Deirdre Prins-Solani

Deirdre Prins-Solani stands as a pioneering figure in cultural heritage preservation and education, bringing over three decades of expertise in both tangible and intangible cultural heritage to her role as a UNESCO Global Network Facilitator. Her work spans continents, conducting vital capacity-building training across Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia Pacific regions while pursuing groundbreaking research as an MPhil student in Southern Urbanism at the African Centre for Cities, UCT. Her innovative approach to heritage preservation integrates living heritage, memory, and interior worlds into transformative urban planning, making her a sought-after expert in sustainable development and policy design. As the former Director for Heritage Development in Africa and co-creator of the International Council of Museums' first massive open online course on inclusive museums, she has significantly influenced heritage education and preservation practices globally. Her expertise in conflict resolution and peace-building methods has enhanced heritage preservation work, while her emphasis on gender perspectives and community-based approaches has promoted more inclusive heritage practices. Currently moderating UNESCO's global facilitators network and continuing her research on integrating living heritage into spatial planning, she remains at the forefront of developing innovative approaches to cultural heritage preservation and urban development, ensuring that heritage practices remain relevant and transformative in contemporary contexts.