Jarju, who also serves as the country’s Focal Point for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), was selected from a large pool of applicants across the continent to participate in the 12-month mentorship programme organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris.
The prestigious programme brings together a select group of emerging African heritage professionals to strengthen technical expertise in World Heritage conservation, governance, site management and monitoring, while building a new generation of specialists capable of safeguarding Africa’s cultural and natural heritage.
NCAC officials said the intensive mentorship will equip participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills in World Heritage governance, management systems, statutory reporting and monitoring frameworks. Upon completion, participants are expected to support African State Parties, including The Gambia, in implementing the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention more effectively.
The Gambia is among the countries that have ratified the Convention and is home to two internationally recognised UNESCO World Heritage Sites—Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites, which symbolise the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the Stone Circles of Senegambia, one of Africa’s most significant archaeological landscapes.
UNESCO selected Jarju based on his extensive professional experience in heritage management and conservation. His credentials include serving as The Gambia’s national focal point for intangible cultural heritage, contributing to periodic reporting under UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, undertaking research on the relationship between cultural heritage and disaster risk reduction, and holding a master’s degree in tourism and heritage management.
Throughout the year-long programme, Jarju will undertake specialised training on UNESCO conventions and, key World Heritage principles including authenticity, integrity and the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The mentorship will also cover governance models, stakeholder engagement, heritage impact assessment, disaster risk management, sustainable tourism, conservation practices and international standards for protecting World Heritage properties.
In addition to enhancing technical knowledge, the programme will provide participants with opportunities to collaborate and exchange experiences with heritage experts and practitioners from across Africa and other parts of the world.
Reacting to the development, NCAC Director General Hassoum Ceesay described Jarju’s selection as a proud moment for both the institution and The Gambia.
He said the achievement reflects the country’s growing recognition in heritage conservation and supports NCAC’s broader objective of strengthening institutional capacity to meet its obligations under the UNESCO conventions while safeguarding the nation’s cultural legacy for future generations.
This international recognition is expected to further enhance The Gambia’s capacity to protect and promote its globally recognised heritage sites and reinforce the country’s contribution to heritage conservation efforts across the African continent.
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