Objectives:
The Ministry derives its mandate from the Namibian Constitution, in particular Article 20 which deals with education, and Articles 19 and 21 which make provision for arts and culture. The Ministry’s mission is to educate and train for sustainable national development and promote arts and culture, with a vision to be a Ministry of Excellence in providing quality education and promoting arts and culture for the prosperity of the Nation. The aim is to encourage mutual understanding, respect and tolerance and thus to achieve national unity. The preservation of the cultural legacy is another priority.
Restitution measures:
The National Arts Council of Namibia works to unlock the creative potential of the nation, thereby contributing to a rich Namibian identity, and to build an enabling environment for the identification, support and development of the creative talents of all Namibians. Various laws apply to arts and culture, including the National Archives and Libraries Act, 1992 and Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Protection Act, 1994.
Limitations:
The policy framework lacks specific mechanisms for international cultural property restitution. While it establishes domestic cultural preservation mandates, it does not provide direct authority for pursuing restitution claims from foreign institutions or negotiating international heritage recovery agreements.
