The Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood has prepared a new generation of female artisans who will contribute to preserving and promoting the UAE’s cultural heritage through the Guardians of Heritage 2.0 programme. The initiative provides training in traditional crafts to safeguard them from extinction, ensure their continuity, and pass them on to future generations.
Launched in collaboration with the General Women’s Union’s Centre for Traditional Industries and Handicrafts, the programme reflects the council’s commitment to protecting the UAE’s cultural legacy and strengthening national identity among younger generations.
Guardians of Heritage 2.0 will train a group of girls aged between 8 and 15 in Emirati traditional crafts, under the guidance of skilled craftswomen from the Heritage Guardians team. Established in 1975 as the country’s first specialised handicrafts centre, the team has served as a cornerstone for preserving authenticity and transmitting traditional knowledge.
Participants will be introduced to a range of heritage arts and crafts, including perfume and incense making, Talli embroidery, Froukhah crafting, Henna design, hospitality traditions, culinary arts, and preparing authentic Emirati coffee; opening doors to creativity while deepening their connection to their cultural roots.
The launch of Guardians of Heritage 2.0, dedicated to young girls, coincides with the 2025 Emirati Children’s Day theme, The Right to Culture and National Identity. It embodies the principle of intergenerational connection by acquainting young people with their authentic heritage, nurturing their appreciation of its values and aesthetics, and ensuring its survival as a living element of the UAE’s cultural identity.
The General Women’s Union’s Centre for Traditional Industries and Handicrafts works to revive and preserve heritage, empower women by providing training and employment opportunities in heritage crafts, and promote cultural awareness by educating the public about the significance and history of these traditions. The centre also develops heritage products by merging traditional craftsmanship with modern design to create innovative items suited to contemporary needs. In addition, it strengthens national identity by fostering pride in Emirati heritage, participating in heritage exhibitions, festivals, and events, organising workshops for children, youth, and the community, and showcasing artisanal products in permanent and seasonal displays.
The Guardians of Heritage 2.0 programme aligns with the centre’s founding vision; established in 1978 by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, under an initiative by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, to embody the UAE’s past, affirm its authenticity, and anchor national identity in the hearts of Emiratis.
The programme’s objectives include reviving heritage, safeguarding it from extinction, creating a cultural foundation for society, acquainting younger generations with the nation’s civilisational and ancestral legacy, and enabling skilled craftswomen, particularly those with limited income to benefit economically from their expertise.
The centre houses specialised workshops in traditional crafts historically practiced by Emirati women, staffed by experienced Heritage Guardians and senior craftswomen. Each workshop focuses on a specific craft, such as talli, palm frond weaving (khous), sadu weaving, sewing, embroidery, and modern handicrafts. A permanent exhibition illustrates aspects of daily life in the UAE’s past through authentic artefacts and displays.
By linking this theme to the Guardians of Heritage programme, the council aims to strengthen intergenerational bonds by engaging senior Emirati women and children in joint activities, documenting and presenting local traditions in a child-friendly format, and ensuring they are preserved for future generations. The initiative also promotes local cultural and knowledge exchange across different community groups, helping protect the UAE’s intangible heritage including poetry, proverbs, traditional arts, ayala, harbiya, taghrooda, and traditional industries.
Her Excellency Rym bint Abdullah Al Falasi, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, said the Guardians of Heritage 2.0 follows the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, to strenghten the efforts aimed at reinforcing interest in the UAE’s heritage and cultural legacy. This, Her Excellency noted, supports its protection, ensures its role in society, and guarantees its transmission from generation to generation as a testament to the UAE’s deep-rooted history and enduring traditions.
Her Excellency added that the programme will provide an engaging and immersive experience for participating children, giving them the opportunity to live and practice heritage as part of their daily lives, learning directly from mothers and grandmothers who preserved the arts and crafts that sustained life in the UAE before its modern renaissance. Emirati women, Her Excellency said, played a central role in supporting their families and communities during those times.
Her Excellency Al Falasi emphasised that enabling children and youth to engage with traditions and heritage strengthens family bonds, deepens their understanding and appreciation of their own culture, and enhances their ability to interact with and respect other cultures. This, Her Excellency noted, fosters values of coexistence, tolerance, and respect for peoples and cultures worldwide. Her Excellency called on parents to encourage their children to participate in such activities, which instil loyalty and pride in national identity, and nurture their commitment to preserving its authenticity and distinctiveness.
