The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) Workshop on World Heritage Interpretation and Presentation in Africa
Deadline: 1st of October, 2023
The International Centre for the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites (WHIPIC) and the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), in partnership with the National Heritage Council of and the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture of Namibia, organizing a Workshop on World Heritage Interpretation and Presentation in Africa to be held in between 31 October and 2 November 2023 in Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (Namibia). This initiative is supported by the Cultural Heritage Administration of the Republic of Korea.
The workshop aims to strengthening the capacities of site managers to develop tools and strategies for presentation and interpretation of World Heritage through participatory processes and the engagement of local communities in Africa.
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. The second phase will consist of in-person workshop at Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes World Heritage Site in Namibia 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 Twyfelfontein.
Case study:
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 form. This experience will be presented during the course 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 same 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
Selection criteria:
Participants for this workshop shall be selected based on the following criteria:
- 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 the working language of the workshop (English);
- Demonstrable good knowledge of the World Heritage Convention and the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the 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;
- The country and gender balance will be prioritised.
Language:
The working language for the workshop is English. Therefore, all the lectures and practical exercises, as well as the interactions with resource persons, will be in English.
Participation cost:
The cost of the participant will be fully covered by WHIPIC, AWHF and the Government of Namibia and shall include roundtrip travel ticket to the workshop, accommodation, meals and local transportation.
Application:
Each applicant should submit the following application package:
- The completed application form which includes:
- Statement of interest (a motivation detailing the applicant’s reasons for applying);
- Presentation of a case study 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.
