Ministry of Culture and Youth showcases its digital services at GITEX Week 2022 as part of Digital Government Platform

The Ministry of Culture and Youth is participating in the 42nd edition of GITEX Technology Week, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from   October 10 to 14, 2022. The Ministry’s participation comes under the Digital Government Platform, where it will showcase its digital solutions to customers, highlighting the "Self-Monitoring Programme for Media Content" of the Media Regulation Office (MRO) and “Luminous of the Youth” initiative by the Federal Youth Authority.

 The exhibition visitors will be introduced to the Self-monitoring Programme for Media Content, which allows publishing houses, libraries and distributors to evaluate the content of books directly. It will also serve book exchanges thereby improving the state of the publishing sector in general by adopting best practices in the field of content evaluation. It also offers an opportunity for digitisation of licenses to publish books.

The Media Regulatory Office launched the electronic version of the "Self-Monitoring Programme for Media Content" during the 31st edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair held in May 2022. The aim was to support the publishing sector by granting book distributors the authority to approve trading requests in line with the terms and conditions and the legislation governing the sector. The programme uses an integrated electronic system through which the customer can apply and obtain the required approval efficiently. It also boosts the participation of the private sector within the sector.

The " Luminous of the Youth " initiative launched by the Federal Youth Authority, is an integrated art platform that connects artists and the public by identifying points of live performances in different parts of the country. The initiative uses smart sustainable solutions to deliver messages about art related events to the potential audiences thereby giving an impetus to the culture of creativity through audio and visual performances. These programmes engage artists to perform in public spaces and foster an artistic and creative atmosphere in country.

 Commenting on GITEX participation, H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, said: "Technology plays a pivotal role in our lives which is the reason the Ministry of Culture and Youth has deployed an integrated strategy for digital transformation. The Ministry is adopting technical capabilities and harnessing technology to develop the local creative and art movement. These efforts are in line with the UAE’s vision of using the latest technological tools for the development and progress of communities.”

  He added: "GITEX Technology Week is an ideal opportunity to create awareness about the Ministry’s latest initiatives that use technology to streamline work and enhance efficiency. The pandemic has brought about massive transformations in the way we think and work today. It expedited the process of digital transformation resulting in digitisation of projects and programmes that were previously limited to traditional working mechanisms. All these have improved our productivity and also contributed to the growth of the cultural and creative industries sector to make meaningful contribution to the national economy."

 The Ministry's participation within the Digital Government Platform comes as part of its efforts for digitisation of government services under the digital transformation plan of the UAE government to make the country future ready.