Workshop for the launch of the World Heritage Education Resource Kit for teachers in the World Heritage Education Project

Masvingo, Zimbabwe, 2-4 February 2000

Event and objectives

A workshop for the launch of the World Heritage Education Resource Kit for teachers in the World Heritage Education Project  (WHEP) Pilot Schools.

Workshop objectives

• Launch the World Heritage in Young Hands project in the 7 pilot secondary schools;
• Introduce the World Heritage Education Kit for teachers in the pilot schools;
• Explore the concepts, issues and activities in the World Heritage Education Resource Kits with the teachers, curriculum developers and the natural and cultural heritage educators
• Equip teachers in the pilot schools with ideas and tools to implement the project; and
• Create a platform for dialogue between teachers, curriculum developers, education administrators, natural and cultural heritage educators/experts.

Workshop Recommendations:

The participants and the facilitators resolved to recommend the following for the success of the project:

• That the ultimate goal of the project be integration and strengthening of Heritage Education issues and concerns in the formal school curriculum. Thus, the CDU should take note and continue to explore possibilities.
• That all natural and cultural heritage sites be identified with the help of communities. Thus, the NMMZ should continue to lead on this exercise.
• That in-service teacher education programs explore modalities of in-servicing serving teachers in Heritage Education where possible. The relevant Teacher Education main actors were implored to consider this.
• That the relevant bodies and organizations promote tourism to heritage sites for both national and foreign tourists.
• That project stake-holders jointly initiate competitions in schools on World Heritage Education aspects; that such competitions could begin with the pilot schools on their WHEP activities.
• That the Ministry of Education, Sport and Culture Head Office write to heads of pilot schools and Regional Offices pledging commitment and support for the project.
• That the pilot schools and other schools engaged in Heritage Education utilize the services of Heritage Education Officers stationed in the regional centers of the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe nearest to them.
• That the pilot schools network with each other as well as other on-going projects and activities in the board area of natural and cultural heritage.
• That the UNESCO Harare Office be approached to support financially and otherwise a round table discussion of the WHEP trial testing schools no later than June 2000 so as to share experiences before the July 2000 evaluation of the project and plan post-trial testing phase activities. The UNESCO Harare office  will be approached for further assistance to ensure a smooth round-up of the project trial testing phase and transition to follow-up activities.

Organizers

The Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO
The UNESCO Harare Office
UNESCO

Participants

22 participants, of which

1 person from the Zimbabwe National Commission for UNESCO
1 representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Technology
2 representatives from the Education, Sport and Culture Head Office (Harare)
10 persons from the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe; and 8 teachers of which 1 observing.