Algerian Culture Minister Miliika Ben Doudah recently opened a regional workshop in Algiers, bringing together experts and officials from across Africa to discuss the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. The workshop, organized by the Regional Center for the Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Africa, in collaboration with UNESCO, aims to strengthen African cooperation in this field. Ben Doudah emphasized that cultural heritage is a cornerstone of national security and identity.
The workshop focuses on preparing periodic reports, a crucial mechanism for measuring the effectiveness of public policies and identifying funding and knowledge gaps. Ben Doudah highlighted that Algeria has long recognized the significance of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, as a vital component of national identity and security. Algeria was the first country to ratify the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Algerian government has taken concrete steps to prioritize the preservation of cultural heritage, including the establishment of the Regional Center for the Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Africa, under the auspices of UNESCO. The country has also made significant progress in digitizing its national inventory and creating databases linked to academic research. These efforts are complemented by a robust cultural diplomacy aimed at protecting Algeria's cultural legacy.
Ben Doudah stressed that the strategic ambition, aligned with the African Union's vision and UNESCO's objectives, is to empower experts and focal points in Africa to secure comprehensive protection for the continent's cultural heritage. The workshop provides a platform for experts to share knowledge and best practices in preserving intangible cultural heritage. Participants will discuss the transition to a new system for preparing periodic reports and familiarize themselves with revised electronic models.
The regional workshop brings together approximately 50 focal points from African countries and officials from UNESCO's regional offices. The event is facilitated by experts from the UNESCO Global Network of Facilitators, along with Algerian experts. The workshop's agenda includes sessions on transitioning to a unified global system for periodic reporting and introducing revised electronic models launched by UNESCO in September 2026.
The Algerian government's commitment to cultural heritage preservation is reflected in its diplomatic efforts to protect the country's cultural legacy. Algeria has successfully inscribed several cultural elements on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage, including the art of zellij and the traditional music of the Ouargla region. These efforts aim to promote cultural diversity and strengthen international cooperation.
The workshop's outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of effective strategies for preserving intangible cultural heritage in Africa. By empowering experts and focal points, the event aims to ensure the long-term protection of the continent's rich cultural heritage. The Algerian government's emphasis on cultural heritage preservation underscores its recognition of the critical role it plays in shaping national identity and security.
Key points
- Algeria's cultural minister stresses the importance of preserving intangible cultural heritage for national security and identity.
- The regional workshop in Algiers aims to strengthen African cooperation in preserving intangible cultural heritage.
- Algeria has made significant progress in digitizing its national inventory and creating databases linked to academic research.
Reporting sources
- التراث أحد مرتكزات الأمن القومي والهوية · akhbarelyoum.dz
