Activities >> Courses

3rd Technical Course: Strategies and Techniques on Preventive Conservation of Immovable Cultural Heritage

Place: Antananarivo, Madagascar
Dates: 27th June to 22nd July 2005
Partners: Directorate of Cultural Heritage (DPC- Madagascar)

Objectives
To reinforce the capacity of 18 participants working in African cultural institutions in order give competencies to:
- Evaluate the main treats in heritage site and measure the needs in terms of conservation actions;
- Propose appropriate responses to avoid deterioration of the site;
- Define action priorities on the site;
- Implement proposed conservation actions on the site;
- Make recommendations for site stakeholders.

Structure
The course was mainly organized around field exercises and group reflection, based on exchanges with local communities. The course was divided into 4 parts:
1. General introduction to the course;
2. Sites analysis;
3. Proposal of responses and implementation of proposals;
4. Reflection on preventive conservation actions and recommendations for the follow-up of the sites.
Three sites were used for the field exercises. The first was the residence of the former Primer Minister Rainilaiarivony, in Antananarivo. The two other were located in the village of Lazaina: the residence of the Governor Rabeony, and an historical site with different architectural and archaeological components.

Results
• 18 participants from 16 countries (3 Females and 15 Males) attended the course. 11 of then were in their fist participation into Africa 2009 activities;
• The following countries were represented: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Republic of Central Africa, Comores, Congo Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Congo DRC, Guinea Conakry, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Chad, Togo;
• A compilation of presentations made by participants on strategies and techniques of preventive conservation in their countries;
• Report of activities on preventive conservation during the practical exercises on sites;
• Strengthening capacities of the Directorate of cultural heritage of Madagascar by involving 13 staff member in the implementation of the course;
• Awareness of decision makers and local community on the importance of cultural heritage and its conservation;
• Safeguard of two major immovable cultural heritage sites of Madagascar;
• A set of recommendations for heritage institutions and locales communities.