( CNN ) -- Libya today is a free Libya , but also a Libya plagued by a sad and violent history , a Libya that has not been able to progress for 42 years . Basic education , health care and infrastructure are integral to Libya 's success and its future . But art and culture can be and should be a huge part of the healing process as well as future development . By integrating art and culture into the core efforts at transition from Moammar Gadhafi 's ruinous rule , we can transcend part of the trauma of war and violence and create a distinct national identity , free of speculation as to old tribal or political allegiances and accepting of the whole of Libyan society . The ruins of Leptis Magna , Sabrata , Cyrene ( also called Shahhat ) and all the other incredible remnants of Libya 's rich history can be an example of the glory of Libya 's past -- but also its hope for the future . Libya 's possibilities are often measured by way of its abundant natural resources , but the revolution this past year has put in perspective Libya 's truest and greatest assets : the courageous Libyan people , their rich multifaceted culture , and the ideals with which they wish to make their place in this world , challenging power that at times has seemed absolute . This was what my father and family tried to articulate to me as a child , growing up in exile . Libyan culture has a long and storied history , dating back to ancient times , influenced by a variety of traditions and peoples who have made their way across the deserts of Cyrenaica , Tripolitania and Fezzan . The majestic ruins that run along the coastline are testament to this history . As I arrived to these sites , seeing the monuments of the Roman and ancient Greek civilizations beside the Mediterranean , I was struck by the ageless beauty of Sabratha , Leptis Magna and Cyrene . But as an art world professional , I was also struck by the lack of preservation surrounding the ruins . Global Heritage Fund is a nonprofit organization that works to preserve cultural sites around the world . GHF projects in Cyrene and Apollonia have stalled as a result of the revolution , but the group has renewed its efforts with the new Libya . GHF has done its utmost to involve Libyans . Students from the universities of Benghazi and Baida were and will be involved in the conservation efforts in the framework of their archaeology management studies . I 've recently been appointed to help GHF set up its Libyan Heritage Trust . We hope that as Libya prospers and grows , the government will recognize the importance of these sites , as a possible boon to the tourism industry but also as a source of economic diversification and patriotic reconciliation . I began working in the art world in 2005 after completing my education at Brown University and the London School of Economics , and my first full-time job was really because of Libya . I worked as a project coordinator for renowned artists Ilya and Emilia Kabakov 's Ship of Siwa , a nonprofit project that brings international artists to Siwa , Egypt , to interact with the local population and produce ephemeral work that is more about creating an experience than an object . Siwa is a mystical desert oasis , possibly home to Alexander the Great 's lost army and Cleopatra 's healing waters . Its proximity to the Libyan border was a huge draw to me . As my family was not allowed to go back to Libya , the closest I had been to Libya at that point was Cairo , so being able to see the rolling dunes crisscrossing the border was an opportunity I could n't pass up . In the end , it was a serendipitous event for me , as I fell in love with the art world and I have since devoted my time , both personal and professional , to helping the development and evolution of arts in the Middle East . I hope that Libya 's development will usher in new forms of expression , and I look forward to seeing how that newfound expression will find its place in the visual arts . I anticipate celebrating contemporary art alongside the ancient monuments and illustrating that Libya can show its maturity , but also its innovation and creativity . Although suffering from a severe deficit of social and physical infrastructure , Libya today is free from tyrannical rule . Its people have the opportunity to design a fit-for-purpose political system , which takes into account Libya 's diverse peoples , tribes and cultures , creating a unique national identity . All Libyans can be proud of Leptis Magna . All Libyans can be proud of their cultural heritage . And through concerted efforts to integrate arts education in to schools and everyday life and preserve these historical sites , this can indeed be a reality . Join us on Facebook/CNNOpinion . The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Alia Al-Senussi .
Arts and culture are key to healing in Libya , Alia Al-Senussi writes . One of Libya 's greatest assets is its courageous people , she says . LIbyans can celebrate contemporary art alongside its ancient monuments , she says . The country has a rich cultural heritage that needs protection from the outside world.