build a prosperous and sustainable knowledge-based society.
It is worth noting that the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee is currently conducting a comprehensive study on the expressed desire concerning the enhancement of the role and impact of private cultural centres and libraries in society. The Committee has held a number of meetings with relevant stakeholders to gather perspectives on the current status of these institutions, the challenges they face, and mechanisms for their empowerment, in preparation for the submission of its final report to the Council for discussion during upcoming sessions.
The meeting was chaired by H.E. Abdullah Al Harthi, Chairman of the Media, Tourism and Culture Committee, and attended by H.E. Mansour Al Hajri, Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council, along with Their Excellencies members of the Committee.