Kenya Hosts UNESCO Conference on Cultural Heritage in Africa
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By John Kariuki
Kenya is currently hosting the UNESCO International Conference on Cultural Heritage in Africa: A Dialogue on Authenticity, bringing together cultural leaders, policymakers, and experts from across the continent at the UN Complex in Gigiri, Nairobi.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Principal Secretary for Culture Ummi Bashir welcomed delegates and highlighted the importance of redefining Africa’s cultural identity amid the pressures of globalization.
“Africa is endowed with vast and vibrant cultural heritage that has, over time, been challenged by the forces of globalization,” said Bashir. “Yet this cultural wealth, if properly harnessed, can drive social cohesion, foster identity, fuel creative economies, empower communities, and inspire future generations.”
As Chair of the Africa Group on the World Heritage Committee, Kenya plays a pivotal role in promoting collaborative strategies to protect and elevate African heritage. The conference serves as a critical platform for addressing the meaning of authenticity in Africa’s diverse cultural narratives, and how these can be preserved in the face of rapid global change.
Participants are engaging in dialogue on how to balance modernization with cultural preservation, with the aim of ensuring that Africa’s heritage continues to contribute meaningfully to both social cohesion and economic development.
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