This session will highlight the remarkable results of the ICOM Solidarity Project: Community-Led Training—Establishing a Foundation for Heritage Conservation in Africa. The session will showcase key aspects of the project’s outcomes and continue the conversation on the importance of community-led conservation efforts.
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Programme
11:00 (Paris) | 14:00 (Dubai)
14:00 – 14:15 | Introduction :
Maggi Loubser (ICOM-CC) & Kate Seymour (ICOM-CC)
- Release of the Community-Led Training Toolkits and Videos
14:15 – 14:25 | David Kojo Derban (Ethnik International)
- Online Prerecorded Presentation
14:25 – 14:35 | Peter Chitungu (Choma Museum and Crafts Centre) Online Prerecorded Presentation
14:35 – 14:45 | Davison Chiwara (Midlands State University)
- Online Prerecorded Presentation
14:45 – 15:25 | Panel Discussion led by Maggi Loubser with
- Catherine Snel (Sanlam Archives)
- Ogechukwu Elizabeth Okpalanozie (National Museum Lagos)
- Joseph Ssebunya (Ministry of Tourism)
- Terry Little (Ahmadu Bello University)
15:25 – 15:30 | Q&A | Closing
Moderators and Introduction
Speaker: Maggi Loubser, ICOM Conservation
Maggi Loubser, an analytical chemist with 30+ years’ experience, leads the University of Pretoria’s Master’s Programme in Tangible Heritage Conservation. She teaches science to humanities students, advancing professional conservation in Africa and promoting heritage’s role in identity formation.
Speaker: Kate Seymour, ICOM Conservation (Chair)
Kate Seymour is an internationally recognized paintings conservator and educator. Chair of ICOM-CC and Fellow of IIC, she founded Art Conservation Education in 2024. She lectures and leads workshops globally, advancing conservation through teaching and hands-on expertise.
Title: Community-Led Training: Conservation and why it is important
Speaker: David Kojo Derban, Ethnic International, Ltd, Accra
Arc. David Kojo Derban is a chartered architect and CEO of Ethnik International Ltd, with 20 years’ experience in heritage architecture and project management. He advocates for heritage preservation in Ghana and directs the Center for Architecture and Arts Heritage – Africa.
Title: Community-Led Training: The Significance of Heritage Conservation in Africa – A case of regional museums in Zambia
Speaker: Peter Chitungu, Assistant Conservator, National Museum Board
Peter Chitungu is a museum conservator at Choma Museum and Crafts Centre, Zambia, with over 30 years of experience. Specialized in Natural History preservation, he has led key exhibition projects and holds multiple ICCROM certifications in conservation, collection management, and crisis response.
Title: Preventive Conservation in Africa: Safeguarding our Heritage from Threats posed by Agents of Deterioration
Speaker: Davison Chiwara, Research Scholar, Getty Conservation Institute, J. Paul Getty Trust
Dr. Davison Chiwara is a lecturer at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, specializing in heritage conservation and museum practice. He coordinates the ICOM-CC Natural History Collections Working Group and serves on the INCCA steering committee.
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION (ALL on stage at same time with Moderators)
Speaker: Catherine Snel, Archivist, Samlam Achives & ICOM South Africa (Chair)
Catherine Snel has worked in the museum sector since 2001 and has been Archivist at Sanlam since 2015, managing its archives and museum. She is Chair of ICOM South Africa and brings expertise in collections, exhibitions, records, and leadership.
Speaker: Ogechukwu (Elisabeth) Okpalanozie, National Museum Lagos
Dr. Ogechukwu Elizabeth Okpalanozie is a researcher and art conservator at the National Museum, Lagos. With a Ph.D. in Microbiology focused on heritage biodeterioration, she is an IIC Fellow, ICOM-CC Assistant Coordinator, and a Commonwealth alumnus active in conservation training and projects.
Speaker: Terry Little, Ahmadu Bello University
Terry Little is a Senior Lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University and senior advisor at TARA. A heritage expert, he has led conservation projects across Africa, advised global organizations, and was a 2024 Getty Scholar focused on rock art preservation.
Speaker: Joseph Ssebunya, Ministry of Tourism)
Joseph Ssebunya is a heritage professional with 18+ years’ experience in museum education, conservation, and community engagement. A Tourism Development Officer in Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, he’s known for enhancing visitor experiences and promoting heritage through strategic communication and public programming.
Project Partners:
ICOM-CC, ICOM Africa (Regional Alliance), ICOM Costume, ICOM-CIDOC, ICOM-France, ICOM-France, ICOM-Spain, ICOM-Spain, ICOM-Spain, ICOM-ICR, ICOM-DEMHIST, ICOM-South Africa, ICOM-Namibia, ICOM-DRMC.
Supported by:
APOYOnline, Erfgoedacademie, Amersfoort, NL, National Museum of Lesotho, Stichting ICOM-CC FUND, University of Pretoria, South Africa, Zambia, Moto Moto Museum, Zimbabwe, ICOM-Kenya, ICOM-Uganda, ICOM-Burkino Faso, ICOM-Zambia, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Nigeria, ICOM-Egypt, ICOM-Cameroon, ICOM-ICDAD