GAZETTE REPORTER
In a landmark move that is set to reshape Botswana’s heritage landscape, the Botswana Agency of UNESCO and the nation’s leading heritage NGO, The Botswana Society, in collaboration with the National Museum and Art Gallery, will host a pivotal Heritage Summit on 12 and 13 February 2025.
Taking place in Gaborone, the summit aims to address the lack of coordination, the spread of misinformation, and absence of a comprehensive government policy.
Need for coordination
The Summit will bring together the many different stakeholders in the Heritage Sector scattered among seven ministries and several parastatals. The Heritage Summit will serve as a much-needed platform to foster collaboration among these stakeholders.
By creating a unified voice for the sector, the summit seeks to address long-standing issues of miscommunication and inefficiency in preserving and promoting Botswana’s cultural treasures.
Youth and Women at the Heart of Policy Discussions
One of the summit’s standout goals is its focus on inclusivity, particularly regarding youth and women. Recognising the potential of the heritage sector to drive employment and entrepreneurship, the summit will explore policy frameworks that prioritise these groups.
Coordinating unit
This approach aligns with global trends, emphasising heritage as a tool for sustainable development and community empowerment.
The two-day event will culminate in the formation of a coordinating unit to streamline heritage efforts across the country.
Stakeholders will work together to craft actionable recommendations and policy plans aimed at preserving Botswana’s heritage while promoting it as a driver of economic growth.
Cultural identity
As anticipation builds for February, the heritage community and beyond will be watching closely to see how this initiative shapes the future of Botswana’s cultural identity.
The summit will take place at a venue yet to be announced in Gaborone.