Dates: 4 September – 4 October 2012

Place: Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (Nara Prefectural Government, Nara Branch Office, 757 Horen-cho, Nara, Japan) and related research institutions.

Partners

Bunkacho (Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan)

Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU)

National Institutes for Cultural Heritage

National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo and Nara, Japan

Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage (JCIC-Heritage)

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Japanese National Commission for UNESCO

Nara Prefectural Government

Nara Municipal Government

ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)

Background In Asia and the Pacific region, there are various forms of cultural heritage which are of great value from a global point of view. Proper investigation, analysis, preservation and development of these sites and remains are required of heritage professionals, in order to ensure that this important cultural heritage is safeguarded for future generations. ACCU Nara, in partnership with ICCROM and Bunkacho, has been organizing courses since 2000 on this topic with a view to build the capacities of professionals who have been working on cultural heritage protection in the region. This course aims to provide participants with the latest methodologies and technologies for investigation, conservation and management of archaeological sites.

ObjectivesThe objectives of the course are to:

provide participants with knowledge of principles and methodologies for the protection of archaeological sites;

provide participants with knowledge of the principles, methodologies and techniques concerning management and use of archaeological sites;

provide participants with knowledge and skills related techniques of recording and analytical methods for archaeological sites;

provide participants with an opportunity to establish a network with colleagues from the region and share experiences.

Curriculum Lectures

Global Trends in Conservation of Archaeological Sites

The Cultural Property Protection System in Japan

Risk Management of Cultural Properties

Conservation and Use of Cultural Heritage Resources in Japan

Introduction to Scientific Methods: environmental archaeology, dendrochronology, conservation science, etc.

Practical training and on-site lectures

Workshop on recording/documentation of artefacts

Study tour on preservation, development and use of archaeological sites

Presentation and discussion

Presentations by participants on the current status of archaeological conservation in each country, and exchange of views

Discussion on future issues and vision of the conservation of archaeological sites

Recapitulation of the training sessions

ParticipantsApplication procedure and content The course is offered to participants from the following 39 signatory countries of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (see below). The application form should arrive at ACCU Nara no later than 20 June 2012 along with the endorsement of the UNESCO National Commission in the country concerned, or the endorsement of the member of the Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage. The documents necessary for application are the following.

Application Form (Form 1)Please attach a copy of the passport, if the applicant has a valid passport.

Report related to the applicant’s achievements in archaeological heritage conservation.This achievement report should be written by the applicant and should be a brief summary of present and previous work related to the theme of archaeological heritage conservation. This report should be no longer than 5 – 7 pages and will be weighted heavily in the selection of the participants.

Letter of Recommendation by NATCOM or by the member of Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage.

Letter of recommendation by the head of the organization to which the applicant belongs (Annex 1)

Documentation indicating English proficiency (if obtained).

Completed applications should be sent by post and/or email to the Secretariat of the ACCU Nara Office at the address below. Only complete applications with all necessary documents will be considered.

The following are the 39 signatories of the World Heritage Convention from Asia and the Pacific: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyz, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rep. of Korea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga ,Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants should:

be professionals, 45 years old or younger, who are engaged in the conservation, preservation, restoration or management of archaeological sites, and who can make effective use of the results of the course upon returning to his or her home country;

have a good command of English, the working language for all lectures, so that they can deliver presentations and write reports (ACCU Nara Office and ICCROM shall be allowed to use all contents of presentations and reports, including drawings and photographs, for future publication and cultural heritage protection programmes);

attend the entire training programme;

submit all of the required documents (listed above) within the deadlines outlined;

be those who will most likely continue exchanging information and interacting with ACCU after returning to their home countries;

not be previous participants in training courses organized by ACCU Nara Office (however, those who have participated in International Youth Exchange Programme and International Education Exchange Programme can apply for this programme).

Notification of screening results After consulting with other organizers, ACCU Nara will select 16 people (one participant per nation, in principle) from among all applicants around the end of July. Successful applications will be informed of the results along with each National Commission for UNESCO and the Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage.

Certificate of completion Each participant will be awarded a certificate upon completion of the course.

Working languageEnglish will be the working language throughout the course

Expenses Expenses during the Course shall be borne by ACCU Nara, as follows:

Travelling expensesEach of the participants (except those from Australia, Republic of Korea, and New Zealand) shall be provided with an economy class return air ticket from the nearest international airport from their residence to Kansai International Airport, and transportation fees between Kansai International Airport and Nara.

Living expensesParticipants shall be provided the basic living expenses incurred during the training course from 3 September (Monday) to 5 October (Friday) 2012. Arrangements for accommodations (a room for single occupancy) will be made by ACCU Nara.

Secretariat

Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara)Nara Pref. Nara Branch Office, 757 Horen-cho, Nara 630-8113 JAPANTel: +81-(0)742-20-5001Fax: +81-(0)742-20-5701E-mail: nara(at)accu.or.jp

Application deadline: 20 June 2012