African heritage can help boost tourism on the continent. However, Africa is experiencing challenges in preserving this heritage due to the illicit trafficking of goods and the destruction of sites, among others.
The Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid (photo, left), and the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay (photo, right), signed on Tuesday 29 November a partnership agreement for the protection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in Africa.
The agreement includes a training component. This component provides for Morocco to share its experience in the protection of archaeological sites with African countries. “The agreement also provides for training officials in the preservation and maintenance of archaeological sites and making them tourist attractions that serve cities economically and socially,” said a statement from the Moroccan ministry.
The training will aim to include new archaeological sites on the World Heritage List. The aim is to contribute to the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property and to the conservation of collections, the establishment of inventories, and the promotion of the role of museums in Africa for societies.
Note that the agreement was concluded on the sidelines of the work of the 17th intergovernmental session for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, which is being held in Rabat until December 2. The event, which examines applications for inclusion in UNESCO’s intangible heritage, placed great emphasis on the transfer of skills as a guarantee of the protection of cultural heritage.
At a time when tourism has become an asset for African economies, safeguarding and promoting heritage must be on the list of priorities. This is because of its ability to attract visitors. However, Africa is the part of the world with the highest number of properties on the List of Heritage in Danger, in addition to the fact that it is also one of the least represented regions on this very list. if it has a rich and diversified cultural heritage.
