The African Experts’ virtual meeting on sites of Memory and World Heritage Convention in Africa and Inter-Ministerial Meeting
In line with the declaration of the year, 2021 as the year for Arts, Culture, and Heritage at the 33rd African Union Summit of Heads of States and Governments, the Government of South Africa led by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) in partnership with the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), as well as the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), will host a virtual meeting on Sites of Memory and World Heritage Convention in Africa, culminating in an Inter-Ministerial Meeting from 6 - 9 April 2021.
In 2018, during the 42nd World Heritage Committee Meeting held in Manama, Bahrain, divergent views and positions were presented on this issue within the World Heritage community including among African participants. Thus, following the growth of interest in sites associated with memory, and sites associated with memories of recent conflicts, it has brought into focus the need to clarify some aspects relating to their evaluation in the context of the World Heritage Convention. The main objective is to identify key actions forward to improve the current status and to further reflect on the operationalisation of the concept of sites associated with memories of recent conflicts within the framework of the World Heritage Convention in Africa.
The objectives of the planned four-day meeting are for the Expert Meeting on Sites of Memory and the World Heritage Convention in Africa and the Meeting of Ministers of Culture to further reflect on the operationalisation of the concept of sites associated with memories of recent conflicts within the framework of the World Heritage Convention in Africa, determine how best the attributes related to memory in Africa can meet the requirement of World Heritage, and develop a practical framework about sites associated with memories of recent conflicts in Africa.
The events are organised and hosted by the National Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture on behalf of the Government of South Africa in partnership with the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) and will encompass African Ministers, Government Officials, and Experts involved in the management of cultural heritage in Africa.
The structure of the meeting is as follows:
|
Date |
Item |
|
6 – 7 April 2021 |
Experts’ discussion and development of the declaration on Sites of Memory |
|
8 April 2021 |
Presentation of outcomes to Director-Generals (DGs) and Permanent Secretaries (PSs) |
|
9 April 2021 |
Presentation of outcomes to Ministers of Culture in the African Continent |
There will be an opportunity for media to engage with the speakers and ask questions at the Opening Ceremony on 6 April as well as the Closing Ceremony on 9 April. Media is hereby invited to attend and cover the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as follows:
Date: 6 April 2021
Time: 11h00-12h00
Venue: Join Zoom Meeting at, https://zoom.us/j/92953677002?pwd=YjY4MkhCU0lvRUhYK2NuOHB0SC9Sdz09
Meeting ID: 929 5367 7002
Passcode: 520337
Date: 09 April 2021
Time: 11h00 AM Harare, Pretoria
Venue: Join Zoom Meeting at, https://zoom.us/j/99206629881?pwd=aU80L1gxa2RmU1BoNWJLekVITFNhZz09
Meeting ID: 992 0662 9881
Passcode: 572320
NB: Please note to rsvp for coordination.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Minister for Sport, Arts, and Culture, South Africa; to convey a keynote address. The following official authorities are expected to attend: Honourable Barbara Creecy, Minister for Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa, Mr. Vusumuzi Mkhize; Chairperson of AWHF, H.E. Mr. Albertus Aochamub, President of Africa Group at UNESCO; President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS); Director-General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM); Mechtild Rössler, Director of UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC); Mr. Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture; H.E. Ms. Amira El Fadil, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development.
Media RSVP:
Ms. Luyanda Sithole | Partnership officer I African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) | E-mail: luyandas3@dbsa.org Tel: (+27 66 384 1095)
Other inquiries please contact:
Zimasa Velaphi
Head of Communications and Marketing
Email: zimasav@dsac.gov.za
Cell :072 172 8925
Masechaba Khumalo
Spokesperson for Minister
Email: masechabak@dsac.gov.za
cell: 082 858 4415
