Khaulah Abdulkadir

Project Coordinator, Friends of Lamu Cultural Heritage. Ms Khaulah Abdulkadir is a young cultural heritage professional based in Lamu Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over three years of experience in heritage documentation, digitization, education, communication and research. She is a recent alumna of the UNESCO World Heritage Young Professionals Forum and a delegate at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee. She currently serves in several voluntary capacities: as Secretary of Friends of Lamu Cultural Heritage, supporting the World Monuments Watch, and as Coordinator of the CHiFA–OWHC New Urban Heritage Regeneration Accelerator. In these roles, she works with partners to save traditional Swahili stone houses that are deteriorating mainly due to climate change, neglect, and financial constraints, with a focus on authentic restoration and the creation of functional spaces within the Old Town to generate revenue through cultural tourism and provide affordable living spaces. Ms Khaulah Abdulkadir also serves as Vice-Chair of ICCROM’s African Heritage Hubs Technical Working Group, contributing to the strategic planning and sustainability of the network. With certifications in Integrating Disaster Risk Management into World Heritage Management, Conservation, Project Management, Digital Tools in Heritage Management, and recognized as a Legacy Builder by the HERITΛGE Organization, she is committed to advancing heritage initiatives in Africa, through active learning, and promoting the inclusion of youth and women from underrepresented areas in heritage practice, as well as creating meaningful impact in the field.