As part of their community partnership to empower youth skills, the Girls’ Leadership Center, in cooperation with the National Museum of Qatar, yesterday (Sunday) launched the 2026 edition of the joint “The Museum is Ours” summer camp, held as part of the “Our Summer for Our Youth” summer programme.

The programme targets the 12–18 age group, with the participation of 20 young participants, and aims to open new horizons for them to explore the behind-the-scenes world of museum professions, discover the secrets of preserving Qatar’s national heritage, and strengthen the role of museums as dynamic educational platforms.

On this occasion, Ms. Najla Al Hajri, Head of the Girls’ Leadership Center, stressed the importance of this collaboration, saying: “The launch of the ‘The Museum is Ours’ programme reflects the Center’s vision of empowering young people and equipping them with the leadership and practical skills that prepare them for the future. We are delighted with this fruitful cooperation with the National Museum of Qatar, which provides our members with a unique opportunity to explore the behind-the-scenes work of the cultural and museum sectors and to contribute effectively to preserving our national heritage and strengthening Qatari identity among the promising generation.” The first day’s activities were launched under the theme “A Journey Through Guidance and Education”, during which participants took part in an interactive field experience that began with an introductory tour of the Museum’s open galleries. They learned about the role of the museum guide, the skills required for the profession, and the methods used in preparing research related to historical artefacts. The activities continued with a practical workshop organized by the Education Department, during which participants assumed the role of museum educators by designing innovative educational cards for artefacts, promoting creative and interactive approaches to presenting knowledge.

The programme will continue until July 30th through a series of training modules that allow participants to gain first-hand experience in various museum specializations. On July 27th, the “Secrets of Archaeology and Heritage Preservation” module will introduce participants to the world of archaeology through an interactive workshop where they will learn about excavation methods and collections management, with a unique opportunity to handle archaeological artefacts directly, before taking part in a practical session with the Collections Conservation Team to explore the scientific principles of artefact restoration and preservation.

On July 29th, the programme will dedicate a day to the theme “Visitor Services and Librarianship”, during which participants will experience the behind-the-scenes operations of the Museum, from welcoming visitors and managing ticketing services to simulating the work of librarians and learning about book classification systems, lending procedures and the organization of cultural events.

The programme will conclude on July 30th with the theme “Making Ancient Tools and Community Awareness”, featuring an exclusive film presented by Mr. Faisal Al Nuaimi, Director of the Department of Archaeology, highlighting the history and techniques of manufacturing flint tools and ancient arrowheads. The day will conclude with a practical leadership experience in which participants will organize and manage a public event inside the Museum entitled “Decorating Vases”, putting into practice the skills they acquired throughout the programme.