Objectives:
The main objective of this policy is to preserve, promote, and leverage the Rwanda’s cultural identity for socio-economic development and national unity.
Restitution Measures:
Rwanda’s National Cultural Heritage Policy supports restitution and repatriation by framing the return of material heritage as a decolonial act of justice and reclamation. It envisions the use of “strategic internationalism,” leveraging diplomatic channels to negotiate the return of belongings. It also promotes involving communities in the identification and reintegration of returned belongings, ensuring the restitution process supports the rehabilitation of local culture and history.
Limitations:
Non retroactivity of international law and limited decolonized museum infrastructure. This served as the impetus for developing the Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy.
