Amman, Nov. 10 (Petra) -- Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh affirmed on Tuesday that culture serves as a bridge of communication between nations and a soft power that fosters dialogue, mutual understanding, and tolerance.

Speaking during a panel discussion titled "Culture as a Language of Trust" at the First World Public Summit: The Arab World, hosted by the kingdom, Rawashdeh stressed the importance of leveraging cultural heritage, arts, and innovation to build human and civilizational connections.

Rawashdeh highlighted that Jordan, with its rich heritage spanning centuries, stands as a model for civilizational interaction and cultural diversity. He noted that preserving national identity and historical memory aligns with open engagement toward other cultures and technological advancements while upholding shared human values.

In this context, the minister pointed to the "Jordanian Narrative: The Story of Land and People" initiative, launched by HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, which documents the civilizational and cultural legacy of Jordan and reinforces national identity through the bond between people and place.

He added that Jordan's strategic geographical and historical position has made it a crossroads for major civilizations, noting that the kingdom hosts more than 100,000 archaeological sites around 15,000 of which are officially registered, with seven listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Rawashdeh reiterated Jordan's ongoing commitment to promoting tolerance, moderation, and peaceful coexistence through key national initiatives, led by the Amman Message launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II to highlight the true values of Islam, as well as World Interfaith Harmony Week, the Cultural Diversity Festival, and the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts.

Outlining the ministry's achievements, Rawashdeh revealed that nearly 5,200 cultural events were organized across the kingdom's governorates over the past year, spanning poetry, literature, music, fine arts, and heritage preservation. He emphasized that human development remains the core of cultural work by nurturing youth talent and fostering creativity.

He also highlighted self-learning initiatives expanding across cultural centers, such as the "42 Irbid" initiative, which enables youth to self-learn software development by providing hardware and suitable environments, with plans to expand these programs nationwide.

Furthermore, Rawashdeh underscored the connection between culture and economic growth, identifying culture as a contributor to national development and gross domestic product (GDP). He noted that the ministry is developing cultural and heritage industries alongside necessary regulatory and legislative frameworks to position culture as a productive sector.

The four-day summit, held under the theme "Dialogue, Cultural Heritage, and Partnership for Our Common Future," is organized by the World Peoples Assembly and the Arab Peace Group.

The event brings together public figures, representatives of international organizations, academics, and experts to explore international cooperation in culture, education, science, and public diplomacy.

//Petra// AF