Cultural Heritage and Development: A Framework for Action in the Middle East and North Africa (Orientations in Development)

This book analyzes the cultural heritage sector in the Middle East and North Africa region and the World Bank's policy and operational experiences in this sector over the past six years--1996 to 2001. It also provides a description and an analysis of the experience of the Middle East and North Africa region in supporting patrimony preservation and outlines its strategy and options for future activities in this area. This volume offers operational suggestions for addressing some of the cultural, economic, institutional and financial problems of integrating patrimony management within development frameworks. The countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are blessed with an extraordinary cultural patrimony, secular and religious, of huge importance for each country and for humankind at large. The region is home to 48 sites already inscribed on the world heritage list maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and has an enormous nonmaterial heritage as well. The Middle East is also the cradle of the world's major monotheistic religions. This cultural patrimony is a cornerstone of many people's existence and nourishes their daily lives. It must continue to flourish. This report analyzes the cultural heritage sector in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, and the World Bank's policy and operational experiences in this sector over the past six years, 1996-2001. It has three objectives: 1) to explore the characteristics, capacities, needs, and constraints of the region's cultural sector and their relevance to overall country development; 2) to take stock, describe, and analyze the World Bank's past and current support for preservation and management of the region's cultural heritage; and 3) to extract the lessons of experience and define the strategy framework for future Bank assistance for preserving and managing the MENA region's patrimony. 1. The Cultural Sector In Mena Countries -- A. The Sector : Actors, Assets, Industries, And Instituions -- B. Loss Of Patrimony Treasures : Causes And Needs -- Ii. Cultural Heritage And World Bank Policies -- Ill. Economic Benefits And Poverty Reduction Through Ch Preservation -- Iv. World Bank Support For Cultural Heritage In The Mena Region -- V. Mena Strategic Priorities And Framework For Assistance -- A. Strategic Priorities -- B. Operational Steps -- C. Project Preparation Instruments -- D. Strengthening In-house Capacity -- Notes -- References -- Maps -- Illustration Credits. The World Bank. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [91]-95). Includes Illustration Credits (p. [101]-102). Machine generated contents note: 1. The Cultural Sector in MENA Countries A. The Sector: Actors, Assets, Industries, and Instituions B. Loss of Patrimony Treasures: Causes and Needs II. Cultural Heritage and World Bank Policies Ill. Economic Benefits and Poverty Reduction through CH Preservation IV. World Bank Support for Cultural Heritage in the MENA Region V. MENA Strategic Priorities and Framework for Assistance A Strategic Priorities B. Operational Steps C. Project Preparation Instruments D. Strengthening In-House Capacity Notes References Maps Illustration Credits.