Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 23 March 2024 - The deadline to submit a project to be considered for the ICCROM Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management in the Arab Region has been extended to 1 June 2024. 

The ICCROM Sharjah Award is a prestigious regional recognition held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah. 

"The ICCROM Sharjah Award holds immense significance in cultural heritage conservation”, said ICCROM Director-General Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral. "By recognizing and honoring remarkable achievements, the Award not only acknowledges hard work and dedication but inspires others to strive for excellence in preserving cultural heritage”, she added. 

This biennial award celebrates outstanding achievements in cultural heritage conservation in the Arab region. It aims to recognize individuals and organizations who have significantly contributed to cultural heritage conservation, promoting excellence and inspiring others to preserve our shared heritage.

As the deadline for nominations approaches, the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah has decided to extend the deadline for receiving nominations for the 4th cycle of the ICCROM Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management in the Arab Region (2023-2024) until 1 June 2024. This is great news for individuals and organizations who have yet to submit their entries and want to be considered for this prestigious award. 

In response to the extended deadline, Shireen Sahouri, Programme Officer, Outreach and Development at the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah shared, "The new deadline allows potential candidates to carefully prepare their nominations, ensuring that all relevant information and supporting documents are included”.

The nomination process for the ICCROM Sharjah Award is simple. Nominations can be submitted online through the official Award website. The nominations should comply with the eligibility criteria and be submitted using the official entry form and accompanied by the requested documentation. 

In this cycle, one Grand Award will be presented for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management in the Arab Region. Additionally, two Honorary Awards for Community Engagement and Conservation and Innovation will be granted to recognize exemplary projects.

The award serves as a platform to highlight and promote innovative approaches and best practices in the conservation and management of cultural heritage in terms of technical skills employed and the social and economic impacts of the project on local communities. It brings regional attention to the importance of cultural heritage conservation and encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing among professionals and institutions throughout the region.

The Award reflects ICCROM-Sharjah’s commitment to help safeguard movable and immovable cultural heritage of the Arab region; promote good practices in the conservation and management of cultural heritage; facilitate international exchange of knowledge and experience in cultural heritage conservation and management; and enhance public awareness and appreciation of cultural heritage.

Nominations continue for the 3rd Cycle of Arab Cultural Heritage Award for the Young

The ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah is also actively seeking nominations for the 3rd cycle of the Arab Cultural Heritage Award for the Young (2023-2024) until 31 July 2024. 

The Award welcomes individual and group nominations of creative school children between 9 and 15 who have made significant artworks in one of the competition’s four main categories: drawing, photography, folkloric dance, and awareness-raising films.

This biennial regional Award, implemented in cooperation with the National Commissions for UNESCO in the Arab Region under the title "Our Heritage Brings Us Together”, aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage in the Arab region, introduce students to the goals of sustainable development, and point out how the preservation of heritage and culture is a basis for sustainable economic and political development processes. It also aims to spread the notion of preserving heritage through art and to encourage students to learn more about cultural heritage by visiting archaeological and historic sites.

Winners of the Arab Cultural Heritage Award for the Young receive more than just recognition for their exceptional contributions. The award provides a platform for winners to gain visibility and exposure in the cultural heritage community, opening doors for growth and development. Additionally, winners receive a monetary prize to encourage and support their ongoing efforts in promoting Arab cultural heritage. The award is a testament to their dedication and inspires others to follow in their footsteps.

The ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah is a cultural hub generously supported by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah and member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates. The office is a powerhouse of cultural heritage knowledge, specially created for widespread adoption in Arabic-speaking countries. Launched in 2012, ICCROM-Sharjah is dedicated to protecting cultural heritage in the Arab region and broadening access, appreciation and understanding of its rich history.