Prehistoric Moroccan Heritage Honoured At UNESCO
MOROCCO and UNESCO have partnered to preserve its prehistoric heritage that makes the country a renowned cradle of humankind. The North Africa country has been driven by a deep desire to ensure that it highlights the various categories of its multi- millennial heritage and to make an effective intellectual contribution to the concept of heritage of humanity.
The Kingdom of Morocco’s launch of the exhibition and symposium on June 17, at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, took place under the patronage of King Mohammed VI. The participation of researchers and specialists in prehistoric sciences from various Moroccan and international academic institutions added to the fanfare of the launch.
Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, and the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay were joined at the launch by the advisor to HM the King, André Azoulay, the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN organization, Samir Addahre, Morocco ambassador to Paris, Mohamed Benchaaboune, and the President of the National Foundation of Museums of Morocco, Mehdi Qotbi.
The opening of the exhibition and symposium, intended to present the richness and diversity of the kingdom’s prehistoric heritage and highlight recent archaeological discoveries. It was also attended by ambassadors of several countries to UNESCO, personalities from the arts and culture and a host of researchers and specialists in prehistoric sciences.
UNESCO Director General, Azoulay stressed the importance of the international event of prehistory that continues to “question what we are, what we have in common, our place in the scale of time and in the scale of life”.
Congratulating Morocco for this initiative, Azoulay said she was “very pleased that this high- level scientific dialogue is being held at UNESCO in a field of study and research that is booming and needs international perspectives. This field also needs to cross disciplines to advance knowledge, because prehistory, which is a heritage of humanity, is far from being a frozen and mythical moment”.
She welcomed Morocco’s support for UNESCO’S efforts in the various areas of its competence, including hosting several forums and conferences, including the 7th International Conference on Adult Education ( CONFINTEA VII) recently held in Marrakech.
The Director General further announced the upcoming annual conference on intangible heritage of UNESCO at the invitation of the kingdom.