The objective of the MOOC is to provide learners with notions on the following points:
- An overview of the richness and diversity of cultural and natural heritage, tangible and intangible in Africa.
- The challenges of its recognition, constitution and definition in the post-colonial context.
- The identification of the main actors who act today in the field of heritage.
- The place of African heritage in the context of globalization.
- Knowledge of the means of conservation and development of African heritage, in relation to local communities.
- Identification, knowledge, and analysis of both challenges and good practices through a variety of case studies based on African examples of heritage management.
Description
This course is the result of an international collaboration between universities wishing to offer online training on the challenges and prospects of African natural and cultural heritage: University Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (France), University Sorbonne Nouvelle (France), Gaston Berger University (Senegal).
Africa, the cradle of humanity, has many heritage properties that testify to its history, its natural wealth, its civilizations, its folklore and its ways of life. However, it faces particularly complex economic, societal and political conditions. The current and most imminent challenges it faces are both anthropogenic (conservation and management problems due to lack of funds or human resources; armed conflicts, terrorism, poaching, uncontrolled urbanization…) or natural. However, not all African heritage is in danger or in a state of disrepair: several tangible or intangible, natural or cultural heritage assets are preserved and enhanced in an exemplary manner. Good practices and projects show that objective difficulties can be overcome.
