IPCH Convenes Global Leaders in Cultural Heritage at Yale

In April 2025, Yale’s Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (IPCH) convened global leaders in cultural heritage for a dynamic week-long series of public talks, Preserving Cultural Heritage: Global Strategies and Perspectives, featuring innovative voices shaping the future of museums, libraries, and cultural institutions around the world. 

The series is part of IPCH’s broader mission to advance the preservation and care of cultural heritage through global exchange, professional development, and collaboration with institutions across the Global South. Several speakers are fellows of the Yale Directors Forum, IPCH’s flagship international program— a prestigious 18-month fellowship designed to support and advance the work of global leaders in cultural heritage who are driving change in their communities.

Over the course of the week, guest speakers engaged with Yale students, faculty, and staff across the campus, offering insights, building networks, and fostering dialogue on shared challenges and bold new strategies in cultural heritage preservation. 

“This series reflects our commitment to creating a global platform for leaders whose work is shaping the future of cultural heritage,” said Charlotte Ashamu, Director of International Programs at IPCH. “It’s also a powerful example of what’s possible through cross-campus collaboration—from art and policy to business and community engagement. Yale is uniquely positioned to amplify these voices and catalyze solutions that resonate far beyond our campus.”

Global Strategies and Perspectives in Cultural Heritage 

• Wanjiru Koinange, Co-Founder of Book Bunk, spoke about transforming Kenya’s colonial-era libraries into inclusive community spaces that honor local histories.

• Seun Oduwole, Co-Founder and Director of Living Object, shared the vision behind the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Lagos, Nigeria, which blends architecture, oral storytelling, and multimedia in groundbreaking ways.

• Oyindamola (Fakeye) Faithful, Executive Director of Centre for Contemporary Art Lagos (Nigeria), and El Hadji Malick Ndiaye, Head of the Théodore Monod Museum of African Art (Senegal), discussed their institutional strategies for community outreach and strengthening collections care—with support from IPCH.   

• Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, Mongolia’s former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, shared her powerful work recovering stolen dinosaur fossils and leading policy change to safeguard Mongolia’s cultural heritage. 

The event was made possible through campus-wide collaboration, with support from Yale’s School of Management, Yale Library DEIA, Yale Schwarzman Center, the Jackson School of Global Affairs, and the Yale School of Art. 

Recordings of select talks are available here online: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUmVWgClhmhqpQXyuNq_pGwvm01K2ncUv&si=IYRh9Zru9_FrYvzO.