The inaugural ceremony, hosted by Diriyah Gate Development Authority in the At-Turaif historical district, was attended by almost 100 guests, including Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan.

Alwaleed Cultural Network also held its first meeting at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority.

The networking platform aims to promote tolerance and cross-cultural understanding in an era of transformation and diversification in Saudi Arabia and the world.

Partners will work together to increase collective global impact through a series of projects and online workshops.

Pioneering academic and cultural institutions across North America, Europe, North Africa and Asia, all supported by Alwaleed Philanthropies, have come together under one umbrella to promote education, awareness and Islamic knowledge — recognizing that diverse cultures have remarkable histories and ties in common.

These institutions are Alwaleed Islamic Studies Program, Harvard University (US), Center for American Studies and Research, American University of Beirut (Lebanon), Center For American Studies, American University in Cairo (Egypt), Center for Islamic Studies, University of Cambridge (UK), Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, University of Edinburgh (UK), History of Science Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford University (UK), and Museum of Islamic Art, Pergamon Museum, Berlin.

Princess Lamia bint Majed Saud, secretary-general and member of the board of trustees of Alwaleed Philanthropies, said: “We are deeply grateful to be launching the Alwaleed Cultural Network, which gather patrons of this stature with distinguished philanthropic intel into the world of arts and culture. Alwaleed Cultural Network is an endeavor to actively recognize that culture is indispensable to human existence.

“Through this initiative, we collectively extend an arm to the world and provide opportunities to those who may not have access to concrete infrastructure and resources otherwise. Alwaleed Cultural Network is a platform for mavericks who want to add value to the ever-changing cultural world vernacular. The collaboration is only continuing to grow as we engage in the realm of global cultural discourse for the better good of the next generation of cross-cultural exchange.”

Also present at the opening ceremony were Fahd Al-Samari, general supervisor of the National Center of Archives and Records, and the secretary-general of the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives; Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority; Paola Leoncini Bartoli, director for cultural policies and development, UNESCO Culture Sector; Mona Siddiqui, professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies, University of Edinburgh; Silke Ackermann, director, History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford; Stefan Weber, director of Museum for Islamic Art in the Pergamon Museum; Herman Parzinger president of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation; and Robert Myers, director of the Center for American Studies and Research, American University of Beirut.

A panel discussion titled “Culture as a tool for understanding and development” was organized during the event.

Princess Lamia, Al-Samari, Bartoli, Ackermann and Myers took part in the panel, which was moderated by Siddiqui. Speakers discussed ways in which institutions engage with, and enhance, human culture through education, research and public engagement.