Since joining UNESCO in 1972, two years after the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said took power in Oman, the Sultanate has witnessed significant development in various fields, including culture. This thesis highlights the role of UNESCO in sustaining cultural diversity in Oman over fifty years. The research seeks to answer two questions: how has UNESCO contributed to the development of the cultural scene and cultural diversity in Oman in this period, and what is the relationship between the aims and the outcomes of UNESCO activities in relation to the Sultanate? The study assesses UNESCO's role as a major multilateral actor facilitating collective cultural diplomacy and preserving cultural heritage.
The first part of the thesis explains how UNESCO’s activities are designed to help member states preserve and maintain their cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible. It assesses the effectiveness of UNESCO in relation to member states and discusses the obstacles UNESCO encounters in its effort to carry out its responsibilities. This leads to a discussion of Oman-UNESCO relations, and their impact on Oman’s cultural heritage. The argument of the thesis is supported by empirical research using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The study population included everyone involved in UNESCO's work in cultural affairs relevant to Oman, both in UNESCO headquarters, Paris, and in Muscat. The interviews included a series of questions on the meaning of cultural diplomacy, cultural diversity, tangible heritage and intangible heritage.
A mixed method, qualitative and quantitative, design was used to collect data. A survey questionnaire, with 34 questions, was distributed to 10 main institutions that deal with culture and heritage in Oman. This produced quantitative data that was analysed using SPSS. In addition, 19 semi-structured interviews were conducted in Oman and UNESCO-Paris with some experts from both sides. The results lead to an analysis of themes which include understandings of some UNESCO themes like cultural and natural heritage, tangible and intangible heritage, and cultural diversity.
The findings show that despite many challenges and the financial crisis, UNESCO is an effective instrument of soft power and the strong ties with Oman have mutually facilitated their activities in cultural diplomacy. The results also show that the cultural scene in Oman including sustaining cultural diversity developed strongly in the last five decades and that the Sultanate’s international experience, including membership of UNESCO, helped the country to promote its cultural and natural heritage.