| Summary: |
Africa 2009 is a ten-year capacity building programme launched in
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in 1998. It is the result of a
survey and needs assessment carried out in 1996. The programme is
a joint effort of African cultural heritage organizations, EPA, CHDA,
the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, ICCROM, and CRATerre-ENSAG. It is
rooted in the notion that the problems facing conservation in Africa
must be addressed not only through technical solutions, but also through
a better understanding of the relationship between the immovable cultural
heritage and its social-economic and environmental aspects. The programme
which, closes at the end of 2009, has during its various phases continuously
contributed to the improvement of national capacities in the management
and conservation of immovable cultural heritage in sub Saharan Africa.
Africa 2009 is supported by following sources: Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) through the Swedish National
Heritage Board, the Ministry Foreign Affairs of Norway, Italy, Finland,
UNESCO World Heritage Committee and ICCROM.
A study of national economic policies of various African countries
has shown that most African development policy makers generally
view cultural heritage as a barrier to poverty eradication and economic
development and as a result, most African development policies do
not mention culture or only mention culture in a negative way. Heritage
practitioners on the other hand, argue that cultural heritage can
directly contribute to poverty eradication by acting as a resource
that cultural practitioners and local communities can use to generate
income, create employment for themselves and others, and ultimately
improve living conditions.
Objective:
This seminar seeks to show how preserving and promoting cultural
heritage is fundamental to the eradication of extreme poverty in
Africa and how local communities in these countries can harness
cultural heritage to stimulate sustainable economic growth and,
thus, help meet some of their country’s Millennium Development
Goals. This exchange forum will also identify mechanisms and possible
partnerships for a better use of heritage as a development tool.
Programme:
The seminar programme will allow for the sharing of information,
experiences and ideas on how preserving and promoting cultural heritage
is fundamental to the eradication of extreme poverty, safeguarding
of human rights and sustainable development by examining the relationship
between heritage and:
- Economic development;
- Access to shelter;
- Use of Knowledge and Know how;
- Reinforcing identity, dignity and respect for oneself and others.
- Globalization;
- Way forward.
The first part of the seminar will be dedicated to presentations
(case studies, reflections) by seminar participants on above the
themes. These presentations will then be followed by a plenary session,
group work and discussion to identify and propose possible solutions
and strategies for the formulation of policies that will integrate
culture into economic and human development for poverty eradication.
A visit will be made to a heritage site in Sao Tomé.
Languages:
The working language for the seminar will be French/English with
simultaneous translation.
Participants:
15 to 18 heritage professionals from sub Saharan Africa will be
selected for the seminar.
Applications from qualified women are encouraged.
The Africa 2009 programme will offer successful candidates sponsorship
to cover travel, accommodation and
modest living expenses in Sao Tomé. However each participant
is required to pay a registration fee of $25 (US
dollars). This payment can be done during the seminar.
Applications:
Applicants should submit:
. Duly completed application forms;
. A letter of endorsement from the national Director in charge of
immovable cultural heritage in the applicant’s country;
. A summary of the key points of the applicant’s proposed
presentation.
Deadline:
Completed application documentation should be sent
to the Ecole du Patrimoine Africain (EPA) by 15 January 2009.
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