THEME: “Safeguarding Africa’s Heritage Through Education”
Date: 5 MAY 2024
Venue: African Continent and Diaspora
Proclaimed by the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO (November 2015), African World Heritage Day (AWHD) on 5th of May is an opportunity for people around the world and particularly Africans, to celebrate the continents outstanding cultural and natural heritage. Under the theme Safeguarding Africa’s Heritage Through Education the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) invites Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations, civil society, the private sector, heritage professionals, local community organizations, universities, youth and women to organise activities and events to celebrate the 2024 AWHD.
GOALS OF THE CELEBRATION
- To raise awareness about the importance of Africa’s diverse natural and cultural heritage and to encourage people to take an active role in its conservation for the benefit of present and future generations.
- To encourage appreciation, ownership and participation of the various stakeholders in the preservation and promotion of African heritage.
- To promote international cooperation and regional integration between African countries to protect and manage shared heritage, to bridge cultural divides and to promote mutual respect and understanding between different communities.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
The call is open to organizations and individuals across the African continent and in the diaspora interested in the conservation and promotion of Africa’s cultural and natural heritage including:
- Government and non-governmental organizations.
- Civil society including the private sector, youth, women and local community organizations.
- Professionals working in heritage related fields (natural and cultural heritage, media, tourism, education, etc).
- The academic community (staff and students) and UNESCO-Chairs.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
- Heritage education activities designed to promote an understanding and appreciation of cultural and natural heritage (e.g. guided tours for school children, storytelling sessions, workshops and demonstrations, heritage trails, etc).
- Public debates, lectures and seminars either online, or in-person at public spaces, educational institutions cultural centres and heritage sites.
- Promote heritage in the media through newspapers, magazines, blogs, television, radio broadcast and social media.
- Guided tours and visits to natural and cultural sites (including museums) possibly with free admission or reduced entrance fees.
- Temporary exhibitions (photos, painting, drawings, etc) in public spaces and institutions to celebrate Africa’s natural and cultural heritage.
- Competitions (e.g. photo/video contest, heritage games and quizzes) on digital platforms such as websites and social media platforms.
- Awarding prizes to organizations or individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to conservation of cultural and natural heritage in Africa.
- Publication of books, post-cards, stamps, posters promoting Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage.
- Awareness raising activities amongst schoolchildren and the youth (e.g. poetry/drawing/painting competitions).
- Cultural events such as open-air cinema, theatre and/ or theatrical performances, concerts, performing arts.
POSSIBLE THEMES TO BE ADDRESSED
- Heritage Education
- Heritage Management and Conservation
- Heritage and Regional/International Cooperation
- Traditional Management of Heritage Sites
- Heritage, Climate Change and Resilience
- Heritage in Conflict and Post-conflict situations and Peace Building
- Local Communities (Youth and Women) Involvement in Heritage Management
- Heritage Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Tourism
- Heritage Promotion and Awareness
- Heritage and Digital Technologies and Innovation
- Heritage Legislation and Public Policy
- African Heritage and Diasporic Communities
- Heritage and Pan-African Consciousness
- Modern Heritage of Africa
- Reimagining the Futures of African Heritage: Sustainable Development Goals (2030) & African Union Agenda 2063 (Africa we want).
SHARE WITH AFRICA
To maximise the visibility of these AWHD celebrations, participants are encouraged to:
- Engage local, national and international media (radio, television) as well as institutional websites and social media platforms to increase the buzz about the African World Heritage Day.
- Share information about African World Heritage Day celebrations plans/programs with the Africa World Heritage Fund to be profiled on the Fund’s website and social media platforms. The information should be sent to Ms Precious Mothiba at the AWHF via email preciousm@dbsa.org by 26 April 2024.
CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
English
Arabic
French
Portuguese
Spanish
Swahili
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