UNESCO and partners build expertise for the Return and Restitution of Cultural Property

As momentum grows across Africa for the return and restitution of cultural property, strengthening the legal, technical and institutional capacity to manage these processes is becoming increasingly important.

UNESCO, AUDA-NEPAD and the University of Pretoria are responding to this need through two online, non-credit-bearing certificate courses under the Reclaiming Our Heritage: Harnessing Educational Pathways for the Return and Restitution of Cultural Property in Southern Africa initiative.

Running from 11 to 28 August 2026, the courses bring together 27 participants from nine Southern African countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The training seeks to strengthen regional capacity to engage with the return and restitution of cultural property in ways that are legally informed, ethically grounded, community-sensitive and practically responsive.

The first course, Protocols of Justice for the Restitution of Cultural Property , explores the legal, ethical and justice dimensions of restitution. Participants examine relevant conventions and protocols, connections between international, national and customary legal frameworks, threats to cultural heritage and approaches to its protection.

Through practical cases and discussion, participants are also examining how restitution frameworks can be applied within their respective national, institutional and community contexts.