Regional Workshop to Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Protection of Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in Southern Africa
On 14 November 1970, the General Conference sixteenth session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), meeting in Paris, adopted the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The treaty is signed to combat the illegal trade of cultural properties from countries of origins.
In this context, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the Namibian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) will host a Regional meeting on the theme “Strengthening Regional Cooperation in the Protection of Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in Southern Africa.” The two-days meeting will be hybrid, to be held from the 27 October, 08h30 – 16h00, and the 28 October 2021, 09h00 – 15h30 via Zoom (Namibian time, link below).
The regional meeting contributes to UNESCO’s continued efforts to raise awareness and understanding on the value of three conventions which oversee the governance of the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The workshop will also draw attention to the two conventions that addresses matters related to illicit trafficking of cultural objects; the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict; and the 1995 International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects.
In addition, the meeting also serves as a platform to encourage further ratification of the three Conventions by African member states that are currently not signatories, and to strengthen and improve collaboration between institutions dealing with the illicit trafficking of cultural property at both national, regional and international levels. The meeting will bring together local, regional and international experts to promote peer to peer learning from countries that have ratified the Conventions.
Honourable Ester Anna-Lisa Nghipondoka, Minister of Education, Arts and Culture of Namibia, will officially open the meeting on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Namibia.
As the meeting is virtual, observers are welcome and can listen into the exchanges. Do not hesitate to join us.
Register in advance for this meeting and obtain the link to join:
https://unesco-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fCMGMPj6Tpq5T48GvygLUA