Experts and specialists in the library and information sector confirmed during a dialogue session titled "Knowledge is Power: Towards a Comprehensive Information Society", as part of the Sharjah International Book Fair, that knowledge is not an intellectual luxury, but the cornerstone of building humanity and the prosperity of societies. They emphasized that empowering individuals with access to knowledge is the first step towards making informed decisions and achieving sustainable development.
Dr. Fatima Al Mamari, Acting Director of the Cultural Heritage Department at the Ministry of Culture, explained that one of the most prominent challenges of the digital age is the abundance of information and the lack of distinction between reliable and erroneous sources. She stressed the importance of guiding new generations towards critical thinking and the ability to evaluate sources, especially in issues related to national identity and culture.
Fahd Ali Al Mamari, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Library and Information Association, addressed the linguistic and intellectual dimensions of the concept of knowledge, noting that human beings are inherently equipped to acquire it. He added that the UAE, since the establishment of the federation, has made compulsory education the foundation for building a prosperous knowledge-based society. He stated that library science constitutes a fundamental axis in building a comprehensive information society, calling for investment in training and qualifying librarians and developing their skills in documentation, preservation, and facilitating access to information. He affirmed that a librarian is not just a technical employee, but a bearer of a cultural mission that empowers society to access sources of science and knowledge.
