Malawi opened its doors on March 12 to 16 to host a workshop on the implementation of the 2003 Convention in order to strengthen its capacity to safeguard its living heritage.

The workshop, attended by community members and representatives from various institutions including university professionals, Departments of Culture, National Arts Councils, National Museums and Monuments and the National ICH Committees, was part of a series of national workshops rolled out by the UNESCO Harare Cluster Office. It was organised within the framework of the UNESCO/Flanders Funds-in-Trust Project to strengthen national capacities for the implementation of the 2003 Convention in Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In her opening remarks, the Director of Culture, Dr. Elizabeth Gomani-Chindebvu echoed the importance of implementing the Convention and coming up with appropriate policies and legal instruments that provide for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Stephen Chifunyise and Mr. Lovemore Mazibuko, two of the network of experts trained in UNESCO’s “Training of Trainers Workshop.”

For more information please contact: c.mapfumo@unesco.org