Policy on Cultural Heritage

8/4/2019 Policy on Cultural Heritage

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REPUBLIC OF RWANDA

MINISTRY OF SPORTS AND CULTUREBP: 1044 KIGALITEL: 583525/583513Fax:583518

POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE

September 2008


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CONTENTS1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................... 4

1.1. Definition of Cultural Heritage ..................................................... 41.2. Contexts ........................................................................................ 6

2. OVERALL GUIDELINES ......................................................................... 92.1. Vision 2020 .................................................................................. 92.2. National Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) and National

Investment Strategy (SNI).................................................................. 102.3. Seven-Year Government Programme ....................................... 102.4. International Development Goals (MDGs, NEPAD, UNESCO, the

Cultural Charter for Africa)................................................................. 113. PRESENTING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR ........................... 12

3.1. Statement of the problem of the cultural heritage sector....... 133.2. Constraints and opportunities in the cultural sector ............... 13

4. PRINCIPLES OF THE POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE................... 164.1. Principles relating to intangible cultural heritage .................... 164.2. Principles relating to physical cultural heritage ....................... 174.3. Cultural tourism related principle and marketing.................... 18

5. VISION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR........................................ 196. MISSION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR .................................... 197. OBJECTIVES OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR ....................... 19

7.2. Specific objectives...................................................................... 198. COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR

................................................................................................................. 218.1. Strategies on developing adequate and qualified human

resources:........................................................................................... 218.2. Strategies relating to maintaining and enhancing tangible andintangible cultural heritage ............................................................... 21- Update the inventory of immovable cultural heritage; ............. 218.3. Strategies relating to promoting Rwandas cultural values and

encouraging their implementation in daily life: ............................... 228.4. Strategies relating to adopting a legal and regulatory

framework in connection with cultural heritage: ............................. 22


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8.5. Strategies relating to promoting regional and international

cooperation on cultural heritage:...................................................... 229. PROGRAMS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR ............................... 2310. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE...... 23

10.1. Institutional framework ........................................................... 2310.2. Monitoring and evaluation ...................................................... 2410.3. Objectively verifiable indicators .............................................. 25

11. CONCLUSION ................................................................................... 26


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POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE

1. INTRODUCTIONBefore the colonial era, Rwanda was, unquestionably, a nation-state with a

people sharing the same religious beliefs, the same traditions, same

customs, speaking the same language, Kinyarwanda, in short, having a

same culture.

To consolidate their power, colonizers and missionaries have, from the

outset, sought to blot out the identity and collective memory of Rwandans.

Thus, many traditional cultural practices such as worship for ancestors weredescribed as wild and pagan, and in some places trees and sacred places

were destroyed.

The Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of 4 June 2003, as amended to

date, reaffirms Governments commitment to protecting sound traditional

and cultural practices based on Rwandan philosophy and culture in general.

The Constitution stipulates that Government has the obligation to ensure

preservation of its cultural heritage, memorials and sites of genocide.

Today, more than ever before, the Ministry holding Culture within its remit,

strongly upholds that cultural heritage in both its material and immaterial

aspects and as a resonant expression of a peoples identity, constitutes a

determining factor for unity, national reconciliation and contributes to

national development and to a shared brighter future.

1.1. Definition of Cultural HeritageIn civil law, for a legislator, heritage means a set of assets and obligations of

a person, conceived as a universal right, i.e. as moving structure whose

assets and liabilities can not be separated.

Therefore, heritage refers to the idea of a legacy of past generations which


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we must transmit intact onto future generations. It therefore goes beyond

the mere personal property.

According to UNESCO, the following are regarded as components of

cultural heritage:

- Monuments: architectural works, works of monumentalsculpture and painting, elements or structures of anarchaeological nature, inscriptions, caves and combinations

of elements, which are of outstanding universal value from

the point of view of history, art or of science;

- Buildings: groups of separate or connected buildings which,because of their architecture, their homogeneity or their

place in the landscape, are of outstanding universal value

from the point of view of history, art or of science;

- Sites: works of man or the combined works of man andnature, and areas including archaeological sites which are of

outstanding universal value from a historical, aesthetic,

ethnological or anthropological point of view.

UNESCO further defines "intangible cultural heritage" as practices,representations, expressions, knowledge and know-how as well as related

instruments, objects, artefacts and related cultural spaces recognised by

communities, groups and, where necessary, by individuals as part of their

cultural heritage. This intangible cultural heritage, transmitted from

generation to generation, is constantly maintained by communities and

groups according to their environment, their interaction with nature and

their history, and gives them a sense of identity and continuity, hence

contributing to enhanced respect for cultural diversity and human creativity.

In short, heritage is any object or collection, whether natural or

cultural, tangible or intangible, recognized by a community for its values of

testimony and historical memory hence the need to protect, preserve,

enhance and transmit it onto descendants.


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1.2. Contexts

1.2.1. National Context

Rwandans, anywhere and through the ages, are proud of their identity, but

because of the history of their country, young Rwandans do not know much

of their rich cultural heritage. Achievements of the National Cultural Troupe

are one expression of such cultural treasures.

As part of promotion of cultural heritage and exchange between African

cultures, from 1998, the African Union (formerly OAU) has made Kigali, the

capital of African Dance. In this connection, Rwanda organises every two

years, the Pan-African Festival of Dance (FESPAD) in which artists from

across the continent and even those from the Diaspora meet in Rwanda to

present and perform, before the public attending this event, African cultural

diversity from their respective countries.

1.2.2. Socio-economic context

- Rwandas cultural heritage contributes to national economic growth

through the upgrading of several elements including:

Patterned decoration following the hand-woven basketAgaseke, cultural techniques and making performing arts

profitable;

Ubudehe was a mode of collective work geared towardsproduction using combined forces of a group. This practicehas its origins in the socio-economic history of Rwanda.

Umuganura, formerly national holiday for cereal harvest(sorghum and finger millet /eleusine), it was an expression

of community identity and emphasised the importance of

economic production as a family.

- Through cultural tourism, cultural heritage refers, in the same capacity as


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other productive sectors, to job creation and sale of handicraft products,

etc.

- It also promotes creation of new infrastructure allowing more economic

benefits for the site and surrounding community.

- It contributes to environmental management and enables rational use of

local natural resources and development of ecotourism.

- The management and conservation of heritage promote research in

various scientific fields (history, sociology, anthropology, archaeology ...).

1.2.3. Socio-political context

Rwanda seeks to develop and resolve conflicts arising from among its

people based on inherited cultural methods and systems. The elements

below can serve as examples:

Gacaca: this traditional popular court was a way to do justiceapplied in the Western legal system. The typically Rwandan judicial system, which has its roots in the ancestral cultural

heritage, is currently applied as a mechanism to ensure

reconciliation among Rwandans after the genocide against Tutsi

in 1994.

Abunzi: once, within Rwandan society when a conflict arosebetween neighbours or between families, wise men, of moral

integrity and without bias, acted as mediators to reconcileconflicting parties before their disputes would cause serious

damage. Therefore, Government of Rwanda has adopted this

model to encourage settlement of cultural conflict between

citizens.

Imihigo: performance contract currently signed betweenthe employer and employee is taken from the inherited cultural

model of work tailored towards perfection. Thus, this system of


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work encouraged Rwandans to always be elites "Intore" in

everything they undertook.

Itorero: institution that the Government wishes to makeoperational throughout the country and which is based on a

model of the traditional Rwandan school young people had toattend to prepare their future lives by sharpening their

knowledge, know-how, social life for the benefit of the country.

They also learned the art of public speaking, games, etc.

1.2.4. Regional and international context

Some aspects ofRwandas cultural heritage are similar to a few elements in

the region or elsewhere. This is why, when doing research on cultural

heritage, a comparative approach is necessary:

- Rwanda shares the same values with other countries in the region: the

case of Kinyarwanda which is also spoken in a few countries in the region;

- It shared, with other countries in the region, certain cultural practices, for

instance, the worship for Lyangombe (Kubandwa) and worship for ancestorsguterekera;

- At social level, Rwanda shared with other countries in the region, an

organization with similar elements: clan or family;

- It has cross-border natural sites: Volcano Park located astride Rwanda on

the one hand, DRC and Uganda, on the other.

As part of protecting cultural heritage, Rwanda has already ratified some

international conventions:

The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event

of Armed Conflict (1954);


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The Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and

Natural Heritage (1972);

The Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the

Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property(1970).

Rwanda should also ratify the Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible

Cultural Heritage (2003), while proposing for inclusion on the World

Heritage List, some of its tangible and intangible cultural property.

2. OVERALL GUIDELINES

The policy on cultural heritage is an integral part of the National Policy on

Culture.

It sets out broad guidelines of the sector and provides a solid foundation for

its sustainable development and takes into account the national and

international guidelines such as:

2.1. Vision 2020

Under Vision 2020, cultural heritage is described in a comprehensive

framework that makes Rwanda:

- A nation founded, for several centuries, on a shared history, having sharedvalues and a shared vision of the world;

- A country with inclusive identity.

Vision 2020 states, inter alia, that its aspirations are to make

Rwanda a country proud of its fundamental values with no discrimination

among citizens. In this instance, cultural heritage is highlighted and is, with


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no doubt, regarded as a cornerstone for a prosperous Nation built on solid

heritage.

2.2. National Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) and National InvestmentStrategy (SNI)Cultural heritage is an efficient contribution to poverty reduction as it lays a

solid foundation for national harmony to ensure sustainable development. It

generates income through visits to historic and cultural sites, establishment

of shops and sales of handicrafts in the vicinity of sites.

Cultural heritage offers tremendous opportunities for economic

development, including through cultural tourism and cultural industry. For

the moment, the most important challenge to be addressed is to find both

national and international investors who can invest in this buoyant sector,

with resources so far untapped.

Furthermore, relevance of cultural heritage in development was highlighted

at the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg,

South Africa from 26 August to 4 September 2002: indeed, cultural heritage

has been positioned as the 4th pillar of sustainable development, behind

economy, environment and social affairs.

2.3. Seven-Year Government ProgrammeThe Seven-Year Government Programme includes cultural heritage in

general through the following activities:

- Establish Rwanda Academy for Culture and Language;- Sensitise parents and educators on learning and teaching culturalvalues to children and youth using written documents and various

debates;

- Sensitise Rwandans and particularly State institutions on theprotection of historical and cultural events and sites;

- Sensitise investors to develop tourism / cultural industries andstrengthen existing ones.


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2.4. International Development Goals (MDGs, NEPAD, UNESCO, the CulturalCharter for Africa)

2.4.1. The Cultural Charter for AfricaThe Cultural Charter for Africa encourages African Union Member States

to rehabilitate, restore, preserve and promote cultural heritage while

developing, within itself, all the dynamic values and rejecting anything that

is a hindrance to progress. It also supports its protection at both legal and

practical level under the best standards applicable in this area.

2.4.2. MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)

In all its aspects, cultural heritage is part of priorities of MDGs. These

stipulate that:

- Cultural heritage is a potential reservoir for development thoughlargely untapped so far;

- In the ongoing decentralization process, grassroots authorities havea crucial role to play in designing strategies to protect cultural

heritage, promote cultural identity for improved quality of peopleslives;

- Regarding planning tools and projects, cultural heritage should betaken into account to improve peoples living conditions;

- The role of local communities in heritage management should bestrengthened;

- Cultural heritage should become a strategic component ofdevelopment plans at grassroots level therefore contributing to

enhanced dialogue among nations.

2.4.3. NEPAD (New Economic Partnership for Africas Development)NEPAD places cultural heritage at the fore front as a factor for peace and

national harmony. It also advocates for preservation of traditional cultural

practices likely to contribute to enhanced national identity, cultural diversity

and dialogue among nations.


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2.4.4. UNESCOThis Organisation pays special attention to various forms of cultural

heritage. These include:

- Fighting against global threats that may affect the World Culturaland Natural Heritage or disappearance of any form of intangible

heritage. It also attaches great importance to the sites and

monuments, because they contribute to social cohesion, dialogue

and cultural diversity among peoples.

- Ensuring that living expressions, traditions that a people or acommunity has received from his ancestors and passed on to their

descendants, often transmitted by word of mouth, are jealouslyprotected, because they give to each of the depositories a sense of

identity and continuity, through its ownership and perpetuation, for

present and future generations.

- UNESCO also contributes to the fight against theft, looting, illegalimport and export of cultural property, which often occur at

archaeological sites in public and private collections, in religious

buildings, in cultural institutions (case of museums) etc. andencourages return of such property in their countries of origin.

Lets recall that, to ensure sustainable principles to protect tangible and

intangible cultural heritage:

- The United Nations proclaimed 2002 the International Year ofCultural Heritage and invited UNESCO to be a leader;- The United Nations have proclaimed 2008 the International Year ofLanguages.

3. PRESENTING THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTORRwandas cultural heritage, seen from a general perspective, is rich and

diversified. But it has, for long, been regarded as being a sector of minor


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importance, and, because of such consideration, failed to play its basic role

of developing the nation. However, there is no doubt cultural heritage is one

of the main pillars for sustainable development.

3.1. Statement of the problem of the cultural heritage sectorNational cultural heritage has long been an area whose products were

insignificant compared to its share in national development. As an

indication, until 1994, Rwanda had no strategic plan for development of its

cultural and historical sites.

Apart from folklore, for a long time ever, little was known of Rwandas

cultural heritage both at national and international level, for various

reasons:

- There never have been any strategies and mechanisms for themanagement and conservation, preservation and enhancement of

cultural heritage;

- Cultural heritage is not incorporated into the development plan atthe level of provinces and districts;

- Development of cultural heritage was seen by some people as areturn to tradition, especially after the abolition of the monarchy and

recovery of independence;

- Cultural heritage was not considered to be one of the main pillars ofsustainable national development.

3.2. Constraints and opportunities in the cultural sector3.2.1. Constraints

- Insufficient human resourcesThe sector suffers from a serious lack of human resources in the area ofcultural heritage management and conservation. This deficiency is a major

obstacle to development.

- Inappropriate regulatory instrumentSo far, Rwandas cultural heritage is governed by the Law-Decree of

16/08/1939 on protection of sites, monuments and production of


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indigenous art. This text is no longer appropriate and is obsolete as it dates

back to colonial era.

- Misappreciation of cultural heritageMost people consider folklore to be the sum total of Rwandas cultural

heritage ignoring the rich and diverse immovable cultural heritage found inall districts of the country, tangible property exhibited in our museums,

knowledge and traditions held by some Rwandans.

- Traditional cultural practices qualified as paganismDue to the influence of imported religions, several traditional cultural

practices are not implemented because they were despised, treated as

being wild and contrary to civilization".

- Destruction of public buildings regarded as cultural heritageDuring construction of buildings in urban centres or other activities carried

out in rural areas, some elements of cultural heritage were destroyed;

There is also need to point out that destroying heritage amounts to violating

conscience and mind of a nation rendering its history and identity barely

distinguishable.

3.2.2. PotentialRwandas cultural heritage is rich and diversified; it contains:

Tangible cultural heritage : Sacred hills, forests and trees with legendary history; traditional huts and royal palace; churches and other colonial buildings; caves and rocks with bas-reliefs marking the legendary or

historical events that have occurred on the site;

thermal springs and wells used for ritual purposes; genocide memorial sites; Etc.


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Intangible cultural heritage : national language spoken and understood by all Rwandans; cultural practices and traditional techniques highly

appreciable;

oral traditions; highly developed performing arts whose fame transcends

national borders (case of the dance of the Intore);

habits and customs; developed traditional institutions (ubwiru, ubusizi ...)

Rwandas cultural heritage potential :

- Existence of a national policy on culture: since 2006, Rwanda has anational policy on culture which outlines the guidelines, principles and

vision of the sector.

- An inventory of immovable cultural heritage made in 2004, Rwanda hascarried out its inventory of immovable cultural heritage. The inventory

should be regularly updated.

- Political will: Government through the Ministry holding cultural heritageand public institutions entrusted with such heritage are willing to safeguard

and promote Rwandas cultural heritage.

- An area with resources still untapped: it is worth investing in the area ofcultural heritage as it is a new sector with opportunities to capitalise on.

- International support: after the agreement on some internationalconventions related to cultural heritage, international institutions are willing to support Rwanda in the process of developing this sector: ICCROM,

UNESCO, etc.


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4. PRINCIPLES OF THE POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE

Principles of the policy on cultural heritage include:

4.1. Principles relating to intangible cultural heritage4.1.1. Protection of Intangible Cultural HeritageThe policy on cultural heritage should consolidate the benefits from the

heritage left by our ancestors to sustain Rwandan identity over the years.

4.1.2. Protection and promotion of mother tongueExtensive research in linguistics should be made which will consider

measures to safeguard dying local dialects: case of Ikirashiand Ikinyambo

spoken in the Eastern Province, Urushobyo spoken in the Western Province,

Urukiga spoken in Northern Province, etc.

4.1.3. The living human treasuresIt is urgent to capitalise on the wisdom and know-how of old knowledgeable

people. "Utaganiriye na se ntamenya icyo sekuru yasize avuze (A person

who did not chat with their father will never know what their grandfather

might have said).

4.1.4. The cultural practices and traditional techniquesThe policy on cultural heritage will promote cultural practices and traditional

techniques recognized as meeting the expectations of the community as an

expression of their cultural identity.


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4.2. Principles relating to physical cultural heritage

4.2.1. The architectural heritageThe policy on cultural heritage should support the various architectural

forms and frames in Rwanda and their components by integrating them into

a typically Rwandan context. The streets and public places will generally

bear Rwandan marks in order to perpetuate our cultural values.

4.2.2. The genocide memorial sites

The policy on cultural heritage should take care of memorial sites andensure sustainable conservation of all tangible and intangible evidence of

genocide which are kept therein to make of these sites places of meditation

and education on values of peace, tolerance, non-violence, unity and

national reconciliation for the present and future generations.

4.2.3. The areas of cultural interestThe policy on cultural heritage must preserve historical sites and

monuments as elements belonging to a unifying set of an entity or a larger

context and not exclusively as isolated elements or structures.

4.2.4. The archaeological heritageFor better management of archaeological heritage, the policy on cultural

heritage will fight against any unregulated exploitation of archaeological

excavations and preserve this heritage for targeted research.

4.2.5. The heritage of community lifeThe policy on cultural heritage should increase awareness of the Rwandan

population to live in harmony with other elements associated with nature

and which make up their environment.


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4.2.6. Funeral heritageThe policy on cultural heritage should take measures to regulate cemeteries

for their better management and conservation.

4.2.7. Archival heritageThe policy will promote conservation of the national archives kept on

various media in order to keep the memory of its people by protecting them

against destruction. It must also negotiate the return of archives and other

cultural heritage objects located in Europe and elsewhere in the world, while

putting in place such conditions as conducive to their management.

4.3. Cultural tourism related principle and marketingGiven the contribution to cultural tourism in national development, the

policy on cultural heritage will promote cultural opening to others and

contribute significantly in:

countrys economic prosperity;

creation of cultural industries; promoting awareness and visibility of national cultural heritage; transmission of cultural exchanges; participation in and cooperation between host communities, tourist

site curators, touring operators, etc..

To achieve this, the following should be done:

put in place infrastructure and cultural amusement centres: villagesand cities of culture;

train interpreters and cultural guides; diversify cultural events; encourage investment in the sector of cultural tourism; involve local people in tourism development on cultural sites.


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5. VISION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTORCultural heritage must be the basis and driving force to national

development.

Its management, conservation and development should be tailored towards:

- promotion of cultural tourism;- environmental protection, rational use of local natural resources

and ecotourism development;

- development of social equality, culture of peace and preservation ofspecific values of sites;

- research and education.

6. MISSION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR- Make cultural heritage a determining factor for national identity and

pride for individual people in particular, and Rwandan community in

general;

- As a main pillar for sustainable development, cultural heritage willcontribute to economic growth and social harmony among

Rwandans.

7. OBJECTIVES OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR7.1. General goals

- Making national cultural heritage the basis for social, economic and

political development;- Making Rwanda a cultural flagship at regional and international levels.

7.2. Specific objectives- Develop adequate and qualified human resources;- Maintain and enhance tangible and intangible cultural heritage;


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- Promote Rwandas cultural values and encourage theirimplementation in daily life;

- Adopt a legal and regulatory framework in connection withcultural heritage;

- Promote regional and international cooperation on culturalheritage.


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8. COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIES FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTOR8.1. Strategies on developing adequate and qualified human resources:

- Build capacities of existing cultural heritage institutions inthe area

of decentralization;

- Educate and train professionals in the management andconservation of cultural heritage;

- Provide the sector with the tools appropriate formanagement and conservation of cultural heritage including

new information and communication technologies ;

- Encourage creation of associations for management andconservation of cultural heritage.

8.2. Strategies relating to maintaining and enhancing tangible andintangible cultural heritage- Update the inventory of immovable cultural heritage;- In collaboration with other institutions, identify the nature of

cultural sites for inclusion within the national touristenvironment,

- Conduct an inventory of intangible cultural heritage;- Encourage investment in this sector;- Foster implementation of cultural practices;- Preserve and promote the practice of traditional medicine as

part and parcel of cultural heritage;

- Develop a map and a cultural guide in Rwanda;-

Raise awareness among Rwandans from all walks of life tovisit cultural sites;

- In collaboration with Districts, integrate the managementand conservation of the sites under their jurisdiction in their

development plan;

- Encourage creation of public and private culturalinstitutions;

- Turn historical sites into ecological models through theirdevelopment;


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- To involve young people in visits to various national culturalsites.

8.3. Strategies relating to promoting Rwandas cultural values andencouraging their implementation in daily life:- Inculcate in Rwandans the culture of competitiveness and

excellence;

- Consolidate the method of peaceful resolution of conflicts throughRwandas traditional cultural systems: Abunzi (mediators), Gacaca

(popular courts), etc.

- Appeal to the youth to approach the elderly so as to benefit fromtheir wisdom, knowledge and cultural practices while still alive;

-Involve the media in raising awareness on preservation andprotection of cultural heritage.

8.4. Strategies relating to adopting a legal and regulatory framework inconnection with cultural heritage:- Put in place rules and regulations governing the use of

Kinyarwanda;

- Draft a legal and regulatory text to govern national cultural heritage;- Put in place a framework banning the import, export and trafficking

in cultural property;

- Fight against any form of looting and destruction of culturalheritage;

- Prevent abuse of archaeological excavations throughout thenational territory;

- Put in place a system to classify (protect) all sites of nationalinterest;

- Encourage users of the media on proper use of Kinyarwanda.8.5. Strategies relating to promoting regional and international cooperationon cultural heritage:

- Establish mechanisms for the return of Rwandas cultural propertykept abroad;


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- Encourage ratification of the UNESCO Convention of 2003 onprotection of intangible cultural heritage;

- Reassert the inclusion of key cultural and natural sites on theUNESCO World Heritage List;

- Promote regional and international cooperation on cultural heritage;- Mark international days in connection with cultural heritage.

9. PROGRAMS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SECTORMain programs of cultural heritage include:

- Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage

This program has the following sub-components:

- identification and promotion of living human treasures;- promoting the national language, Kinyarwanda, and collection of

oral traditions and cultural practices.

- Management, conservation and enhancement of tangible cultural

heritage

This program has the following sub-components:

- Preservation and enhancement of immovable cultural heritage;- Conservation and development of movable cultural heritage.

10. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY ON CULTURAL HERITAGE10.1. Institutional frameworkThe Ministry in charge of cultural heritage is the first institution responsible

for implementing this policy. However, it works with other national and

international partners who, in one way or another, support this ministry for

the management, conservation and promotion of national cultural heritage.

The table below lists the main partners in the sector of cultural heritage and

their possible intervention area:


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Partners InterventionsMinistries

- Implementing the policy on culturalheritage;

- Promotion of national and universalcultural values;

- Putting in place a legal and regulatoryframework;

- Protecting national cultural heritage;Organising cultural events.

Research institutes and public institutions- Promoting the national language;- Promoting cultural tourism;-

Management, preservation anddevelopment of national heritage;

- Cultural practices and oral traditions;- Research on cultural heritage;- Promoting cultural heritage.International institutions and diplomatic missions- Support to management, preservation and

development of cultural heritage;

- Training.Associations

- Dissemination of cultural values;- Living human treasures;- Promotion of and support to heritage

sector.

10.2. Monitoring and evaluationThe following mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation will be put in placefor better implementation of this policy:

- Monitor on regular basis the implementation of the policy on culturalheritage;

- Organize regular sessions to assess implementation of the policy oncultural heritage;

- Coordinate efforts of partners on cultural heritage.


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10.3. Objectively verifiable indicators- A cultural village is built in the late 2020;- A national cultural map is produced by end of 2020;- In 2020, five cultural / natural sites are registered on the

indicative list including two sites on the UNESCO World HeritageList;

- Collection of oral traditions and other cultural practices aremade in one Province every three years;

- A regulatory framework governing cultural heritage is producedby end of 2010;

- A historic monument is built in each Province by end of 2020;- A regulation governing use of Kinyarwanda is developed by end

of 2015;- Three associations working to promote Cultural Heritage are

created in every Province in late 2015;

- The National Academy of Language and Culture is operationalby the end of 2010;

- Two senior officials are trained on cultural heritagemanagement every three years;

- Two cultural events and meetings of high level are organisedevery three years.


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11. CONCLUSION

A nation without any historical reference to the most relevant events of itspast, to the sites where these events occurred, or without tangible or

intangible cultural heritage, as evidence of ancestral knowledge,

interpersonal skills and know-how is a nation in full decline.

This national heritage policy paper sets out the broad guidelines of the

sector based on a set of tangible and intangible elements that shape the

identity of the Rwandan people: mother tongue also national language,

cultural traditions and practices, historical sites and monuments.

Protection and preservation of national cultural heritage consolidate

national unity, social cohesion, cultural freedom and recognition of our

identity.

Given that Rwanda shares universal culture with other nations, Rwandas

cultural heritage reasserts diversity and dialogue between cultures.

Therefore, Government of Rwanda and its partners have the obligation topreserve and perpetuate this ancestral heritage for present and future

generations because, on the one hand, it brings in a lot of money as do

agriculture, industry, gold or oil and, on the other, it maintains harmony and

social balance between peoples.

Policy on Cultural Heritage

Documents

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