The second edition of Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth Symposium will take place this week (17th and 18th March 2022) at the National Museums of Kenya, Botanical Gardens in Nairobi.
A Twitter Space conversation on Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth will be hosted on the British Council Twitter page on Wednesday 16th March 2022 from 11 - 12 PM / 8 - 9 AM GMT.
The hybrid symposium hosted by the British Council and Twaweza Communications will feature in-person conversations, keynote speeches, panel conversations as well as musical performances.
The sessions will also be live-streamed across the British Council’s social media platforms including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter and recordings will be available on the same platforms thereafter.
Audiences interested in attending the 2022 Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth Symposium are encouraged to register below:
Join at the Nairobi National Museum: https://x8n91kbns7o.typeform.com/to/Pyv3sfGq
Join virtually: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Uum74kmSSv-mkkpv8ccy6gto
Themed ‘Decolonization of Cultural Heritage in Africa’, this years' symposium brings together cultural practitioners, tech leaders, academics and policymakers.
The sessions and panel discussions will feature conversations on the restitution of cultural heritage in Africa, community engagement strategies in inclusive cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge and climate change, food security, and the digitization of cultural heritage.
Head of Arts, British Council Kenya, Sandra Chege, says, “The British Council’s work in heritage is people centred and is designed to support and amplify the work of communities as they work to safeguard their heritage for future generations.”
Adding, “The 2022 Symposium builds on the legacy of the first edition and brings together interconnected conversations on decolonisation while seeking to reclaim and reposition important narratives. The sessions bring together really dynamic voices and we hope to engage as many people as we can through this Symposium.”
The 2022 edition expounds on issues raised at the 2020 edition of the Symposium, like the role and the engagement of young people in heritage work.
Conversations on the decolonization of cultural heritage have become increasingly visible as people look for alternative approaches to creating sustainable values, food systems, heritage sites and forms of identity.
Twaweza Communications, the convenors of this Symposium, view decolonization as a continuous process of dismantling the remnants of the colonial experience within political, economic, philosophical, moral, social, spiritual, and activist contexts.
Prof Kimani Njogu, Executive Director, Twaweza Communications says, “We hope that the Symposium will inspire a community of key stakeholders as well as young emerging cultural heritage professionals and practitioners. We expect it to lead to the production of new research on cultural heritage and knowledge on gender dimensions and gaps in cultural heritage practices.”
SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM DAY 1 (16TH MARCH 2022)
11 - 12 PM: Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth
Speakers: Maureen Anzaye- Kubai, Program Manager, Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth, British Council, Kenya and Prof. Kimani Njogu of Twaweza Communications.
Moderator: Mwĩhaki Mũragũri.
SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM DAY 2 (17TH MARCH 2022)
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Joyce Nyairo, Santuri Media. Her writing interrogates the interface between politics, identity and culture.
10 - 11 AM: Community engagement strategies for youth heritage users
Speakers: Angela Wachuka, Book Bunk Trust and Harriet Chebet Ng’ok, Harriet Botanicals
Moderator: Dr. Tom Odhiambo, University of Nairobi
11.30 – 12.30 PM: Design, built environment and cultural heritage
Speakers: Dr. Romanus Opiyo, University of Nairobi, George Arrabu, Architectural Association of Kenya and Kabage Karanja & Stella Mutegi from Cave Bureau.
Moderator: Joy Mboya, The GoDown Arts
12.45 - 1.45 PM: Digitization and online cultural heritage experience
Speakers: Michael Murungi, Google Kenya, Carolyn Mwenda, National Museums of Kenya, Edward Sigei, Kenya Copyright Board and Tayiana Chao, Africa Digital Heritage
Moderator: Christine Mungai, Baraza Media Lab
2.45 - 3.30 PM: Musical performance by Labdi (Kenyan singer-songwriter and African single-stringed fiddle (Orutu) instrumentalist).
5 - 6 PM: Cultural Heritage, technology and Climate Change (Virtual Panel)
Speakers: Joanne Orr (Director, Living Culture Development), Hannah Fluck (Head of Environmental Strategy at Historic England), Prof. Muthoni Masinde (Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa), and Dr. Wanjiku Ng’ang’a (University of Nairobi)
Moderator: Nikki Locke, Senior Programme Manager, Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth British Council, London.
SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM DAY 3 (18TH MARCH 2022)
9.15 – 10.45 AM: Restitution of cultural heritage in Africa
Speakers: Prof. Kimani Njogu (Executive Director, Twaweza Communications), Onyekachi Wambu, AFFORD, London, Prof. George Abungu, Emeritus SG, National Museums of Kenya, Juma Ondeng’, National Museums of Kenya and Dr. Lydia Muthuma, Technical University of Kenya
Moderator: Njeri Gachihi, National Museums of Kenya
11 – 12.30 PM: Indigenous knowledge, food systems and climate change
Speakers: Judy Ogana, UNESCO, Dr. Staline Kibet, University of Nairobi and Mendi Njonjo, Hivos E.A
Moderator: Dr. Peris Kariuki, National Museums of Kenya
12.45 – 1.45 PM: Reclaiming narratives about African languages, clothing and accessories
Speakers: Sunny Dolat, The Nest Collective, Prof. Chege Githiora, Kenyatta University
and Kamau Kiarie, Managing Director & CEO of East African Educational Publishers.
Moderator: Dr. Mshai Mwangola, Orature Collective
2.45 - 3.30 PM: Musical Performance by Juma Tutu and the Swahili Jazz Band
3.30 - 3.45 PM: Closing Remarks / Vote of Thanks by Professor Kimani Njogu, Twaweza Communications and Maureen Anzaye - Kubai, Program Manager, Cultural Heritage for Inclusive Growth, British Council
