1.0 BACKGROUND:
WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN SOUTH ASIA
World Heritage Sites (WHS) are places of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) to humanity. Outstanding to the extent that it means cultural or natural significance that transcends national boundaries. These sites are also the most important symbols of the long standing cultural ties that existed in the region for centuries. Most of these sites are still part of the living heritage of the communities and are strongly linked to the contemporary life. The permanent protection of the world’s cultural and natural heritage is of high importance to present and future generations.
As on 1 July 2013, the UNESCO World Heritage List includes 981 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage. These include 759 cultural, 193 natural and 29 mixed properties in 160 Countries. Out of these 53 properties (42 cultural properties + 11 natural properties) are located in the South Asian region. India has the maximum number (30) of World Heritage Properties (24 Cultural Properties + 6 Natural Properties), while Afghanistan has the minimum (2). Bhutan and Maldives do not have any property listed in the World Heritage List.
The World Heritage Committee has also decided to include 44 properties on the List of “World Heritage in Danger” in accordance with Article 11 (4) of their CONVENTION. These include two properties located in Afghanistan.
In addition, the World Heritage Committee has listed 1,583 Properties in 172 States under a Tentative List. These include 87 properties spread the South Asian region. As per the rules of the World heritage Committee, Nominations to the World Heritage List cannot be considered unless the nominated property has already been included on the State Party's Tentative List.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
With a view to promoting conservation and management of World Heritage Sites in South Asia through capacity-building amongst the mid/ senior level professionals from South Asian countries, the SAARC Cultural Centre in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, would organize a 6-day Workshop on ‘Management Systems of World Heritage Sites in South Asia’, in Pakistan.
The Workshop will focus on the shared understanding of the diverse systems and mechanisms in the SAARC region that exist for the management of a variety of sites (monuments, religious places, archaeological sites, cave sites etc.). It would then aim at developing and improving these systems with a view to guarantee the protection of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), authenticity and integrity of the World Heritage Sites. The purpose of this program would be to help promote the conservation and management of World Heritage Sites in the region and transmit them to future generations in accordance with the Article 4 of the World Heritage Convention.
3.0 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of the Workshop are to:
- DISCUSS the country situation (of the SAARC Member States) related to World Heritage Sites;
- IDENTIFY challenges in management of World Heritage Sites in the SAARC region;
- SHARE AND IMPROVE management skills of the Heritage Professionals of the region;
- RECOGNIZE the role of Non-State stakeholders as well as that of the allied sectors (e.g. tourism, handicrafts etc.) in the management of World Heritage Sites in the SAARC region; and
- SUGGEST ways and means to improve the capacity and effectiveness of government and other funding agencies to optimise resources required the management of World Heritage Sites in the SAARC region.
- ADVOCATE the use of World Heritage Sites in South Asia to promote the SAARC spirit.
4.0 STRUCTURE OF THE WORKSHOP
The Workshop will be structured on building/ sharing knowledge through lectures, discussion, and case studies on existing management systems relating to the World Heritage Sites. It will consolidate the gained knowledge through developing improved management systems for the World Heritage Site in participants own countries. The Workshop will also take into consideration the World Heritage Guidelines 2008, when discussing potential policies and management plans. Based on these documents the Participants can then review the current situation of management of World Heritage Sites in their respective countries. Discussions will be held on both positive and negative aspects of the management systems which include:
• three elements (legal, institutional, resources),
• three processes (planning, implementation and monitoring), and
• three results (outputs, outcomes and inputs).
5.0 DATES AND VENUE
The SAARC Capacity Building Workshop on ‘Management Systems Of World Heritage Sites in South Asia’ will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan for 6 days from 26 (Monday) to 31 (Saturday) August 2013.
6.0 PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL SEMINAR
The Nominees for the Workshop may be selected from amongst diverse disciplines viz. architects, planners, archaeologists, restorers, engineers, site managers, and those working with local authorities with experience in the field of management of cultural heritage/ sites. Priority should be given to people working at a decision-making level and those dealing with World Heritage Sites or associated institutes/ organizations. In addition, participants should be in a position to influence practice in the field or have the potential to do so in the short or medium term;
Participants should be in good health and able complete all course activities. Participants should be willing to follow-up with the programmes at the SAARC Cultural Centre.
6.1 OFFICIAL NOMINEES FROM THE MEMBER STATES:
The SAARC Cultural Centre invites all the Member States to send three nominations, as OFFICIAL DELEGATES from amongst mid/ senior level professionals engaged in the conservation and management of the World Heritage Sites in the respective Member State. [Note: The host Government can nominate up to 10 participants]. Prior to the workshop, they would be required to prepare a presentation on management systems/ issues for World Heritage Sites based on their own country experiences. They would also be engaged in Post-course follow-up and networking for the long-term capacity-building efforts in the region.
6.2 ACCOMPANYING PERSONS:
Every person accompanying the official nominees of the SAARC Member States will be required to pay a registration fee of US $ 500/- towards his/ her boarding and lodging during the Seminar. All such accompanying persons will be accommodated with the respective official nominee on full board/ twin-sharing basis.
6.3 REGISTRATION FEE:
Official nominees of the SAARC Member States : Nil
Accompanying persons of the Official nominees : 500.00 US$
All payments are to be made in favour of the SAARC Cultural Centre, Colombo, either through e-payment OR in cash at the registration counter at the Seminar.
For E-payment:
Name of the Bank : Bank of Ceylon
Address : Torrington Square Branch, Colombo -07 (Sri Lanka)
Sri Lankan Rupee A/c : 0009773920
US $ A/c : 9825298
Swift Code : BCEYLKLX
6.4 NOMINATION PROCESS:
All nominations should be sent through duly filled in Registration Form together with a detailed CV of the Nominee.
6.5 LAST DATE FOR NOMINATIONS:
The last date for sending the nominations/ registration forms is 31 July 2013.
7.0 LANGUAGE OF THE SEMINAR
The language for the Workshop would be English. Proficiency in English is essential for all Participants as they would be asked to make presentations and participate in discussions. All course content and outputs will be in English.
8.0 LOGISTIC SUPPORT
8.1 LOCAL HOSPITALITY
The SAARC Cultural Centre would provide the local hospitality (hotel accommodation on full board basis, airport transfers and the local transport) to all official nominees of the SAARC Member States and also to their registered accompanying persons.
8.2 AIRFARE
The airfare of the official delegates of the SAARC Member States is to be borne by the respective Member State as per the SAARC practice. The registered accompanying persons are required to arrange for their airfare themselves.
8.3 WORKSHOP FACILITIES
The Workshop facilities (delegate kit, tea, working lunch), as well as invitation to special event, would be extended to all official nominees of the SAARC Member States and registered accompanying persons.
9.0 WORKSHOP OUTCOME
The last session of the Workshop will hold a Plenary Session which would summarise the main suggestions emerging out of the deliberations and prepare a document laying out a road-map in the form of recommendations for the SAARC Member States.
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