World Heritage Authenticity Evaluation Framework: From Attribute-Centric to OUV-Centred

This chapter examines the framework for assessing authenticity in the context of cultural World Heritage, focusing on the 1972 World Heritage Convention and the Operational Guidelines for its implementation adopted by the World Heritage Committee. It also explores the framework for the assessment of authenticity as part of the world heritage evaluation. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the distinction between two frameworks based on attributes and OUV, and the approaches proposed in both for authenticity evaluation. It argues that adopting an OUV-centred approach would be more conducive to incorporating regional perspectives and other intangible forms of heritage, such as in the African context. It provides concrete case studies from Africa and demonstrates how and why an OUV-centred approach yields different outcomes and offers a greater contextual applicability in Africa and other regions. It further proposes an alternative interpretation grounded in the same underlying framework, enhanced by integrating contextual and regional perspectives adapted to the dynamic implementation of the Convention. The goal is to establish a more feasible framework for authenticity evaluation that accommodates the dynamic nature of African heritage.