The National Archives and Library discusses the role of the family in promoting a reading culture
Abu Dhabi, 26 March / WAM / The National Archives and the National Library organized a virtual symposium entitled “The Month of Reading and the Role of the Family in Developing Awareness and Cognitive Convergence” within its cultural season for the year 2026, coinciding with the Month of Reading and the Year of the Family.
The symposium, moderated by writer Fatima Al Mazrouei, with the participation of journalist Dr. Musa Al Zubaidi and writer Mai Abdul Hadi, discussed the importance of reading as a pillar for building humanity and enhancing cultural identity in the UAE.
Al Mazroui confirmed that the month of reading has become a prominent milestone in the level of national cultural awareness, as reading has turned into a sustainable community project in which the family participates as the first incubator for shaping children’s awareness. She stressed the doubling of the family’s responsibility in light of the acceleration of changes and the flow of information, especially in directing children towards conscious reading and consolidating balanced cultural values.
Dr. Al-Zubaidi explained that reading has been the focus of human interest since ancient times, and has evolved to include understanding texts, ideas, and behaviors. He pointed out the importance of setting reading goals and choosing sources carefully, in addition to analysis and criticism, and not completely accepting the writer’s ideas, with the necessity of knowing the writer’s background to understand the content in depth.
Mai Abdel Hadi spoke about the role of early reading in developing the child’s brain, stressing that children who read early achieve better cognitive and psychological results, and warning against excessive use of screens.
She stressed the importance of the family in establishing the reading habit by providing a stimulating environment and interacting with the child.
Al Mazrouei reviewed the challenges of reading, such as boredom, lack of time, and difficulty choosing books, and presented practical solutions that include simplifying the concept of reading, diversifying sources, and developing regular reading plans. She emphasized that a family that instills a love of reading contributes to building an educated generation capable of communicating and solving problems, and enhances cognitive convergence within the family.
The symposium concluded by emphasizing the importance of turning reading into a daily habit within the family, and taking advantage of the Reading Month to launch family initiatives that support building a more aware society capable of keeping pace with the future, while noting the UAE’s efforts to support reading through national initiatives such as the Reading Law, the Arab Reading Challenge, and the Sheikh Zayed Book Award.
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