UNESCO culture officers attend training on emergency preparedness and response

UNESCO Culture Officers from across Africa, the Arab world, and Asia-Pacific convened in Nairobi, Kenya, from 29 April to 2 May 2024, for the inaugural targeted training aimed at enhancing capacities to support Member States in preparing for and responding to culture-related emergencies.

In today's global landscape marked by escalating conflicts and increasing occurrences of disasters linked to both human-induced and natural hazards, cultural heritage and expressions face a diverse array of threats. Addressing such emergency situations demands an appropriate, reactive, and coordinated response.

The training aimed specifically to bolster UNESCO's field capacity by equipping professionals with the knowledge of relevant planning, intervention, and financial tools essential for efficiently supporting UNESCO's Member States in emergencies, considering the diverse contexts and countries in which they operate.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Culture of Kenya, Ummi Bashir "Strengthening UNESCO Field Offices' Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacities", 29 April - 2 May 2024, Nairobi, Kenya.

The Government of Kenya is committed to ensuring that culture is protected as is evident in various articles of our Constitution. The State Department of Culture, the Arts and Heritage is keen on deepening our partnership with UNESCO and recognize that UNESCO's purpose is to contribute to peace and security and promotion of human rights through collaboration among peoples through culture, including in the context of emergencies.

Ummi Bashir, Principal Secretary for Culture, the Arts and Heritage of Kenya

Over the course of four days, 30 participants engaged in a series of theoretical and practical sessions. The first and second days were dedicated to presenting UNESCO's corporate mechanisms for addressing emergencies, along with the related operational tools and measures aligned with UNESCO's six Culture Conventions.

The methodology for developing post-disaster needs assessments (PDNA) was thoroughly covered, with a focus on integrating culture. Sessions included experience sharing and practical exercises centered on targeted case studies. This involved identifying necessary preparatory and safeguarding measures, such as gathering baseline data on cultural assets, updating and digitizing inventories, and elaborating risk management and disaster risk reduction (DRR) plans for heritage sites and museums, among others. Ensuring coordination with national authorities and other UN agencies is crucial for coherence and effective planning. UNESCO's unique mandate in the cultural field, along with its statutory framework and experience, provide valuable guidance for promptly assessing the appropriate level of response to humanitarian and climate-related crises affecting culture.

Participants of the "Strengthening UNESCO Field Offices' Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacities", 29 April - 2 May 2024, Nairobi, Kenya.

Recovery and rehabilitation of the cultural sector after an emergency increases community resilience, fosters social cohesion, and contributes to sustainable development. For this reason, UNESCO, as the leading international organization for the protection of culture, has made emergency preparedness a priority.

Krista Pikkat, UNESCO's Director of Culture and Emergencies Entity

The training also delved into priority actions to mitigate the impact of emergencies on culture, stressing the need to consider external factors like security, accessibility, and the expectations of national authorities, which influence UNESCO's ability to provide assistance.

In addition to immediate post-disaster interventions, participants deliberated on medium and long-term action plans to safeguard and promote the cultural sector in all its dimensions-heritage, cultural industries, and cultural professions-during and in anticipation of crises. This includes measures such as regular capacity-building activities, legislative enhancements, and the establishment of strategic partnerships and financial mechanisms tailored specifically for culture, in which UNESCO can play a pivotal role in advocating.

This holistic approach to emergency preparedness and response is in line with the Organization's Programmatic Framework for 2024-2025 as a transversal priority for UNESCO, as well as the 2015 Strategy on the Reinforcement of UNESCO's action for the protection of culture and the promotion of cultural pluralism in the event of armed conflict and its Addendum concerning emergencies associated with disasters caused by natural and human-induced hazards.

Participants of the "Strengthening UNESCO Field Offices' Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacities", 29 April - 2 May 2024, Nairobi, Kenya.