Hononorable Tumiso Rakgare paid a courtesy call on the UNESCO Assistant Director General for Culture, Mr Ernesto Ottone

assist UNESCO with ICH experts who have provided training on the 2003 Convention both locally and internationally.

On Education and Culture best practices, Rakgare posited that teachers have been trained on the Seperu Folkdance and Assosciated Practices as an effort to ensure transmission of the element to start at primary school level.Rakgare stated that bootcamps were also organised where master- potters transfered Earthenware Pottery making skills to teachers,primary school and secondary school students.

Hon Rakgare expressed concern at the National Policy on Culture’s Development 20 years ago,calling for its review with a clear policy and action plan aligned to UNESCO Culture Conventions.

Rakgare ended his address by requesting for technical and financial assistance to determine and develop cultural and creative industry value chains as Botswana has determined it critical for the growth of the creative sector.

For his part, UNESCO Ass Director divulged that they will look into the possibility for funding ICH activities such as trainings as well as assisting in the formulation of a revised National Policy of culture. These endevours he said could go a long way in the leveraging of Intangible Cultural Heritage as a means of nation building, facilitating growth and diversifying economies.

After consultation on the subject of funding requested by Hon. Minister, Assistant Director General responded positively, announcing that after assessing the submitted reports, they will indeed do due diligence in extending an arm of support.