Within the framework of Africa 2009 Programme, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, ICCROM, CRATerre-EAG and African cultural heritage organizations are organizing a Directors Seminar on Conservation and management of African immovable cultural heritage sites associated with the slave trade in Sub-Saharan Africa. The seminar has been set up to celebrate the 2004 International year to commemorate the struggle against slavery.

The seminar, which is planned for Porto-Novo (Benin) from 14 – 19 November 2004, is organized with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) , the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) , the Swedish National Heritage Board , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland , ICCROM , and the World Heritage Fund .