Prince Hassan bin Talal, Chairman of the Arab Thought Forum, on Monday inaugurated the 16th International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan (ICHAJ 16) under the theme: “Archaeology and Sustainability: Learning from the Past for a Secure and Strong Future.” The conference is organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Department of Antiquities in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, running from 22–26 September in Athens, Greece.
اضافة اعلان
Prince Hassan emphasized the importance of deeply understanding Jordan’s cultural and historical heritage as part of the Levant to better comprehend the present and address global challenges, aiming for a secure and resilient future for the region and the world.
He highlighted the significance of holding the 16th edition of the conference in Athens, describing it as “more than a gracious host—it embodies the idea of convergence, a place where different cultures, beliefs, and empires meet.”
“This reflects that civilization is not produced by a single people, but through cultural exchange connecting societies across centuries,” he added.
Prince Hassan noted the shared cultural heritage among Rome, Greece, the Nabataean Kingdom in Petra, and the Islamic era, emphasizing that these historical links have shaped Jordan into a central meeting point over thousands of years, situated at the heart of successive civilizations and historic trade routes.
He stressed the importance of tracing Jordan’s cultural heritage as a model for sustainability, citing traditional sustainable agricultural practices evident in Jordan’s archaeological record—from the Neolithic villages to the kingdoms of Ammon, Moab, and Edom in the Iron Age.
Prince Hassan also underscored the need to protect knowledge and cultural heritage in sustainable practices related to water, food, energy, and ecosystems, transferring lessons from past civilizations to guide wise decision-making, anticipate crises, and mitigate disasters.
He highlighted the role of the Levant in Greek civilization as an active participant within a chain of intellectual and cultural heritage, marking an important linkage in the “intellectual legacy” between the Levant and other civilizations.
Prince Hassan stressed the necessity of human dignity in interpreting historical heritage, emphasizing the humanization of history and cultural legacy for the people of the region.
He drew attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting: “Gaza, which until recently had one of the highest literacy rates in the world at 97%, now—within less than two years—suffers from the eradication of education, built over decades, undermining concepts of educational justice.”
Prince Hassan described Gaza as experiencing “environmental extermination” amid “clusters of death and genocide,” expressing hope that the world will not suffer an intellectual annihilation due to humanitarian disasters and the suppression of critical thinking.
Tourism and Antiquities Minister Emad Hijazin highlighted the conference’s wide Arab and international attendance and its role in showcasing Jordan’s historical significance among successive civilizations. He emphasized that the event uniquely presents Jordan’s historical identity and regional standing economically, socially, and religiously.
Director of the Department of Antiquities, Fawzi Abu Dena, noted that this year’s conference reflects continuous cultural and civilizational exchange between Jordan and Greece across millennia, stressing the importance of sustaining these relationships to address contemporary challenges and crises.
The opening was attended by Princess Dana Firas, Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa from Bahrain, the President of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as Jordanian, Arab, and international researchers and academics.
Sheikha Mai praised the role of history and cultural heritage in safeguarding human capacities and advancing human thought in the region and globally, highlighting Jordan’s historical and ongoing contributions.
The International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan, held every three years, was first hosted in Oxford, UK, in 1980, initiated by Prince Hassan bin Talal. Since then, it has been hosted by countries including Germany, France, the UK, the USA, Australia, and Italy.
—PETRA
