The mythical AfricaMuseum, also known as the Royal Museum of Central Africa, situated in Tervuren, Belgium, is embarking on a historic five-year cooperation program with its Congolese partners from 2024 to 2029. This initiative signifies a significant milestone in fostering a strong bilateral relationship through mutual exchanges and collaboration. Bart Ouvry, the Director General of the AfricaMuseum, along with a team, visited Kinshasa to officially kickstart this new era of cooperation.
The purpose of this visit was to understand the specific needs of the Congolese partners to better tailor the collaboration. The primary objective of this joint effort is to enhance research and understanding of cultural and natural heritage while promoting sustainable and inclusive development. Planned activities include research on cultural heritage management, biodiversity conservation, efforts against tropical diseases, and the promotion of sustainable development practices.
The partnership between AfricaMuseum and Congolese institutions such as the Institute of National Museums of Congo and the Academy of Fine Arts of Kinshasa reflects a shared commitment to researching and preserving common heritage. This collaboration, supported by Belgian cooperation, will involve approximately one hundred Congolese doctoral students in research projects at the museum, opening up new horizons for scientific research in the DRC.
The issue of restitution of looted cultural artifacts remains pertinent, acknowledging the necessity to return illegally acquired objects from the colonial era to their rightful owners. While the 2022 law sets the foundation for this restitution, a bilateral agreement between the Belgian and Congolese governments is essential to materialize this process.
The Belgian federal state’s financial commitment of 3.3 million euros over four years towards restitution demonstrates a tangible commitment to rectifying past injustices and fostering a more equitable relationship between Belgium and the DRC. This partnership, built on cooperation, dialogue, and mutual respect, presents new opportunities for scientific research, heritage preservation, and sustainable development in the DRC.
For more information on this collaboration, you can visit the following links: link1, link2, and link3.