Juba 4/12/2015: On 6th December the South Sudan Musicians’ Union (SSMU), with support from UNESCO and other partners, will be hosting a Unite for Heritage event aimed at bringing together the people of South Sudan to support the campaign for national peace and reconciliation. The SSMU promotes music as a tool for peace, unity and development. This event will therefore bring together a range of musicians from across the region to pave the way for national peace and reconciliation in South Sudan.

UNESCO is supporting this event within the framework of #Unite4Heritage global campaign, aimed at celebrating and safeguarding cultural heritage and diversity around the world. Launched in response to the unprecedented recent attacks on heritage globally, the campaign calls on everyone to stand up against extremism and radicalization by celebrating the places, objects and cultural traditions that make the world such a rich, tolerant and vibrant place. Cultural heritage includes intangible forms such as performance, knowledge and cultural traditions, which must be safeguarded alongside built heritage. It's the diversity of cultural expressions that form the basis of the rich fabric of human civilisation. Given the rich cultural heritage of South Sudan, the #Unite4Heritage campaign is the perfect channel to build peace and tolerance.