Venn’s Town World Heritage Nomination Discussed Ahead of Technical Workshop
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The nomination of the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List was among the key topics discussed yesterday afternoon during a meeting at the National Library between the executive director of the African World Heritage Fund, Dr Albino Jopela, and the secretary general of the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts, David André.
Dr Jopela, accompanied by Dr Pascall Taruvinga and Rim Kelouaze, is in Seychelles to conduct a technical review workshop on the World Heritage nomination dossier for the site. The workshop, scheduled from August 26 to 29 at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort and Casino, marks a significant step forward in Seychelles’ long-standing effort to have the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town inscribed on the World Heritage List. The sessions will run from 9am to 6pm and will be divided into several sections, with a key focus on the nomination dossier, which involves input and collaboration from various ministries.
The institute has been working on the dossier since 2010, reflecting a sustained commitment to the preservation and recognition of this important historical site. Dr Jopela noted that discussions about the nomination began as early as 2011 with local experts. He explained that, since 2021, the process of nominating a site has changed to a two-step approach, and that February 1, 2026 is the last window for a country to submit a nomination file without going through a pre-phase assessment. The National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts is calling on all relevant ministries and individuals to contribute the necessary information and expertise to strengthen the dossier ahead of its submission to UNESCO. Cécile Kalebi, permanent secretary for the institute, was also present at the meeting.
