Activities >> National Seminars


National Seminar, Malawi: Culture: The Spearhead for National Development
Malawi 2003

Place: Lilongwe, Malawi
Dates: 22– 24 July
Partner: Department of Antiquities of Malawi

Backgrund: The national seminar in Malawi was the first of its kind within the framework of the AFRICA 2009 programme. The seminar was held at the request of the Department of Antiquities of Malawi which wished to sensitize decision-makers across a number of sectors within the government as to the importance of taking into account the cultural heritage as part of the development process.

Objectives: The aim of the seminar was to demonstrate the role of culture in national development. The objectives stated in the request submitted by Malawi were to:

• sensitize policy makers and potential stakeholders to take cultural heritage as one sector that can contribute towards national development;
• effectively conserve the cultural heritage in an environmentally friendly manner as one way of boosting sustainable development;
• closely work together with other public and private heritage oriented agencies in order to mobilize financial support for the conservation, research and management of cultural heritage sites and industries.
  

Structure: The seminar covered the topic of cultural heritage, in general, rather than just immovable cultural heritage. It was felt that this broadening of the argument would allow for a richer discussion. The seminar was facilitated on behalf of AFRICA 2009 by George Abungu, who worked with the authorities in Malawi on organization and implementation. Participants of the seminar came from across a wide range of government ministries and agencies including the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Department of Arts and Crafts, the Department of Antiquities, the National Archives, the Censorship Board, the Museums of Malawi, the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Food Security, the Ministry of Planning and Development, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs, and the Copyright Society. The seminar methodology included presentations by the various sectors present, discussions, and group work.

Results:

• 15 participants from Malawi representing a broad spectrum of government ministries and departments participated in the seminar.
• A consolidated document was produced outlining the major issues derived from the group work sessions.
• A final set of recommendations were developed for use by the Malawian authorities to help bring the issue of culture into the larger discussion of national development.