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Programmes |
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Visit
of Mrs. Lalla Aicha Ben Barka to Cape Verde
12 to 19 August 2007 |
Lalla Aïcha Ben Barka, Director of UNESCO/BREDA went on an official
visit to Cape Verde from 12 to 19 August 2007. She held discussions with
various Cape Verdian personalities. This visit which falls within the framework
of Cidade Velha's Application for registration as a World Heritage Site
marked the occasion for Mrs. Ben Barka to reaffirm to the Cape Verdian Minister
of Culture, Mr. Manuel Veiga, UNESCO's support for this dossier. Cidade
Velha has an important heritage for mankind, she stated. As the cradle of
the Cape Verdian nation, Cidade Velha is the first city built by the Europeans
in Africa in 1462.
This historic site served as an important bridge between Africa, America
and Europe between the 15th and 17th century.
Mrs. Ben Barka also held a working session with the Cape Verdian Institute
of Research and Cultural Heritage (IIPC) during which progress made on the
application was evaluated. The activities to be undertaken to finalize the
dossier within the prescribed time frame were also identified.
Mrs Ben Barka also went to the Island of Sao Vicente where other aspects
of cooperation with UNESCO for the cultural sector were identified. She
held discussions with the Mayor of the City, Mrs.
Isaura Gomes who presented to her some cultural projects such as the creation
of Regional Archives, a Cinema School and an Arts Museum. The honourable
Mayor also shared with her, the difficulties encountered by her municipality
such as social problems, the issue of cultural integration with foreign
communities and other issues connected with the protection of the environment.
In partnership with the United Nations System in Cape Verde, a plan of action
for the municipality of Sao Vicente would be prepared. During her meeting
with the Chairperson of the Cape Verdian Institute for Children and Teenagers
(ICCA), Mrs. Ben Barka officially donated some computers to the 5 centres
of the Institute within the framework of the UNESCO programme for the control
of HIV/AIDS through the use of New Information and Communication Technologies.
Mrs. Ben Barka was received by the Minister of Education, Mrs. Filomena
Martins with whom she held some discussions on the Literacy Conference,
the support to higher education and the strengthening of the UNESCO National
Commission.
The Director was accompanied on her tours by the Resident Coordinator of
the United Nations System in Praia, Mrs. Patricia de Mowbray. It was the
occasion for them to take stock of the progress of the 'ONE UN' in Cape
Verde which is one of the 8 pilot countries of this United Nations reform.
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Meeting with Mr. Manuel
Veiga, Minister of Culture together with the coordinator of the
United Nations System in Cape Verde. |
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Visit to the Institute
for Children and Teenagers and official donation of computers
to the Director of the Institute. |
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