Activities >> Meetings

The Southern African Rock art Project (SARAP) Meeting 2004

Place: Lilongwe, Malawi
Dates: 14 -18 April
Partner: Department of Antiquities, Malawi

Objective of meeting: The objectives of the meeting were to:

• assess the achievements of SARAP from its inception in 1998 to the end of the first phase in 2001;
• review the current state of the process of nomination and management of Southern African rock art sites for World Heritage listing;
• assess commitment of member states for the continuation of SARAP;
• assess the needs for best practice management of rock art in the southern African region; and
• decide on the objectives and strategies for the next phase of the project.
  

Structure: The meeting was structured into two parts. The first section of the meeting was devoted to reports on the current status of Rock Art sites in the counties represented at the meeting. It also reviewed the progress made by the group since its inception in June 1998.

The second part was devoted to how SARAP should work from now on and its new aims. It was noted that tremendous progress had been made so far but more was required in order to ensure sustainable management of the Rock Art sites. Thus a secretariat was set up with a view of providing the group with some administrative structure. The support of Africa 2009 was encouraged

Results:

• 11 countries were represented at the meeting. Most countries represented by their directors.
• A secretariat was set-up
• A series of recommendations and follow-up actions by those present was also indicated.
• A field excursion to Chingoni gave the Directors an opportunity to discuss the practical problems associated with these sites.
• Recommendations agreed on sharing experiences and doing regional projects.

For more information on the meeting, see the report (Pdf 678 KB).