Activities >> Seminars

4th Regional Thematic Seminar
Burkina Faso 2003

Cadres législatifs de la conservation du Patrimoine Culturel immobilier

Place: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Dates: 13– 17 October
Partner: Direction du Patrimoine Culturel, Burkina

Background: At the 4th Africa 2009 Directors’ Seminar, it was recommended that a seminar be held on legal frameworks for the conservation of built cultural heritage in French, Spanish and Portuguese speaking Africa, as had been done earlier for the English speaking countries. The Steering Committee approved this recommendation and accepted the invitation of the DPC of Burkina Faso to host the seminar.

Seminar Objectives:

1. Evaluate the current sate of legal frameworks in the Francophone countries of Africa.
2. Identify gaps and problems related to existing texts and complementary or interrelated texts.
3. Identify key issues and propose strategies to improve the current situation.
4. Establish a plan at the regional level for activities that could be supported by AFRICA 2009 to help national initiatives.
   

Structure: The seminar was opened by the Minister of Culture of Burkina Faso. After a general introduction, the seminar began with contributions from the participants, complemented by presentations given by representatives of WAMP, IUCN, and the University of Ouagadougou. Proposed syntheses were then presented and debated, enabling the most important points to emerge, and leading to the organization of four working groups. The rapporteurs of these groups, along with some of the representatives of the Scientific Committee were then charged with drawing up the technical recommendations of the seminar. In parallel, two other groups were formed, one working on general recommendations and the other on motions of thanks to be presented at the closing ceremony.

Results:

• 22 participants from 15 countries and 7 resource persons from 4 countries took part in the seminar, including 7 women.
• A twelve-page text presenting a basic outline and technical recommendations for the drawing up of appropriate national legal standards was produced.
• The seminar enhanced the enthusiasm and skills of participants which will enable them to adopt proactive attitudes towards improving the legal framework in their respective countries.
• General recommendations concerning follow-up action were addressed to the highest authorities in the individual countries, along with AFRICA 2009 and the cultural heritage professionals, themselves.
• Existing links were strengthened between the cultural heritage organizations and AFRICA 2009, including the enhancement of the AFRICA 2009 network.
• A higher profile was given to the Burkina Faso Cultural Heritage Directorate and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism.
  

For more information on the seminar, see the final report (Pdf 2,50 MB).