Sultan Al Qasimi Issues Emiri Decree Establishing and Regulating the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued Emiri Decree No. (19) of 2017 concerning the establishment and regulation of the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage. The Decree stipulates the establishment of an international award in the Emirate to be known as the “Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage,” possessing legal personality and full capacity to act within the limits of its objectives in accordance with the provisions of this Decree. The Award’s principal headquarters shall be in the Emirate of Sharjah. Branches and offices may be established within or outside the Emirate by decision of the Award’s Board of Trustees. Objectives of the Award The Award aims to achieve the following: 1. Recognize distinguished efforts at the local, Arab, and international levels in safeguarding cultural heritage elements, documenting them, and ensuring their continuity. 2. Foster a spirit of constructive competition among those engaged in scientific and field-based research in the field of cultural heritage. 3. Value and honor safeguarding practices of cultural heritage in accordance with internationally recognized standards in this field. 4. Honor Living Human Treasures and highlight their role in transmitting knowledge and expertise, and in promoting oral traditions and the role of narrators. The Decree further provides that the Award shall be conferred in the following fields: 1. Best Safeguarding Practices of Cultural Heritage. 2. Narrators and Bearers of Heritage (Living Human Treasures). 3. Researchers in Cultural Heritage. The Ruler of Sharjah may, upon the proposal of the Board of Trustees, add other related fields in which the Award may be granted. Governance and Organization The Decree stipulates that the Award shall have a Board of Trustees composed of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and a number of qualified and specialized members, whose appointment shall be issued by administrative decision of the Ruler of Sharjah or his delegate. The Board shall be the supreme authority responsible for the administration of the Award and for setting its regulations and supervision in line with achieving its objectives. For this purpose, it shall exercise the following powers: 1. Formulate the general policy of the Award’s activities. 2. Establish the criteria for granting the Award. 3. Appoint members of the Jury Committee. 4. Prepare the annual budget and final accounts of the Award and submit them to the Department of Government Relations for necessary action. 5. Prepare the financial and administrative regulations and organizational bylaws and submit them to the Department of Government Relations for necessary action. 6. Propose the Award’s general guide, periodicity, categories, eligibility conditions, and nomination procedures, and submit them to the Department of Government Relations for approval. 7. Establish permanent and ad hoc committees and define their mandates according to the Award’s needs. 8. Submit periodic reports on its activities to the Department of Government Relations. 9. Undertake any other matters deemed necessary for the conduct of the Award’s work after approval of the Department of Government Relations. 10. Exercise any other functions assigned to it by the Ruler or the Executive Council of the Emirate. Membership in the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah International Award for Cultural Heritage shall be for a renewable term of four years. The Board shall continue to conduct its functions until a new Board is constituted. The Board of Trustees shall meet at least twice per year or whenever necessary upon invitation of its Chairman. Its decisions shall be issued by majority vote; in the event of a tie, the side including the Chairman of the meeting shall prevail. Technical Secretariat The Decree also provides that the Award shall have a Technical Secretariat entrusted with the following functions: 1. Propose the Award’s strategic and marketing plan and submit it to the Board of Trustees for approval. 2. Conduct general coordination and administrative and financial supervision of the Award’s activities. 3. Implement marketing and promotional activities for the Award in accordance with an approved plan. 4. Promote awareness of the Award, its objectives, eligibility conditions, and nomination procedures in accordance with the Award Guide. 5. Receive and classify nomination applications, prepare reports for the Board of Trustees, and coordinate with the Jury Committee and evaluation teams to screen and distribute applications. 6. Coordinate between the entities concerned with the Award, the Board of Trustees, and the Jury Committee, and conduct the necessary official correspondence. 7. Prepare the launch ceremony of the Award following approval by the Board of Trustees. The Technical Secretariat shall be headed by a Secretary-General appointed by decision of the Executive Council of the Emirate, which shall define the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary-General. Financial Resources The financial resources of the Award shall consist of: 1. Government support allocated within the Emirate’s budget. 2. Sponsorship revenues from Award events and programmes provided by the public and private sectors and accepted by the Board. 3. Any other resources proposed by the Board and approved by the competent Department. The financial year of the Award shall commence on 1 January and end on 31 December of each year. The first financial year shall begin from the date this Decree enters into force and end on 31 December of the same year. The Award shall be exempt from all local governmental taxes and fees of all forms and types. General Provisions The Decree further stipulates that the Executive Council of the Emirate, upon the proposal of the Department of Government Relations and in coordination with the Board of Trustees, shall issue the implementing regulations and decisions necessary to achieve the objectives of this Decree. This Decree shall come into force from the date of its issuance. The competent authorities shall implement it, each within its jurisdiction, and it shall be published in the Official Gazette.