The training workshop for national focal points on periodic reporting under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) concluded in Algiers, Algeria on 29 April 2023.
National Focal Points from Southern Africa are raring to go and eager to complete the elaboration of the periodic reports on time after the 5-day capacity building workshop. The deadline for submission of the periodic reports is 15 December 2023. The national focal points are expected to coordinate teams in their respective countries to put together the reports that should highlight the implementation of the Convention.
Speaking at the end of the workshop which was officially opened by Algeria’s Minister of Culture and Arts, Ms. Soraya Mouloudji, delegates from Southern Africa said the workshop had equipped them with the practical aspects necessary for the elaboration of the Periodic Reports.
Botswana’s National Focal Point, Mr. Tshireletso Modikwa hailed the practical aspects of the workshop saying they will make it easier for countries to elaborate their reports.
The workshop was an eye opener especially when it comes to the practical aspects of going through the form and how we should complete it.
Mr. Modikwa said his country [Botswana] had already started the process of preparing the report and a team was already in place to lead the process.
Ms. Bonsile Ndlangamandla, National Focal Point for Eswatini said the workshop was very productive and she will initiate the periodic reporting process as soon as she gets back to her country. She said she will prioritize setting up a multisectoral technical team to lead the reporting process.
Zambia’s National Focal Point, Mr. Thomas Mambo Mubita emphasized the importance of involving communities in the elaboration of the reports. He said Zambia will ensure that local communities are involved as they are the custodians of intangible cultural heritage. He also noted that he will develop a clear roadmap and budget for the reporting exercise.
Ms. Tokelo Mapena, Lesotho’s National Focal Point said her country will utilize the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee to spearhead the periodic reporting exercise. She said she will train the ICH Committee and District Cultural Officers on periodic reporting so that they support the data collection and elaboration of the report.
Other focal points from Southern Africa shared the same sentiments with all of them ready to kick start the process in time so that they meet the December deadline.
The 5-day workshop, hosted by the Regional Centre for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in Africa (CRESPIAF), a category 2 centre under the auspices of UNESCO, took place from 25-29 April 2023.
The country focal points received training to set up and undertake the periodic reporting exercise in their countries on the implementation of the 2003 Convention in line with the reformed reporting mechanism. The training focused on participatory methodologies for data collection, stakeholder participation in the reporting process and the use of the online form, among others.
The periodic reporting exercise will generate, for the first time, data on safeguarding living heritage in Africa in a systematic manner. The results will feed into the Global Report on Cultural Policies, a commitment adopted by the Ministers of Culture during the 2022 UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development (MONDIACULT).