UNESCO AFRICAN HERITAGE INSTAGRAM VIDEO CONTEST.

The World Heritage Centre, in partnership with the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) and UNESCO Brazzaville, launched the #MyAfricanHeritage Instagram video contest on African World Heritage Day, 5 May 2019.

Participants are encouraged to post a video about an African World Heritage site using the hashtage #MyAfricanHeritage for a chance to win one of two prizes. The first prize is an internship with the AWHF (including return flight tickets to Johannesburg, South Africa and a stipend). The second prize is a trip to Robben Island (South Africa) World Heritage site.  

Proclaimed by the 38th session of the General Conference of UNESCO (November 2015), African World Heritage Day (5 May) is an opportunity for people around the world, and particularly Africans, to celebrate the Continent’s unique cultural and natural heritage.

While Africa is underrepresented on the World Heritage List (African properties account for some 12% of all inscribed sites worldwide), a disproportionally high percentage (39%) of these properties are on the World Heritage List in Danger. Faced with various contemporary threats, such as climate change, uncontrolled development, poaching, civil unrest and instability, many of Africa’s wonders risk losing their outstanding universal value. It is therefore more urgent than ever that this irreplaceable heritage be protected and preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

UNESCO is committed to spearheading international efforts to draw on the vast potential of Africa’s cultural and natural heritage as a force for poverty reduction and social cohesion as well as a driver of sustainable development and innovation. Through this international day, UNESCO aims to increase global awareness of African heritage, with a special focus on youth, and to mobilize enhanced cooperation for its safeguarding on the local, regional and global levels.

The deadline for the contest is the 20th of May 2019 and winners will be announced during Africa Week at UNESCO headquarters. 

Specially conceived for young people between the ages of 18 and 28.

More information about the contest is available on our #MyAfricanHeritage page here: https://whc.unesco.org/en/myafricanheritage/