The training-of-trainers workshop for new members of the 2003 Convention’s global network of facilitators from Africa and the Arab States took place in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, from 11 to 15 September 2023. The workshop was organized by the UNESCO Beirut Office, in collaboration with the Living Heritage Entity, and with the generous support of the International Centre for Capacity Building in Intangible Cultural Heritage in the Arab States (ICCBICH, a category 2 center under the auspices of UNESCO).

As part of the global expansion of the facilitators network, the workshop trained 25 new facilitators from 16 countries across Africa and the Arab States on core concepts, methodologies and mechanisms of the Convention. The workshop aimed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to support the implementation of the 2003 Convention’s global capacity-building programme. It furthermore contributed to the strengthening of the Arab States and Africa chapters of the global facilitators network through the exchange of good practices and peer-to-peer learning.