The Africa24 Conference was held from November 24-29, 2024 at the Swahilipot Hub Foundation in Mombasa, Kenya. Led by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), it was an international event focusing on the conservation of the built heritage in Africa, with the overarching theme:
The Heritage We Want: Shaping the African Renaissance in a Global Context.
Thoughtful, engaging discussions combined with highlighting new initiatives underlined what was meant by championing 'the heritage we want'. Many thanks to Swahilipot Hub Foundation for partnering with ICOMOS in hosting the event at their spacious, open air venue overlooking the Indian Ocean. Many thanks as well to the sponsors, whose funding and support made this event possible including the UNESCO Regional Office for East Africa; the African World Heritage Fund; SD-WISHEES; the Republic of the Philippines; the National Heritage Council for South Africa and FOPCHEN. Asante Sana to our our Kenyan friends who graciously welcomed us to their city!
Africa24 was held after almost two years of determined, consistent effort, organized by the ICOMOS international scientific committees on Vernacular Architecture (CIAV), Earthen Architectural Heritage (ISCEAH), Cultural Tourism (ICTS), Cultural Landscape (ISCCL), Intangible cultural heritage (ICICH), Energy and Sustainability (ISCES), and ICOMOS working groups: Our Common Dignity Rights-Based Approaches (OCD-RBA) and Emerging Professionals Working Group (EPWG) with the Vice President on the ICOMOS Board representing the Africa Region and the President of the ICOMOS Advisory Committee.
The conference was organized to (1) support African local communities and colleagues working in the fields of vernacular, earthen architecture, cultural landscapes, intangible heritage, cultural tourism, sustainability and rights-based approach to heritage, (2) promote the conservation of the traditional built heritage in Africa, (3) promote education, fight gender inequality, and endorse sustainable development and (4) bring the cultural heritage of Africa in the center of ICOMOS interests and activities.
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| ICTC President Fergus Maclaren welcomes participants to the Africa24 Conference |
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| Mahmoud Noor, Founder & Chief Mentor of Swahilipot Hub Foundation delivers the Welcome Remarks |
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| ICOMOS Director General Marie-Laure Lavenir delivers the Opening Remarks |
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| Dr. Masanori Nagaoka, Programme Specialist for Culture of the UNESCO Regional Office of East Africa delivers the Keynote Address |
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| Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares, Secretary-General of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, delivers a message on behalf of workshop sponsor the Republic of the Philippines |
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| Emily Njeru delivers a message on behalf of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO |
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