United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Office in Nairobi, Kenya

Culture

The principle priority during the current biennium is promoting cultural diversity, with special emphasis on the tangible and intagible heritage. It is also anticipated that updating of cultural policies and the development of cultural industries should be pursued, taking into account the need to promote intercultural and interfaith dialogue. The Member States will be assisted in the field of innovative cultural policy design and its integration into development strategies. Sectoral cultural policies with regard to the development of cultural industries (i.e. crafts and design) will also be developed. Nairobi

At national and sub-regional levels, efforts will be intensified to harness national expertise and build capacities in heritage conservation and management. The search for stronger linkages between cultural policy and intercultural dialogue will have an emphasis on multi-ethnic environments and pre-and post-conflict situations.

For over 30 years, UNESCO has been working with countries around the world to identify World Heritage sites, and to ensure their safekeeping for future generations. Only 68 of those are located in sub-Saharan Africa, and 15 of the 47 sub-Saharan nations have not yet presented a single site to be included in the World Heritage list. Several potential sites to be inscribed and protected are often threatened by vandalism. It is at least very necessary to produce an inventory of these potential sites in sub-Saharan Africa, because they are part of humankind to share, to cherish and respect. Their disappearance would be an irreparable loss to humanity.

UNESCO Nairobi Office has no Programme Officer in Culture at present. Mr. Thomas Schlueter, Programme Specialist for Earth Sciences, currently takes care of activities related to Culture and World Heritage. You can email him at Thomas.Schlueter@unesco.unon.org

For more information on UNESCO Culture activities worldwide go to: http://www.unesco.org/culture/

For information on World Heritage go to: http://www.unesco.org/whc/