ADDIS ABABA – In a recent interview, UNESCO Representative to the African Union and Ethiopia, Rita Bissoonauth, emphasized the critical need for incorporating cultural elements into the education curricula of African nations to enhance community resilience and identity.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, during her discussion with ENA, culture is fundamental to building a comprehensive educational framework that supports strong community identities and resilience. She pointed out that understanding cultural heritage is vital for maintaining a sense of identity in a globalized world. “If we do not know our culture, if we do not know our identity, we are all lost in this world,” Bissoonauth remarked, highlighting the importance of cultural education.

UNESCO, which holds a unique mandate within the United Nations system to oversee both culture and education, is actively working to integrate culture and the arts into education. This approach is seen as crucial for human development. The organization is also committed to protecting the world’s cultural and natural heritages and promoting creativity within cultural sectors to tackle global challenges such as climate change, poverty, inequality, and technological divides.

Further, UNESCO champions the education of both tangible and intangible heritage as a means to expand knowledge and enhance intercultural understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen heritage protection and enrich educational content across the continent.