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Cultural property is significant for the people and communities that created it. The importance of cultural property as "a cultural property constitutes one of the basic elements of civilization and national culture, and that its true value can be appreciated only in relation to the fullest possible information regarding its origin, history and traditional setting" and its interchange among countries for scientific, cultural, and educational purposes has been acknowledged worldwide. However, over time, cultural property has been lost due to various factors, including, colonialism, illicit trafficking, and armed conflict, leading to the dissociation of such property from its place of origin. The deprivation of such property impacts people and communities, leading to a loss of culture and identity. The return and restitution of illicitly appropriated cultural property to its places of origin is a crucial matter, offering opportunities for conflict resolution and reconciliation processes.

In 2021, during the “online regional dialogue on the fight against illicit trafficking on cultural property and the return and restitution of cultural property” held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, UNESCO highlighted the need for strengthened cooperation and enhanced capacities at national and regional levels for the restitution of cultural property. Furthermore, following the MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration for Culture, UNESCO Member States called for open and inclusive international dialogue for the return and restitution of cultural property, including illegally exported property, to countries of origin, under the aegis of UNESCO. This was recognized as an ethical imperative to foster the right of peoples and communities to enjoy their cultural heritage.

This call also came in response to increasing claims from concerned countries seeking to strengthen social cohesion, intergenerational transmission of cultural heritage, and the effective implementation of existing legal frameworks or policies for the return of cultural property to its countries of origin or its restitution in cases of illicit appropriation. This proactive mediation, notably through the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of Illicit Appropriation (ICPRCP), recalled UNESCO's leading role in assisting Member States in the conservation and management of cultural property in situ through capacity building and the promotion of educational and culturally sensitive approaches, notably in museums and cultural institutions. The organization is committed to advocate for the return of cultural property to its places of origin. 

In alignment with these efforts, the African Union, through its Agenda 2063, has placed a strong emphasis on the importance of cultural heritage in fostering a sense of identity and unity across the continent. The African Union Agenda 2063, is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of Africa. Through Aspiration 5 of the agenda, The African Union recognizes the return and restitution of cultural property as vital to achieving its goals of cultural renaissance and sustainable development. The African Union has committed to supporting Member States in reclaiming their cultural assets, thus restoring historical integrity and promoting cultural exchanges that enhance mutual understanding and cooperation among African nations. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of Agenda 2063 to build an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

The “Reclaiming Our Heritage - Harnessing Educational Pathways for the Return and Restitution of Cultural Property in Southern Africa” project is a collaborative response by the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa, the University of Pretoria, and African Union Development Agency - New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) to address capacity gaps in the field of return and restitution on the continent. The project seeks to support the creation of a new cohort of Southern African negotiators, mediators and conciliators with the necessary skills and knowledge to support the return and restitution of stolen or displaced cultural property to its country of origin, thereby contributing significantly to protect and promote the continent’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

Within the framework of the above context and under the overall authority of the Regional Director and the direct supervision of the Head of the Culture Unit, the qualified organizations or individuals shall:

1. Produce a report on the efforts to promote the return and restitution of cultural property in Southern Africa. The objectives of the report are to:

• Analyse existing national policies and measures governing cultural property dedicated to the return and restitution in Southern Africa. 
• Map recent initiatives by Southern African countries to promote the return and restitution of cultural property. 
• Identify and analyse national, regional and international key stakeholders’ involvement in efforts to promote the return and restitution of cultural property in Southern Africa. 
• Review the current role of higher education and research institutions in supporting cultural property return and restitution in Southern Africa.

2. Present the Report on the efforts to promote the return and restitution of cultural property in Southern Africa to stakeholders at a workshop convened by UNESCO in Pretoria, South Africa, in the second semester of 2024 (date to be determined).

1. A Report on the efforts to promote the return and restitution of cultural property in Southern Africa.  
2. An executive summary and a PowerPoint presentation for the workshop outlining the main findings and recommendations. 

Activities are expected to be completed over a period of one (1) month from the date of signing the contract with UNESCO.

The budget will be discussed based on the Financial and Technical proposal of the selected candidate.