LAHORE
\nThe British Council marked ten years of the Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) by convening the Pakistan Heritage Exchange, a two-day capacity-building and knowledge-sharing programme held at Alhamra, Lahore.
\nThe exchange brought together heritage practitioners, policymakers, researchers and community custodians from across Pakistan, the UK and South Asia, underscoring the British Council\u2019s commitment to cultural exchange, protection and UK\u2013Pakistan collaboration.
\nJames Hampson, Country Director, British Council Pakistan, said: \u201cThe Cultural Protection Fund is investing in people who protect Pakistan\u2019s cultural heritage. The British Council will continue to play an important role in building the skills, knowledge and understanding of heritage professionals who are at the forefront of this work.\u201d
\nUsman Sami, President,ICOMOS Pakistan, said \u201cThe Pakistan Heritage Exchange highlights the importance of shared learning and locally grounded heritage practice, and demonstrates how cultural partnerships can strengthen heritage protection in rapidly changing contexts. As programming partner, ICOMOS Pakistan welcomed the opportunity to contribute to a programme focused on knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and future collaboration.\u201d
\nOver two days, participants explored Pakistan\u2019s rich cultural landscape \u2014 from ancient sites to living traditions \u2014 while addressing growing challenges including climate change, urbanisation and limited sector resources. Discussions highlighted the importance of partnership and community-led approaches in safeguarding heritage.
\nThe programme featured keynote addresses, panel discussions and practical workshops focused on strengthening networks and building sector resilience. Day one concluded with a powerful performance by Ustad Noor Bakhsh, celebrating the living traditions at the heart of cultural heritage.
\nNow in its tenth year, the Cultural Protection Fund protects heritage at risk from conflict and climate change. Since 2022, it has supported projects across Pakistan, from preserving maritime heritage in the Indus Delta and Hazara cultural practices, to restoring Buddhist rock carvings in Swat, rehabilitating Silk Route architecture, supporting the Mohana community at Manchar Lake, and revitalising Karachi\u2019s Khaliqdina Hall and Library.
\nEstablished in 2016 by the British Council and funded by the UK Government\u2019s Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Fund has supported 149 projects across 16 countries, investing in conservation, documentation, skills development and community resilience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE The British Council marked ten years of the Cultural Protection Fund (CPF) by convening the Pakistan Heritage Exchange, a two-day capacity-building and knowledge-sharing programme held at Alhamra, Lahore. The exchange brought together heritage practitioners, policymakers, researchers and community custodians from across Pakistan, the UK and South Asia, underscoring the British Council\u2019s commitment to cultural […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":531760,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-531736","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n