ICCROM And Fabbrica Di San Pietro Forge New Alliance To Empower African Youth In Heritage Conservation
In a demonstration of shared commitment to heritage and the next generation, ICCROM Director-General Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral and the President of the Fabbrica di San Pietro in the Vatican His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a new strategic partnership rooted in conservation, craftsmanship, and international cooperation.
The agreement sets the stage for collaborative projects and joint capacity-building initiatives focused on restoration, conservation, and the sustainable care of cultural heritage, with particular attention to the enhancement of craftsmanship skills. At its core is a commitment to empowering local expertise, safeguarding Africa’s rich heritage, and creating socio-economic opportunities for youth through skills development.
Already on the horizon for this partnership is a transformative three-year Programme, generously supported by the Government of Italy through the Directorate General for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The initiative will offer immersive training opportunities for African artisans and craftspeople, drawing on over five centuries of knowledge and craftsmanship safeguarded at the Fabbrica di San Pietro.
Using a cascading capacity-building approach, participants will combine skills acquired at the Vatican with traditional knowledge from their own countries, multiplying impact through knowledge exchange within their wider communities. Institutions in Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, and Tunisia will lead this dynamic exchange.
The project is also in line with Italy’s broader international cooperation strategies, including the Mattei Plan, reinforcing sustainable, equitable, and mutually beneficial partnerships across the African content.
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