Intl conference on ‘Oral History’ to begin on Sept 23
Published: 04:09 PM,Sep 18,2024 | EDITED : 08:09 PM,Sep 18,2024
Dr Hamed bin Mohammed al Dhawyani, Chairman of the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA)
Muscat: The much-awaited international conference on ‘Oral History’, themed 'The Concept and Experience in the Arab World,' is scheduled to kick off next Monday at the Grand Millennium Hotel in Al Khuwair, Muscat.
The event, which runs from September 23 to 25, is being organised by the National Records and Archives Authority in partnership with the Document of the Nation Foundation from Syria. Attendees will include a diverse group of participants from Arab and international institutions, organisations and documentation centres.
The conference will be inaugurated by Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidy, Governor of Muscat, and will focus on three major themes: The theoretical axis, examining the concept of oral history in the Arab world; the scientific axis, which delves into regional, Arab and international experiences with oral history, including methods and findings; and the future axis, which will address how oral history can evolve and play a more significant role in Arab societies.
The event will also explore the unique challenges faced by oral historians in the region, raise awareness of the importance of oral history in modern historical writing and encourage collaboration on specialised projects. A key focus will be on how oral history can be incorporated into educational systems and developed further to enrich historical and social narratives in the Arab world.
Dr Hamed bin Mohammed al Dhawyani, Chairman of the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA), noted that over 25 speakers from Oman and beyond will present papers, visual content, and participate in panel discussions on the challenges and future of oral history.
Dr Al Dhawyani highlighted the importance of promoting oral history as a vital tool for historical documentation in the Arab world, where it remains in its infancy. He emphasised the need to develop a systematic approach and to foster community engagement to build narratives that complement official historical records.
The event, which runs from September 23 to 25, is being organised by the National Records and Archives Authority in partnership with the Document of the Nation Foundation from Syria. Attendees will include a diverse group of participants from Arab and international institutions, organisations and documentation centres.
The conference will be inaugurated by Sayyid Saud bin Hilal al Busaidy, Governor of Muscat, and will focus on three major themes: The theoretical axis, examining the concept of oral history in the Arab world; the scientific axis, which delves into regional, Arab and international experiences with oral history, including methods and findings; and the future axis, which will address how oral history can evolve and play a more significant role in Arab societies.
The event will also explore the unique challenges faced by oral historians in the region, raise awareness of the importance of oral history in modern historical writing and encourage collaboration on specialised projects. A key focus will be on how oral history can be incorporated into educational systems and developed further to enrich historical and social narratives in the Arab world.
Dr Hamed bin Mohammed al Dhawyani, Chairman of the National Records and Archives Authority (NRAA), noted that over 25 speakers from Oman and beyond will present papers, visual content, and participate in panel discussions on the challenges and future of oral history.
Dr Al Dhawyani highlighted the importance of promoting oral history as a vital tool for historical documentation in the Arab world, where it remains in its infancy. He emphasised the need to develop a systematic approach and to foster community engagement to build narratives that complement official historical records.