Situating Heritage & Cultural Protection Fund in Lebanon [afikra Conversations]
David Knox, Joanne Farchakh Bajjaly and Assaad Seif talked about situating heritage and cultural protection fund in Lebanon.
David Knox was appointed Country Director, Lebanon in September 2018. He comes with over 30 years’ experience of cultural relations and international development. Prior to Beirut, in his role as Director, MENA, Governance and Civil Society based in Cairo (2014-18), he led the British Council’s work with a focus on young people’s empowerment and specifically on gender equality. During this period, he negotiated the organisation’s entry into PVE work, building on the strength of the British Council cultural relations approach.
Assaad Seif held first-line positions at the Lebanese Ministry of Culture ranging from the head of the archaeology and heritage research departments to serving as an advisor for the Minister of Culture. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of CMAS - Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites - a Tailor & Francis publication. He is also a research consultant at the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRSL).
Joanne Farchakh Bajjaly is an archaeologist and journalist who has worked from 1998 till 2013 in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq documenting discoveries and destruction of heritage in the Middle East. She wrote in several Lebanese newspapers and co-edited with Professor Peter Stone the book "The Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Iraq" winner in 2011 James R. Wiseman Book Award. After witnessing the loss of heritage, she decided to start "working" on the topic. In 2005, she founded Biladi, an NGO dedicated to promote and safeguard heritage through training for professionals and education activities.
About the afikra Conversations
Our long-form interview series features academics, arts, and media experts who are helping document and/or shape the history and culture of the Arab world through their work. Our hope is that by having the guest share their expertise and story, the community still walks away with newfound curiosity - and maybe some good recommendations about new nerdy rabbit holes to dive into headfirst. Following the interview, there is a moderated town-hall-style Q&A with questions coming from the live virtual audience on Zoom. Join the live audience: https://www.afikra.com/rsvp
