MIC and Piano Mattei: Italian museums train African heritage

MIC and Piano Mattei: international training in Italian museums

The Italian Ministry of Culture, as part of the Piano Mattei for Africa, has started the residential phase of the International School of Cultural Heritage, a high-level training programme for heritage professionals from 12 African countries. After a distance module and a week of sessions in Rome (20-24 April 2026), from 27 April participants will undertake a one-month residency across six Italian museums and archaeological sites.

The programme combines training, scientific research and cooperation, aiming to strengthen curatorial and conservation skills and to promote institutional exchange between Italy and countries of the Mediterranean basin. The closing ceremony is scheduled in Rome on 22 May 2026.

• Participants: directors, curators, conservators, librarians and archivists from Algeria, Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania and Tunisia.
• Residency venues (from 27 April, one-month duration): Museum of Civilizations (MUCIV); Museums and Archaeological Parks of Praeneste and Gabii; National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA); National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN); National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria (MArRC); National Archaeological Museum of the Agro Falisco and Forte Sangallo of Civita Castellana.

Institutional relevance. The Culture Minister highlighted cultural diplomacy as a tool for dialogue and long-term cooperation, while the National School of Heritage noted the programme's role in providing targeted international training now in its fourth edition.