The National Archives and Library concludes its participation with an oral history conference in Poland
ABU DHABI, 7 October / WAM / The National Archives and the National Library concluded their participation in the twenty-third session of the International Oral History Association Conference, hosted by the Jagiellonian University in the Republic of Poland, entitled, “The Role of Senior Citizens in Preserving Environmental Sustainability in the United Arab Emirates,” and aimed to highlight the important role played by the Archives and the National Library in documenting oral history in the UAE, as a major tool. To understand the national cultural identity and fill the gaps in historical records, in addition to introducing participants to the rich environmental diversity in the country, including desert, mountainous, coastal, marine and wetland environments, and the related lifestyles and diverse sources of livelihood.
Maitha Salman Al Zaabi, Head of the Oral History Department at the National Archives and Library, gave a lecture during the conference activities, in which she addressed the role of oral history in preserving the environment and achieving sustainable use of natural resources, by documenting the valuable information and experiences provided by senior citizens in oral interviews conducted by the Archives and the National Library and kept within its archive specialized in oral history.
She began her lecture with a brief introduction to the United Arab Emirates, the Archives, and the National Library. She gave a brief explanation of the environmental diversity in the country. She also reviewed the model of cooperation between the Archives, the National Library, and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, in a project to study the case of ancient and modern pastoralism, which included oral history interviews according to a scientific methodology with senior citizens of camel owners and livestock breeders of both sexes in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the city of Al Ain. And Al Dhafra region.
The interviews addressed aspects of environmental life in the past, types of plants and animals, and traditional practices in the fields of grazing, irrigation, and use of groundwater. They also revealed specialized local terminology in the field of grazing, and presented the impact of overgrazing on the recovery of vegetation and wild biodiversity in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
It also touched on the executive regulations of Law No. (11) of 2020 regarding regulating grazing in the emirate, and the services provided to livestock owners.
At the federal level, Al Zaabi referred to the efforts of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in this field, reviewing the role of senior citizens in specialized workshops, councils and forums – such as councils of falconers and fishermen – in which their experiences contributed to the launch of a number of important national policies approved by the Ministry.
Al Zaabi stressed the importance of oral history in the archives and the National Library in enhancing understanding of national cultural identity, filling gaps in historical records, and strengthening ties between generations, noting that it represents a rich source of scientific and research references and decision-making.
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