Enhancing Economic Benefits of Archaeological World Heritage Sites

Prof. Brent Lane (Director University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and ICAHM Expert Member) presented a paper at the World Bank on the status of his ongoing research on the economic benefit of inscribing archaeological sites on the World Heritage List.

To see a pdf of his PowerPoint presentation, see What, Who and How? Enhancing Economic Benefits of Archaeological World Heritage Sites.

The World Monuments Fund's watch list for 2010

The WMF's watch list for 2010 includes 93 sites from 47 countries. The list includes: Phajoding, a remote monastery in Bhutan, traditional town houses in Kyoto, Machu Picchu, The Old City of Herat (Western Afghanistan - left) and bridges along Connecticut's Merritt Parkway.

"The 2010 watch makes it clear that cultural heritage efforts in the 21st century must recognize the critical importance of sustainable stewardship and that we must work closely with local partners to create viable and appropriate opportunities to advance this" World Monuments Fund President Bonnie Burnham.

Check out the Watch List.

Conservation Management Planning: case study from El Salvador

Castellanos, Carolina, and Françoise Descamps. Conservation Management Planning: Putting Theory into Practice. The Case of Joya de Cerén, El Salvador. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute, 2009.

This document analyzes the experience at Joya de Cerén. It illustrates the flexibility of the method used and critically reflects on the limitations and challenges faced throughout implementation of the planning process. Through examination of lessons learned, the document highlights key matters to consider for implementing a sustainable and successful management planning effort.

Downloadable in two sections.

Getty AATA Online

AATA Online is a free online database containing over 110,000 abstracts of literature published from 1932 to the present covering the conservation and management of material cultural heritage, including works of art, cultural objects, architectural heritage, archaeological sites and materials, and ethical and legal issues. Approximately 1,000 new abstracts of journal articles, conference proceedings, books, theses, audiovisual works, and technical reports are added each quarter.

Check for the latest AATA.

IX World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities

Historic cities are often perceived as a major asset for economic development. The IX World Congress of the OWHC—held in Kazan, Tatarstan, Russian Federation, in June 2007— focused on the challenges and opportunities presented by historic cities. The proceedings are availalble in English, Spanish and French.

Access the proceedings online.

Cornerstones of Communities

Cornerstones of Communities research report is now available on the Museums Galleries Scotland website. The research looked at the role of museums in creating community cohesion and identity. The research developed five case studies to explore this.

You can download the report by clicking on the following link,

http://www.museumsgalleriesscotland.org.uk/news-2/news-article/247/new-research-published-on-museum-role-in-communities

African Diaspora Archaeology Newsletter

http://www.diaspora.uiuc.edu/newsletter.html

Interesting range of papers including some of relevance to archaeological resource management and cultural heritage, eg in the September 2009 issue:

Stabilization and Tourism at the Gambia River’s Atlantic Trade Sites: the James Island Conservation and Survey Project by Liza Gijanto

Vietnam Field School

International Field School in Museums & Sustainable Heritage Development
Vietnam Monday 11– Saturday 30 January, 2010

Website: http://www.uq.edu.au/emsah/index.html?page=66307&pid=20385

The International Field School in Museums and Sustainable Heritage Development offered by the Museum Studies Program at University of Queensland aims to provide first-hand experience to graduate students and Professional Development Program participants in locating culture in sustainable development in a rapidly globalising world. Museums and heritage places kinds are considered in the context of sustainable economic, environmental and social development, with a focus on documented case studies and real-life examples in Vietnam. Participants will consider how museums, cultural institutions, and heritage tourism can play a role in the revitalization of local culture and economy, and how international conventions for heritage protection, governance structures, and local area planning intersect within holistic heritage management frameworks. The course provides a critical introduction to cultural mapping, gender and youth issues in community engagement, poverty alleviation and Millennium Development Goals. It also examines the challenges posed by the conflicts between conservation and development, particularly in World Heritage Areas.

This Field School provides practical field experience not only to graduate students and researchers in museum, heritage and environmental studies, practicing museum and heritage professionals, but will also be of interest to those involved in archaeology, anthropology, planning, postcolonial studies, sustainable development and cultural heritage law.

Preliminary Application

Expressions of Interest are being received now:

• A brief Expression of Interest (150 words) stating how you will benefit from the Field School.
• Current Curriculum Vitae. It should include details of graduate qualifications.
• Professional Development Participants may need a supporting letter from a referee or employer at a later date.
• Further documentation of educational qualifications may be required for the admission to the Field School.

Past participants include an equal number of museum and heritage professionals, along with Masters students, Doctoral candidates and Post Doctoral Fellows from major universities in Europe, Southeast Asia, USA, Canada, UK, Australia, China, Turkey, Korea, and Japan. The International Field School is the only one of its kind accredited and offered in partnership with the local, provincial and national cultural and environmental institutions and their respective Vietnamese authorities. It is not a study tour.

The Getty Conservation Institute - scholarships

• Guest Scholar Program
  Applications deadline: 1 November 2009
• Conservation Guest Scholar Program
  Applications deadline: 1 November 2009
• Pre and Postdoctoral Fellowship in Conservation Science
  Applications deadline: 1 November 2009
  
• Graduate Internships at the Conservation Institute
  Applications deadline: 15 December 2009
• Getty Conservation Grants
• Applications deadline: see website

Call for UNESCO-Keizo Obuchi Fellowship applications from young researchers

UNESCO is inviting young researchers in developing countries to apply for grants through the UNESCO/Keizo Obuchi Research Fellowship Programme, financed for the tenth time by Japan through funds-in-trust dedicated to the development of human resources.

The programme – named after the late Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi who was known for his commitment to development issues – offers a total of 20 fellowships for a maximum value of US$6,000-10,000 each. They target post-graduate university researchers with a Masters Degree or equivalent in one of four fields: the environment, inter-cultural dialogue, information and communication technology, and peaceful conflict resolution.

In a series of letters, the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, has called on UNESCO’s National Commissions, Permanent Delegations to UNESCO and the Organization’s field offices to invite potential candidates from 144 countries to apply for the fellowships. Applications must reach UNESCO Headquarters in Paris before 8 January, 2010.

Researchers under 40 years of age must submit their applications to their country’s National Commission for UNESCO, which will select a maximum of two candidates. A special selection committee of experts in the four research fields concerned will review the applications and propose a pre-selection to the Director-General of the Organization.

Website: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=46115&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html