ICCROM and the Italian Scuola nazionale del patrimonio e delle attività culturali launch the International Opening Forum of WHAPS – World Heritage in Africa: Processes and Strategies, taking place from 3 to 7 March in Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
WHAPS is a training and international cooperation project which aims to enhance the skills of African cultural heritage professionals as they navigate the complexities of nominating sites to the UNESCO World Heritage Lists and managing heritage sites effectively. This is particularly crucial in the face of growing external threats such as mass tourism and infrastructure expansion.
The International Forum brings together over 60 heritage professionals from 27 countries, including Italy. Hosted by Great Zimbabwe University and the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, the Forum is set against the backdrop of the Great Zimbabwe National Monument—a UNESCO World Heritage Site of outstanding historical and cultural significance as the royal city of the Bantu civilization of the Shona, with its exceptional dry-stone architecture and numerous layers of human settlements.
This setting offers an ideal environment for collaborative learning and knowledge exchange, equipping participants with the expertise to increase Africa’s representation on the UNESCO World Heritage List while underscoring the importance of preserving the continent’s cultural and natural heritage.
The International Forum features plenary sessions and thematic working groups that will examine the nomination process for UNESCO recognition, best practices for site management, and how heritage protection translates into meaningful and lasting benefits for communities.
After the Forum, WHAPS will continue with a six-month mentorship programme, designed to continue strengthening participants' skills and understanding. The training will then conclude in Italy in November 2025 with a final workshop that will reunite participants from both the Forum and the mentorship programme.
This event will serve as a platform for showcasing innovative approaches to heritage management and reinforcing international collaboration, while also fostering further reflection on the urgent need for greater representation of Africa’s rich cultural heritage on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
WHAPS is an ambitious and multifaceted project that seeks to develop a global network of cultural heritage professionals, promote knowledge exchange and best practices in heritage management, and foster intercultural and intergenerational dialogue between conservation experts and the African communities that safeguard World Heritage sites.
"At ICCROM, we are committed to strengthening capacity building as a foundation for effective heritage preservation. Through WHAPS, we are not only equipping site managers with the tools and knowledge needed for long-term conservation but also highlighting the economic and social benefits that heritage can bring to communities. By fostering collaboration and empowering African professionals, we aim to ensure that heritage conservation contributes to developmental outcomes while positioning African heritage management as a model of excellence."
— Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, Director-General of ICCROM
The WHAPS project aligns with the strategic goals of all participating institutions and African countries and is fully consistent with UNESCO’s Conventions on World Heritage and the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Within this framework, WHAPS ensures that heritage protection translates into tangible, long-term benefits for communities worldwide.
