Capacity Building Workshop on the World Heritage Nomination of the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town

This morning marked the official opening of the five-day Capacity Building Workshop on the World Heritage Nomination of the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town, taking place from 25–29 August 2025 at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Hotel.

Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Albino Jopela, Executive Director of the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), and Mr. David André, Secretary General of the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage and the Arts. Following this, Ms. Rim Kelouaze presented the workshop objectives and expected results, while Dr. Jopela guided participants through the World Heritage Nomination process.

This workshop represents a major step forward in Seychelles’ journey to inscribe the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It will provide intensive technical support to the national team, who have been working for years on this dossier, and will focus on strengthening key nomination elements such as:

– Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)

– Authenticity and Integrity

– Comparative Analysis

– Protection, Management & Monitoring

Through presentations, peer reviews, and hands-on practical sessions led by international experts Ms. Rim Kelouaze and Dr. Pascal Taruvinga, alongside Dr. Albino Jopela, participants will work collaboratively to enhance the nomination dossier, agree on a clear roadmap and timeline for submission, and build stronger national capacity to manage heritage nominations in the future.

Beyond the technical discussions, this workshop is a powerful reminder that the Mission Ruins of Venn’s Town is more than just a historical site—it is a living testimony to Seychelles’ cultural identity and the nation’s resilience. By strengthening the nomination dossier, Seychelles is taking concrete steps to ensure that this story is preserved, celebrated, and shared with the world through the UNESCO World Heritage platform.