At REGARTLESS, we believe that cultural heritage is more than monuments, artifacts, and historic sites—it is the living expression of identity, memory, knowledge, and community resilience. This conviction guided our recent workshop on Afrocentric Practices in Heritage Management and Emergency Response in Armed Conflict, which brought together heritage practitioners, cultural actors, researchers, students, and community representatives to explore locally grounded approaches to safeguarding heritage in times of crisis.
As conflicts continue to threaten cultural heritage across Africa and beyond, there is an urgent need to strengthen the capacity of institutions and communities to respond effectively to emergencies. The workshop provided a platform for participants to examine both the challenges and opportunities involved in protecting cultural heritage during armed conflict, while emphasizing the importance of placing African knowledge systems and community perspectives at the centre of heritage management.
Throughout the workshop, participants reflected on the value of Afrocentric approaches that recognize indigenous knowledge, traditional custodianship systems, oral histories, and community-led stewardship as essential components of heritage protection. Discussions highlighted how local communities have long played a critical role in preserving cultural heritage and how these practices can inform contemporary emergency response strategies.
The workshop also explored practical measures to safeguard at-risk heritage. Participants engaged in conversations on risk assessment, emergency preparedness, documentation, preventive conservation, evacuation planning, and post-conflict recovery. By sharing experiences and lessons learned, attendees strengthened their understanding of how heritage institutions and communities can work together to mitigate the impact of conflict on cultural assets.
A particularly important aspect of the workshop was the opportunity to connect heritage protection with broader issues of social cohesion, peacebuilding, and community resilience. Cultural heritage is often among the first casualties of conflict, yet it is also a powerful resource for recovery, reconciliation, and rebuilding. Protecting heritage, therefore, means protecting the stories, identities, and collective memories that bind communities together.
The workshop reaffirmed our commitment to promoting heritage practices that are locally relevant, community-driven, and responsive to the realities faced by African communities. By encouraging dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, we continue to contribute to a growing movement that recognizes the value of Afrocentric approaches in safeguarding cultural heritage.
As we move forward, REGARTLESS remains dedicated to strengthening heritage protection efforts, supporting cultural resilience, and ensuring that the diverse heritage of our communities is preserved for future generations—even in the face of conflict and uncertainty. This project builds on lessons learned and best practices from our just-concluded project on safeguarding heritage in armed conflicts funded by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH). Thanks to our partner, Alliance Française, for scaling these lessons to reach a wider audience.
