An oral history and heritage workshop

By Denise Navarro

HerMaP Mexico, HERIΤΛGE’s major initiative to support cultural heritage in Mexico’s northern border states  is now in full motion. After crossing the six-month mark of the project, we carried out an intensive, month-long field visit across four states  of Mexico’s northern border: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. This on-site engagement allowed us to strengthen partnerships, deliver specialized training, and continue mapping capacity needs across the region.

Throughout the visit, we engaged with a wide range of stakeholders who have been progressively involved in the project. These included representatives from local and federal government bodies, universities, key institutional partners such as the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, and, crucially, community-led initiatives and associations working on the ground to safeguard heritage.

At this stage of the project, the numbers reflect the momentum and progress achieved so far, as well as the strong interest and commitment of heritage professionals and practitioners in northern Mexico:

• Two workshops on Oral History and Heritage have been delivered
• 40 professionals have been trained
• One formal collaboration agreement has been signed
• Two radio programs have been recorded
• Three talks were delivered to university students in tourism, arts, and social project management in the “Heritage Days” Program of Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (UABC)
• More than 50 students have been reached through these talks
• One heritage community networking workshop was conducted
• 80+ applications have been received for the grants program
• 100 stakeholders have been mapped through the ongoing mapping process

Beyond these quantitative results, we have witnessed a deep and inspiring commitment across all sectors to the safeguarding, promotion, and sustainable use of local heritage as a driver for development.

The northern border of Mexico is extraordinarily rich and diverse. Its heritage spans marine and coastal landscapes, vast desert and sierra ecosystems, and vibrant cultural expressions rooted in centuries-old traditions. This diversity also includes significant industrial heritage: factories, railways, mining sites, and infrastructure that tell the story of the region’s economic and social transformations. Together, these tangible and intangible elements form a complex and layered cultural landscape.

Through our conversations with heritage practitioners, community leaders, and institutional actors, we have gained a deeper understanding not only of this richness, but also of the challenges that shape the region today. These include issues of preservation, resource allocation, security and the need to balance development with the protection of cultural identity.

We are excited to continue building on the strong collaborations established during this first phase. We remain deeply grateful for the generosity, hospitality, and openness we have encountered, which have been instrumental in reaching these important milestones.

In the coming months, we will expand our activities with a new series of online trainings focused on community engagement and economic development, tailored specifically to the context of the six northern border states and delivered in Spanish.

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The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) is pleased to announce the establishment of its Advisory Board, a new body  of respected professionals and cultural advocates, committed to preserving and advancing cultural heritage worldwide.

The Advisory Board is a dedicated leadership and networking platform that will actively support HERITΛGE’s mission. Its members will contribute through advocacy, fundraising and event initiatives, community building, and by bringing forward fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to strengthen the organization’s global work.

With diverse regional perspectives and professional backgrounds, this new body reflects HERITΛGE’s commitment to engaging the next generation of leaders for the cultural heritage sector.

We are delighted to welcome the inaugural members of the Advisory Board: Achile Tenkiang, Carmen Thiam, Dr Fafa Addo Boateng, Dr Pascal Gally, Lorenzo Olivi, Serge Kavege, Achilleas Stamatiadis, andTucci Ivowi.

As part of the Advisory Board, members will play an active role in co-organizing high-profile events, strengthening HERITΛGE’s global community, and contributing to initiatives that promote the sustainable management of cultural heritage. At the same time, the platform offers opportunities for professional growth, leadership development, and meaningful engagement with a global network of peers and sector leaders.

We look forward to working closely with our Advisory Board members as we continue to empower heritage professionals and communities around the world.

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From an activity by Red Rocks Rwanda, supported with one of our small grants for African heritage projets Copyright: Red Rocks Rwanda

HERITΛGE is proud to announce the launch of Heritage Initiatives Rwanda CBC (HIRWA), a new member of the HERITΛGE extended ecosystem and network in Rwanda.

In line with HERITΛGE’s founding principles, HIRWA is locally managed by a board, ensuring that decisions, priorities, and programmes are shaped by those closest to the country’s heritage and communities. The HIRWA board member are: Gregory Bakunzi, Alice Kamasoni, Cedrick Shema Kabagambe, and Eirini Oikonomidi.

HIRWA aspires to see Rwanda’s cultural heritage safeguarded, celebrated, and sustainably activated as a living source of knowledge, community identity, creativity, resilience, and inclusive economic development for present and future generations. The initiative brings together community engagement, research, education, training, and sustainable development approaches to support the protection and valorisation of heritage across the country. It will also advocate for heritage at local, national, and international levels, while providing policy advice and technical expertise to governments, intergovernmental organisations, and international partners.

The launch builds on HERITΛGE’s long-standing engagement across sub-Saharan Africa. Between 2023 and 2025, HERITΛGE delivered 30 workshops to 771 participants, signed 20 Memoranda of Understanding, and gathered more than 1,100 responses to its Mapping Capacity in Heritage Management survey across the continent. During the same period, HERITΛGE has been working in Africa since 2018. The organization has provided small grants to more than 70 heritage projects across the continent, having received over 2,600 applications for this support, reflecting both the scale of need and the growing demand for heritage capacity-building initiatives and funding across the region.

Heritage Initiatives Rwanda will operate as an independent, locally rooted organisation within the HERITΛGE network, drawing on more than a decade of capacity-building expertise across 38+ countries. As part of this wider ecosystem, some of its activities may also be presented under the Heritage Management Organization network identity.

“We believe heritage is strongest when communities themselves lead its stewardship and future direction. The establishment of Heritage Initiatives Rwanda reflects a shared commitment to locally rooted heritage management, community engagement, and sustainable development,” Eirini Oikonomidi, Project manager, Rwandan projects, noted on behalf of the organization. 

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Laas Geel Somaliland. Credit: Najeeb

By Pavlina Bafas

For more than three decades, Somaliland has functioned as a de facto state, maintaining relative peace, democratic governance, and its own institutions, despite lacking international recognition. Recent developments -most notably Israel’s recognition of Somaliland(1), have reignited discussions surrounding the right to self-determination and intensified regional and international responses. In reaction, a joint statement issued by more than twenty predominantly Middle Eastern and African states, together with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, rejected Israel’s recognition, citing its potential repercussions for peace and security in the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea region, and the broader international order(2). While debates around recognition mainly focus on security, politics and economics, one area that receives far less attention is cultural heritage. Given the pronounced geopolitical implications of Somaliland’s secessionist tensions, why in this article do we examine it through the lens of its heritage?  

It is notable that much of the recent literature on the Somali political crisis relies on reductive assumptions that portray Somali society as culturally homogenous and uniquely driven by clan-based conflict. Such analyses overlook the historical and social complexities of Somali political reality. As some researchers argue(3), the notion of a “mono-culture” Somali identity is a myth constructed by outsiders, obscuring long-standing divisions—particularly between northern nomadic pastoralists and southern agro-pastoralists with distinct cultural, social, and linguistic structures.  In particular, Somaliland is home to a great range of cultural heritage assets, from prehistoric rock art sites to Islamic architecture, historic port towns like Berbera, and vibrant intangible heritage including poetry, music, and oral traditions(4). Besides cultural heritage, Somaliland counts numerous natural heritage sites and a rich wildlife like the famous Somali cheetahs(5).

Despite this wealth of heritage, Somaliland’s lack of international recognition has historically made formal global protection (such as UNESCO World Heritage listing) difficult, meaning national and local mechanisms have had to take the lead. Looking at an up-to-date picture of how heritage management works in Somaliland, we could recognize that the Somaliland governing authority has strengthened its cultural policies and institutional frameworks, even though many responsibilities are shared with local communities, NGOs, museums, and external partners(6).

Initially, Somaliland’s heritage management is not highly centralized in the classic western sense (with one dominant national body only), but there are formal government structures responsible for it such as the Department of Archaeology Protection and Indigenous Arts Promotion (under the Ministry of Trade and Tourism) that now leads much of the heritage policy, planning, conservation, and promotion work, including research and site protection initiatives. Working alongside this Department, the Horn Heritage Foundation, an NGO, assisted the Somaliland government in drafting new heritage legislation. More specifically, this Act incorporates key principles from major international agreements, particularly the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its Second Protocol, as well as the 1970 Convention aimed at preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property(7).

Moreover, a separate Department of Culture supports broader cultural activities like music, theatre, and arts and is therefore responsible for most intangible heritage. Government policies include procedures to safeguard heritage during development projects. A major example is the $2 million heritage conservation and development project funded by the French Development Agency (AFD). This initiative focuses on protecting key archaeological sites like Laas Geel  — the most famous rock art complex, while building local capacity for heritage management, and integrating sustainable tourism as an economic driver(8). It is worth noticing that “no Agence Française de Développement (AFD, French Development Agency) activities are envisaged in Somalia in the short term, and no Treasury implements are now available to the country.  In the humanitarian field, France provided aid of €4.8 million in 2017, while Somaliland is the primary destination of our bilateral assistance to Somalia.”  (9) Another great project was the inauguration of the Somaliland National Museum in Hargeisa in July 2024, providing a central space for preservation, research, and public education(10, 11). This autonomous public service is evidence that the central Somali government is not involved in Somaliland’s heritage management. 

Regardless of the notable progress, particularly community empowerment and tourism development, obstacles still exist and are mostly related to institutional strength and international recognition. Guenther Wirth, president of Heritage Somaliland and working on Somaliland for almost three decades, provided us an overview of protected areas in Somaliland, a topic, as he states, remains difficult to define within the country’s current context. At the governmental level, responsibility for such areas is distributed across several institutions (three Ministries). While each of these bodies plays a role in matters related to conservation, protected areas have not emerged as a clear national priority. This situation is further complicated by limited institutional capacity, which constrains effective administration and management. Also, in certain cases, local communities or NGOs have taken an interest in preserving specific sites. Despite these efforts, it is widely believed that only a few of these areas benefit from consistent management, adequate protection, or sustained oversight(12).

Recognition has the potential to transform Somaliland’s heritage management system into one that is both legally empowered and internationally connected, but this transformation would not be automatic. Recognition would allow Somaliland to formally engage with UNESCO, ICOMOS, ICCROM, and other global heritage bodies, enabling access to training, expertise, and international standards. It would also increase opportunities for research collaboration and technical conservation support. However, it’s important how effectively Somaliland strengthens its domestic institutions, allocates resources, and builds professional capacity. Also, it provides the tools and access, but meaningful transformation requires political commitment and long-term planning. Additionally, as Somaliland is placed in a high position, concerning illegal trafficking (i.e. cheetahs), the intervention of international bodies could enhance the combat of this phenomenon. 

The potential benefits are significant. Recognition could unlock international funding, increase visibility for Somaliland’s heritage sites, and support sustainable cultural tourism. It would also give Somaliland greater control over how its history and identity are represented globally. However, recognition also carries risks. Increased tourism and international attention may place pressure on fragile sites, while donor-driven agendas could overshadow local values and priorities. There is also a risk that heritage management could become overly centralized or technocratic, sidelining community-based traditions and intangible heritage. Balancing economic opportunities with cultural integrity would therefore be essential. 

Last but not least, international recognition of Somaliland would also be shaped by significant geopolitical and internal political risks that directly affect cultural heritage management. Regionally, recognition could heighten tensions with Somalia and neighboring states, potentially politicizing heritage sites as symbols of sovereignty rather than shared history. Geopolitical rivalries in the Horn of Africa may influence funding priorities and international engagement, making heritage support uneven or strategically driven. Internally, recognition could shift political power dynamics, leading to competition over control of heritage institutions, resources, and narratives. If not carefully managed, these pressures could undermine inclusive, community-based heritage protection and instead turn cultural heritage into a contested political tool. 

* Pavlina Bafas is an early-career researcher collaborating with the Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE). Her academic interests focus on geopolitics, energy, and cultural diplomacy.

** The views and opinions expressed in Opinion Pieces featured on the HERITΛGE website, including this article, are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE), its partners, or affiliated institutions.

Footnotes

1. BBC Somali (30 Dec. 2025) Why Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state is controversial . https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14v4kmg275o 
2. Agrican Security Analysis. (28 Dec. 2025) Implications of Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland’s Independence. https://www.africansecurityanalysis.com/reports/implications-of-israel-s-recognition-of-somaliland-s-independence 
3. Mukhtar, M. H. (1996). The plight of the Agro‐pastoral society of Somalia. Review of African Political Economy, 23(70), 543–553. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 03056249608704222 
4. Ahmed, I. I., & Green, R. H. (1999). The Heritage of War and State Collapse in Somalia and Somaliland: Local-Level Effects, External Interventions and Reconstruction. Third World Quarterly, 20(1), 113–127. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3993185 
5. Guenther Wirth, pers. com., March 2026
6. Mohamed H. Jama (Former Deputy Area Manager and Head of Project at Welthungerhilfe. Former Consultant for Early Warning Technical Advisor at Nordic International Support foundation Seconded to National Disaster Preparedness and Food Reserve Authority , pers. com., March 2026 
7. Somaliland’s Heritage Law.   https://www.hornheritage.org/the-somaliland-heritage-law/  
8. Protection and promotion of Somaliland’s archaeological heritage. (Nov. 2024) https://www.expertisefrance.fr/en/projects/protection-and-promotion-somalilands-archaeological-heritage 
9. https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/information-by-country/somalia/france-and-somalia (Accessed 20 Apr. 2026)
10.  Inauguration of the Somaliland National Museum: Celebrating Cultural Heritage and National Pride (Jun. 2024) https://somalilandnation.com/2024/06/29/inauguration-of-the-somaliland-national-museum-celebrating-cultural-heritage-and-national-pride/ 
11. https://somalilandcentral.com/museum/
12.  Guenther Wirth, pers. com., March 2026

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A team of women working for the creation of the Imanzi Heritage Village In Rwanda. The project has received a small grant from our HerMaP Africa program.

On Wednesday 22 April 2026, HERITΛGE hosted the 8th Online Network Convening of the HerMaP Africa programme, bringing together grantees, partners, and supporters for a dynamic two-hour online session focused on exchange, reflection, and collaboration. Held via Zoom, the convening welcomed over 40 active participants.

The session opened with welcoming remarks from Richard A. Brown, followed by reflections from Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis, who noted that while this marked the final convening in the current series, further gatherings are already being planned for later in the year. Coordination efforts will continue through the HERITΛGE networking task force, reinforcing the organisation’s commitment to sustained community-building.

At the heart of the convening were project presentations from grantees across Africa. 12 invited projects, from Kenya, Rwanda, and Sourth Africa, presented their work. The presentations offered a compelling snapshot of the diversity and ambition of initiatives supported through HerMaP Africa and HERITΛGE’s fiscal sponsorship model.

Projects ranged from the establishment of cultural heritage centres in Kenya and Namibia to community museums and agro-tourism initiatives in Rwanda, as well as efforts to revitalise rural communities through sustainable heritage tourism. Additional presentations highlighted initiatives such as the creation of a cultural space in the Ndiyona Constituency in Namibia and the Pan African Solidarity School (PASS) in Kenya, expanding the programme’s reach into education, cultural exchange, and grassroots capacity building.

Several Rwandan projects showcased a strong focus on cultural infrastructure and innovation, including the upgrading of the Rwanda Art Museum, the development of cultural hiking trails in Nyanza, and the creation of studios dedicated to preserving performance traditions.

Across presentations, a shared emphasis emerged: the importance of linking heritage preservation with community development, tourism, and local economic resilience. Many projects demonstrated how heritage can serve not only as a cultural asset but also as a driver of sustainable livelihoods and social cohesion.

The session concluded with an open group discussion, allowing participants to exchange feedback, identify common challenges, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

As HerMaP Africa continues to evolve, convenings like this remain central to HERITΛGE’s approach: supporting projects not only through funding, but by fostering connection, shared learning, and collective impact across the continent.

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Academic Days 2026 at UABC. Photos: Eliott Blanco

HERITΛGE co-organized the Academic Days 2026: Heritage in Action: Social Innovation and Cultural Development from the Community, held from March 17–20, 2026 at the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC).

The event formed part of HerMaP Mexico and was developed with partners at UABC. It brought together students, researchers, cultural practitioners, and community actors to explore the role of cultural heritage as a driver of social innovation and community development.

The Academic Day provided a dynamic platform for reflection, dialogue, and the exchange of experiences through a series of conferences, workshops, and academic activities. Discussions focused on how cultural heritage can contribute to community-based development, strengthen local identities, and support innovative social initiatives.

Denise Navarro, HerMaP Mexico Program Manager at HERITΛGE, participated in the event, contributing to conversations on community-centered approaches to heritage management and the importance of linking academic knowledge with practical applications.

As a co-organizer, HERITΛGE contributed to shaping the academic program and facilitating dialogue between international expertise and local perspectives. The organization’s involvement through HerMaP Mexico reflects its commitment to building bridges between academia and the cultural heritage sector.

HERITΛGE extends its gratitude to the Master’s Program in Social Projects UABC, the Faculty of Administrative and Social Sciences UABC, and the Faculty of Arts UABC Ensenada for hosting and co-organizing the event. HERITΛGE also thanks Professor [Name] for the invitation and collaboration.

Advancing the HerMaP Mexico Initiative

The Academic Days forms part of the broader activities of HerMaP Mexico, a multi-year initiative led by HERITΛGE. The program aims to strengthen cultural heritage management across Mexico’s northern border states through training, sector mapping, networking, and support for community-led projects.

As part of this initiative, HerMaP Mexico is currently accepting applications for grants supporting cultural heritage projects in the region, offering funding to organizations, collectives, and individuals working to protect and promote local heritage.

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The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) announces the appointment of its new Board of Directors.

We warmly welcome our incoming board members: Cliff Pearlman (Chair), Edward Mitterand (Secretary), Evan Sekeris (Treasurer), Harriet Chebet Ng’ok, and Derwin Johnson. Together, the new Board brings a wealth of expertise spanning nonprofit law, global arts and cultural leadership, economic policy and financial systems, sustainable enterprise and community-driven innovation, and international communications.

Several of its members have worked in various capacities with HERITΛGE and they have all long supported the organization’s mission.

“We are confident that the Board’s experience, insight, and commitment will help guide the organization into its next chapter,” said HERITΛGE Director, Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis. “Their combined experience strengthens HERITΛGE’s capacity to operate at the intersection of culture, policy, and global development.”

The Organization would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our outgoing board members. Their dedication, guidance, and contributions have been instrumental in shaping HERITΛGE’s growth and impact over the years. We thank them for their service and wish them all the very best moving forward. They will continue to be valued members of the HERITΛGE community and remain close to our mission.

As we mark this transition, we look forward to building on our shared vision and continuing our work to empower heritage professionals and communities worldwide.

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Elif Aydin | PhD Researcher & Cultural Heritage Professional | Belgium

Which HERITΛGE training did you attend?

The Engaging Communities for Cultural Heritage Summer Field School in Paros, in 2024.

Was the training an opportunity to enhance your connection with your peers?

Very much. Both as young professionals and as friends, we had the opportunity to discover different aspects of project management in the heritage sector together. We were working in groups, but not in a way that separated us (rather, as groups that were constantly sharing, exchanging, and discovering together). The workshop itself is designed for you to explore as a group but ultimately digest the experience as one.

In that sense, spending that whole time together naturally creates a bond, as you develop your skills side by side. Also, since everyone comes from diverse backgrounds (both culturally and in terms of professional fields) it kind of builds a network that goes beyond our own circles, that allowing us to connect more broadly.

Has the training contributed towards the improvement of your career?

Indirectly, in many ways. I can’t say that having this certificate directly led me to a specific job, but I do think it has shaped my perspective and the way I approach my work. Especially when it comes to community engagement, it helped me develop a mindset where I can question and evaluate whether what we are doing truly reflects that concept. In that sense, by improving how I assess and approach my work, I think it has definitely contributed to increasing the overall quality of what I do.

Do you feel that your ability to perform relevant tasks has improved?

Apart from general research skills, I think it was really helpful to learn more about project management. Especially in terms of how to stay organised throughout the whole process (following proper archiving and documentation practices), and also staying connected with the community itself. Including them in the process and building things on a more equal level was an important part of it. I feel like I’ve improved in delivering these kinds of tasks and managing them more confidently.

Following the completion of the training, has your project benefited? How?

Yes, directly. Especially in terms of the relationships we build with communities (learning how to approach them and how to structure the questions we ask) I can clearly see the benefits in my own research project. Working closely with a community, on a one-to-one level, is very different from working in a more corporate or institutional setting. And because we don’t really experience this kind of engagement in education or in the office, it’s something we don’t easily develop, which can later become problematic. But as Aris and Lena describe it, this is a process of “deep hanging out.” It’s about genuinely becoming part of the community and understanding that this is not something you plan and execute from an office, but something that evolves together with the community. Realising this aspect has really helped me rethink and improve my project, and in turn the project itself gain more accepetance.

Would you recommend this training to others?

Definitely, I always say that it’s a great opportunity, not just for young professionals, but also for anyone who is genuinely interested in research, project management, and community engagement. The summer school really offers something for everyone, creating space to explore, learn, and discover new things.

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HERITΛGE successfully delivered a second Oral History Workshop in Mexico, further advancing the implementation of the HerMaP Mexico initiative. The workshop took place from March 11–13, 2026 in Saltillo, Coahuila, bringing together 17 participants interested in strengthening their skills in working with memory and cultural heritage.

Hosted in the capital city of Coahuila, the workshop was made possible through the collaboration of three key institutions dedicated to the preservation of memory: the General Archive of the State of Coahuila, the Municipal Archive of Saltillo, and the Archive for Memory of Universidad Iberoamericana.

The training focused on oral history as a tool for documenting collective memory and intangible cultural heritage, equipping participants with both conceptual understanding and practical methodologies. It was led by Dr. Eleni Stefanou and Denise Navarro. 

Participants explored:

• The relationship between oral history, memory, and heritage
• The design and implementation of interviews
• Ethical considerations in working with testimonies
• The application of oral history in cultural heritage projects

The group brought together individuals from diverse backgrounds, including cultural practitioners, researchers, and professionals engaged in heritage-related initiatives.

The workshop reflects the strong collaborative framework that underpins HerMaP Mexico, which works in close partnership with local institutions to ensure that training activities are grounded in local realities and needs.

HERITΛGE extends its sincere thanks to the host institutions for opening their spaces and supporting this initiative, as well as to the Ministry of Culture of the State of Coahuila for its valuable role in promoting and facilitating the workshop.

We also recognize the commitment and active participation of all attendees, whose willingness to share experiences enriched the learning environment.

This workshop is part of a broader series of training activities under HerMaP Mexico, aimed at strengthening cultural heritage management across Mexico’s northern border states.

By creating spaces for learning, exchange, and collaboration, HERITΛGE continues to support local actors in documenting, preserving, and activating cultural heritage as a resource for community identity and sustainable development.

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From 26 January to 8 February 2026, the Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) held the first edition of its Winter School on Engaging Communities in Cultural Heritage, an intensive online training programme designed for heritage professionals seeking a deeper understanding of participatory approaches to heritage management.

The new Winter School builds on HERITΛGE’s well-established training formats, complementing its introductory 3-6 day workshops and the immersive summer field school. Together, these programmes form a progressive training pathway that allows professionals to engage with community-centred heritage practices at different levels and formats.

As Foteini Giannoulidi, head of HERITΛGE’s Educational Department, explains:

“Our proudly launched Winter School serves as an intermediate training program between our workshops and our intensive Summer Field School. It is designed for heritage managers who seek a profound approach to community engagement in a remote format, offering the opportunity to complete an extensive, in-depth training program.”

Community engagement has become one of the most dynamic and transformative areas in heritage management. Around the world, museums, archives, cultural institutions, and local organizations increasingly recognize that meaningful engagement cannot rely on generic “toolkits.”

Sustainable and ethical collaboration requires sensitivity to local contexts, awareness of community values, and approaches grounded in shared authority and co-creation.

The Winter School embraced this perspective, offering a research-led and community-centred framework shaped by HERITΛGE’s extensive practical experience across Europe, Africa, and other regions.

Participants explored both conceptual and practical aspects of community engagement, including principles and ethics of participatory heritage work, applied ethnography and long-distance interviewing, digital documentation of personal and material heritage, collaborative storytelling and interpretive planning, and the role of festivals, artistic practices, and community initiatives as platforms for participation and representation.

A Truly Global Cohort

The first edition of the Winter School brought together 20 participants from 16 countries across four continents — Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.

This international mix created a rich learning environment in which participants shared experiences from diverse heritage contexts, institutions, and communities.

The programme was taught by HERITΛGE’s Dr Aris Anagnostopoulos and Dr Lena Stefanou with contributions from Dr Evangelos Kyriakidis, Director of HERITΛGE.

Participants also benefited from insights from our keynote speaker, Tracii Kwaai, a sixth-generation Kalk Bay fisher child from South Africa. Tracey’s Fisher Child project has received one of our Small Grants for African Heritage. Tracii is a story keeper, ocean historian, and social and ecological activist. Her work explores belonging and community through the voices of local fisher and other displaced Kalk Bay communities.

In addition, several heritage professionals who had previously participated in HERITΛGE training programmes joined the Winter School as interviewees, sharing their experiences of applying participatory methods in their own work. These included:

• Anaclet Karangwa, Founder and Executive Director of IVOMO, Rwanda
• Vitalice Ochieng, Senior Programme Manager at the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH), Kenya
• Dr Habab Idriss Ahmed, Senior Antiquities Inspector at the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums, Sudan
• Mohammed Ali Mwenje, Cultural Heritage Practitioner at the Lamu World Heritage Site and Conservation Office / National Museums of Kenya, Kenya

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