Theme
Expanding China’s World Heritage Inventory: The Role of Emerging Trends
Speaker
Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya
Special Advisor, UNESCO Asia‑Pacific World Heritage Training and Research Center (Shanghai)
Moderator
Li Guanghan
Assistant to the Director, UNESCO Asia‑Pacific World Heritage Training and Research Center (Beijing)
Time
October 25, 2024, 15:00‑17:00
Venue
B101, Gymnasium No. 2, Peking University
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Speaker Bio
Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya is an architect and archaeologist with over 40 years of experience in the field of world heritage. In 2021, he was awarded the ICCROM Award for his significant contributions to global cultural heritage conservation and management. He is renowned for his pioneering work in living heritage and for introducing people‑centered approaches to the heritage field. He has held several important positions, including Director of the Department of Conservation in Sri Lanka, Special Advisor to the Director General of ICCROM, and Principal Regional Scientist at the Department of Conservation in New Zealand. Currently, he serves as Special Advisor to the Director of WHITRAP Shanghai, a member of the Scientific Committee of the Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (ACHA) established by the Chinese government, and Coordinator for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention.
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Lecture Abstract
As my mentor, Roland Silva, often remarked, “Europe is not the epicentre of culture and heritage—why not Asia?” This thought‑provoking question encourages us to rethink the global heritage discourse. One modern indicator of a nation’s cultural prominence is the number of World Heritage sites it possesses. China, with 59 sites, is close behind Italy’s 60, despite recent limitations restricting countries to one or two nominations per year—a policy that has constrained China’s potential for numerical growth. However, World Heritage is not merely a measure of quantity; it also reflects evolving theories and practices in heritage conservation both in China and globally. This context presents a prime opportunity for China to lead and demonstrate that Asia is at the forefront of cultural heritage. My presentation will explore the innovative strategies and emerging trends that have already contributed to China’s growing heritage portfolio and those that could further expand its World Heritage inventory. These approaches will focus not only on increasing the number of sites, even under current restrictions, but also on enhancing the quality of heritage conservation. By doing so, China could set new benchmarks for the global recognition of Asia’s vast and diverse cultural and historical legacies.
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