CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
Workshop on the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage in Africa
12 – 14 October, 2026, Online
16 – 20 November, 2026, Senegal
Deadline for Application: 04 October 2026
1. Background
World Heritage interpretation and presentation refers to the processes and methods of communicating the values and significance of a World Heritage site to local communities, visitors and the wider public. Interpretation and presentation are critical for the conservation and management of World Heritage sites to ensure that they are valued, protected, and appreciated by both present and future generations. Effective interpretation and presentation also involve the sharing of knowledge and information among stakeholders, including local communities, tourism operators, and other relevant organizations. Collaborative and participatory approaches are essential to ensure that the interpretation and presentation are culturally appropriate, sustainable, and respectful of the site’s values and the rights of its stakeholders. Interpretation and presentation of World Heritage sites play a vital role in promoting understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of cultural and natural heritage, sustainable tourism and ensuring its continuity and viability for current and future generations.
In 2022, the International Centre for the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites, under the auspices of UNESCO (WHIPIC), was officially inaugurated as one of UNESCO’s Category 2 institutes. WHIPIC was established to promote the understanding and protection of World Heritage through inclusive interpretation and presentation. WHIPIC believes that heritage interpretation and presentation are critical components of World Heritage processes aiming at ensuring sustainable conservation and management of sites. This vision is aligned with the priorities identified by World Heritage site managers as expressed in the Framework of the Third Cycle Action Plan in the African Region and the Arab States (2021-2027). Effective management of World Heritage in the African continent requires strengthening the capacities of key stakeholders to develop strategies and plans, including for presentation and interpretation, through participatory processes and the engagement of local communities, including women and youth, in all processes concerning the protection, conservation and promotion of World Heritage. True to its mandate to supports the effective conservation and preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value in Africa, the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) thrives to assist African States Parties to strengthen the capacities on heritage professionals in the interpretation and presentation of World Heritage.
It is within this nexus of concerns and framework that WHIPIC and AWHF are co-organizing the fourth edition of the Workshop on the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites in Africa to be held Online, between 5 – 7 October 2026, and in-person in Senegal between 16 and 20 November 2026. This initiative is supported by the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea and will be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Crafts, and Tourism.
2. Objectives
This workshop aims to strengthen the capacities of heritage practitioners to develop tools and strategies for interpretation and presentation of World Heritage sites in Africa through participatory processes and the involvement of local communities in Africa. The workshop will also help to improve understanding amongst key stakeholders about the attributes and values of World Heritage Sites within the framework of the World Heritage Convention.
Specifically, the workshop aims to:
- Undertake a stakeholder’s driven assessment of the key issues concerning the interpretation and presentation of World Heritage in Africa;
- Increase awareness and better understanding amongst key stakeholders about the critical role of interpretation and presentation for sustainable conservation and management of World Heritage properties in Africa.
- Create the basis for the development of sustainable strategies and plans for interpretation and presentation of towards promotion of sustainable tourism and community-based conservation and management of World Heritage in Africa.
- Enhanced cross-cultural and regional dialogue and collaboration among heritage professionals from Asia, Africa and Arab States regions to find tools and strategies to enhance interpretation and presentation towards sustainable conservation and promotion of World Heritage.
3. Format of the Workshop
The Forum will comprise two phases. The first phase will be an online session focusing on the theoretical premises and background concerning interpretation and presentation of World Heritage (e.g., World Heritage Convention and the Operational Guidelines, the Outstanding Universal Values and heritage management processes [Heritage Impact Assessment], community engagement in conservation and management of World Heritage, heritage interpretation and presentation theories and principles, heritage interpretation and presentation in practice. The virtual workshop will also allow participants to briefly present the profiles of their World Heritage properties concerning status quo of interpretation and presentation. At the end of the online session, participants will be given an assignment to improve their case study (i.e., work on presentation and interpretation of their sites). The second phase will consist of in-person workshop at the Island of Gorée World Heritage property where participants will have the opportunity to engage in practical exercises and further the theoretical discussions focusing on a specific case study. This phase will comprise site visits and engagement with key stakeholders at the World Heritage Site.
4. Case studies
Each participant is required to submit a case study (approximately 500 words) describing a heritage site with which they have experience as a part of the application. This experience will be presented during the course of the Workshop and will give participants a chance to become better acquainted with World Heritage in the region.
The case study must contain, at a minimum, the following sections, under the headings:
- Description of the site (World Heritage context)
- Conservation, management, interpretation, and presentation of the property
- Challenges facing the property regarding interpretation and presentation.
- Good practices in the interpretation and presentation of the property
5. Selection criteria of participants
Participants for this workshop shall be selected based on the following criteria, considering gender and geographic representation balance:
- Have at least 5 years of experience working in the field of cultural and/or natural heritage, including World Heritage area;
- Be fluent (speaking, reading and writing) in one of the working languages of the workshop (English and French);
- Demonstrable good knowledge of the World Heritage Convention and the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention;
- Experience in heritage conservation and management, interpretation and presentation, research, data analysis and report writing in the field of cultural and/or natural heritage;
- Be motivated, active and interested in engaging in the field of World Heritage;
6. Languages
The working languages of the workshop are English and French. All lectures, practical exercises, participants’ presentations, and interactions with resource persons will therefore be conducted in one of these two languages. Simultaneous interpretation between English and French will be provided during both the online and in-person phases of the workshop.
7. Participation cost
The cost of the participant will be fully covered by WHIPIC, AWHF and the Ministry of Culture, Crafts, and Tourism; and shall include roundtrip travel ticket to the workshop, accommodation, meals and local transportation.
8. Application procedure
Each applicant should submit the following application package:
- The completed application form which includes:
- A motivation letter (approximately 500 words) detailing the applicant’s reasons for applying (section G of the application form);
- Presentation of a case study (section H of the application form) including all the elements outlined in Section 4 of this call. If successful, the case study will be presented during the workshop.
- Curriculum Vitae (maximum 4 pages) outlining the applicant’s current position, qualifications, areas of expertise, work experience in the field of cultural and/or natural heritage including on World Heritage, publications/reports.
- A letter of support from employer granting the applicant permission to attend workshop and confirming the employer’s willingness to support the applicant in follow-up assignments (e.g., writing of essay on the case study for publication) as part of this Programme, if the applicant is selected.
9. Contact
The application package (including all supporitng documents) should be submitted ONLINE, via this link: Click Here To Apply
Closing Date: 04 October 2026.
For any queries regarding the application process please contact the Programme Specialist at the AWHF, Lungelo Dube (LungeloD@dbsa.org) with cc to Ms. Sujin Heo (Programme Specialist, Education and Networking Office, WHIPIC): sj.heo@unesco-whipic.org
