During the last three weeks, the Rising from the Depths Network has cooperated with UNESCO Nairobi Regional Office and the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee for the Underwater Cultural Heritage (ICUCH) in the organization of the Online Training on Underwater Cultural Heritage Protection and Management for African countries. This workshop, which has been kindly supported by the UNESCO Japanese Funds-in-Trust, has introduced participants with the basic theoretical knowledge to understand the tangible and intangible aspects of marine cultural heritage, its connections with communities, and its importance to harness sustainable social, economic, and ecological development. Furthermore, the workshop has widely presented the different tools and approaches to underwater archaeological research and integrated cultural heritage management within the framework of the UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
Several innovation projects within the Rising from the Depths Network illustrated, with vivid case studies from the region, the different challenges and potentials of marine cultural heritage research, enhancement, and preservation. The key relation between nature and culture, and its wider connection to society and governance shown through these cases demonstrate the need for synergies, and integrated, inclusive, participatory, and interdisciplinary management approaches. The presentations from the RftD projects included in the UNESCO were recorded and are accessible here below: