Mbanza Kongo — UNESCO on Thursday recommended the increase of actions for the protection, preservation and management of the Angolan cultural heritage, through education, training and boosting public conscience, Angop has learnt.

This stand was presented Thursday, in the northern Zaire Province, to participants to the ongoing international round table on Mbanza Kongo, by UNESCO representative for sub-Saharan Africa, Claudia Harvey.

The official considers that it is only with such actions that will be possible to maintain and assure that the coming generations can keep a permanent contact with Angola's history.

In her opinion, it is necessary that the cultural heritage contribute to the country's sustainable development and poverty eradication, stimulating the full participation of communities and the private sector in the protection, preservation and management of monuments and sites of this heritage and facilitate the appreciation of intangible aspects and their economic benefits.

Claudia Harvey also mentioned the importance of incorporating the principles of the convention on the world heritage in national legislation, meant to assure an adequate protection of the country's heritage.

Promulgate the process of the convention ratification, whose principles are relevant to the African cultural heritage, hold auditing works and update national inventories, as well as update the records on tangible and intangible heritage, boost the mechanisms of exchange of information and knowledge on tangible and non tangible patrimonies are also part of the recommendations.

UNESCO's general-director considers it important to acknowledge that preserving, maintaining and promoting the country's cultural and natural heritage is not in itself a goal, but this is all intrinsically linked to the broad objectives of Africa's development, she said.

Claudia Harvey also expressed her satisfaction at the fact that Angola shows that culture is a priority to politics, through the materialisation of a set of actions integrated in the plan of cultural action, with a notable increase of funds for culture.

She considered that culture and cultural activities will serve to heal the negative sequels left by the many years of war and hunger.