Youth in Africa declare their vision for the future of the World Heritage Convention

As 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, Africa’s youth has shared their vision for The African Youth in the Next 50: the Heritage We Want. To empower the future custodians of World Heritage in Africa, the African World Heritage Fund has organized a Young Leaders workshop, Youth Forum and celebrated Africa Day together with prominent partners of African World Heritage. The events enabled the youth to outline recommendations on heritage sustainability, youth empowerment, education, technology, entrepreneurship etc.

Further in May, AWHF, ICCROM and the Government of South Africa brought 28 young people from across the continent together for the African World Heritage Young Leaders Workshop. The participants shared their vision and aspirations in a declaration and action plan for the future of heritage in Africa called “The Youth Declaration on World Heritage in Africa: The Next 50“. 

“As future custodians, African Youth play a key role in implementing the World Heritage Convention as innovators, changemakers and creatives”, states Souayibou Varissou, Executive Director of AWHF. “The close cooperation between AWHF, ICCROM, UNESCO, EPA and the State Parties has brought together numerous young heritage enthusiasts who shed a new light on the conservation, protection and promotion of African World Heritage. AWHF will continue to invest in the African youth through capacity building programmes, inter-state cooperations and intergenerational collaborations.”