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Sharjah: UAE national students should not stray from their national heritage and should not be influenced by Western media, a senior official said on Wednesday.
"Students find it easier to stray from their national identity by listening to Western music and are being influenced by Western art and culture," said Ahmad Al Mansouri, Coordinator General at Watani, a national programme designed to preserve UAE traditions.
In line with President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan's declaration for 2008 as National Identity Year, the two-day conference will see students running sessions and presenting their own thesis on how to deal with the challenge of maintaining their national identity.
"Globalisation has had a positive impact on society, but youth should not forget their history," said Al Mansouri, speaking at the second students' Watani conference.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, inaugurated the two-day conference which highlighted the importance of enhancing national identity among students by encouraging them to make positive contributions to the community.
Al Mansouri emphasised that more activities should be carried out in order to encourage a positive identity among UAE nationals, such as voluntary work with different segments of the community.
Society
"Even though we are all living in a globalised society and have come to respect other nationalities ... we still have to respect our own identity and understand our culture," he said.
He added that the current focus of Watani is on students because they are the future leaders of society.
This has to do with the challenges facing national identity due to the impact of globalisation, information technology and multiculturalism.
Students from 20 universities have submitted a total of 31 papers to the Watani national programme, which will use their recommendations, "since they are experiencing the challenges in maintaining their national identity first-hand."
Watani is currently carrying out its role through a synergy between academic institutions, the private and public sector which allows youth to contribute to the community.
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