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As an artist, ethnomusicologist, scholar and a philanthropist, Damien Pwono pioneered numerous cultural and socio-economic initiatives around the world, leaving his mark in the culture sector along the way. His legacies include ground-breaking projects such as International Jazz Day, African Film Festival, the Royal Opera House Muscat, the World Culture Forum, Bellagio Publishing Network for African book development, and the Aspen Cultural Diplomacy Forum.

In observation of the World Decade for Cultural Development (1988-1997), Pwono, then still a student, initiated a training workshop on culture and development for the African Ministries of Culture. In preparation for the Stockholm Conference on Cultural Policies for Development (1998), he led the Pan-African Consultation which resulted in a massive participation of African experts and governments in the global Conference.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Damien obtained his doctorate degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 1992, before working on diverse programs at the Rockefeller Foundation and the Ford Foundations in the United States and Kenya. He joined the International Council of Music in Paris in 1997 and was appointed its Secretary General in 2003.

The prolific career of Damien Pwono closely aligned with UNESCO’s mandate in culture. From designing cultural policies, organizing cultural management trainings, calling for enhanced global market access for African artists, to addressing major challenges such as culture and security, he worked hand in hand with UNESCO colleagues around the globe, who enjoyed his friendship and professionalism.  He was one of the co-founders of the Observatory of Cultural Policies in Africa (OCPA), a close institutional partner of UNESCO.

A life-long mentor and teacher, Damien was passionate about supporting young talents. In the past few years, he dedicated his time to the transmission of his extensive knowledge and experiences to emerging cultural professionals. Pwono taught music and cultural management at the National Institute of Arts in Kinshasa, DRC, before becoming its Director General in 2022. He worked tirelessly to protect and promote diverse cultural expressions of the African continent, with the 2021 inscription of the Congolese Rumba as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage serving as one of his final legacies. The upcoming inauguration of the Cultural and Artistic Center for Central Africa will surely receive outpouring tributes, as he served as the designer and coordinator to this emblematic project for his sub-region.

"The life of Damien Pwono embodied cultural diplomacy in its most thoughtful form. UNESCO pays tribute to his tireless commitment to the development of culture sector in Africa and beyond spanning four decades. His conviction in culture as the cornerstone of peace will live on in his countless pioneering initiatives, as well as lives he touched and inspired," said Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture.

UNESCO extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Damien Pwono and will remember his visionary leadership in culture and sustainable development.