Electric South, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) invite creative technologists based in Southern or Eastern Africa to apply and participate in the new World Heritage Futures Lab: Southern and Eastern Africa Edition.
The ‘World Heritage Futures Lab: Southern and Eastern Africa Edition’ has been conceived as part of ‘The Next 50’, a year-long interdisciplinary reflection on the future of World Heritage organised in the context of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The aim of the project is to ensure an increased appreciation and understanding of the rich World Heritage in Southern and Eastern Africa. It will harness XR technology to develop and disseminate new narratives, and engage digital content and products on World Heritage sites in the two regions.
The lab’s organisers are looking for creative technologists from each of the eligible countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to participate in a 3-day ideas development lab in Cape Town, South Africa, from 6-8 December 2022. The creative technologists will work with community representatives living in and around World Heritage sites selected by Electric South and UNESCO.
The lab will enhance participants’ capacities in immersive digital technologies, key principles of UNESCO World Heritage Convention and interpretation of World Heritage values in Southern and Eastern Africa.
The project will continue in 2023 to provide production funding and exhibition opportunities for innovative immersive media content around Southern and Eastern African World Heritage, subject to further funding.
All flights, accommodation, meals, visa costs and ground transport costs are covered by the programme.
