Culture

Namibia

• © UNESCO/T. Dowson
• Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes

Namibia has one cultural site on the World Heritage List, Twyfelfontein.

It was inscribed in 2007 for its high concentration of rock engravings. Its Tentative List comprised four sites: two natural and two mixed.

Namibia looks to cultural tourism to promote sustainable development, and is accordingly operating on this front with UNESCO and a number of donors. The Slave Route programme, which is aimed at developing tourism of memory, provided the opportunity to list relevant sites and to reflect upon the itineraries devoted to such sites. Another cultural tourism project involves the Namibian Desert ecosystems.

In the field of cultural industries, the emphasis is placed on the defence of copyright and the fight against piracy.

In the field of national heritage, activities consist of identifying all the sites of interest in order to propose them on the country’s Tentative List. In respect of cultural heritage, the dossier of one site has already been presented.

With regard to arts and cultural heritage, the country places emphasis on children’s publishing, music and protection of copyright.

The cultural approach to HIV and AIDS prevention and care also lies at the heart of the concerns of Namibia.