International Heritage News
01
IUCN Red List Update Shows Climate Impact on Species Is Intensifying
On December 11, 2023, the IUCN released an updated version of the Red List of Threatened Species at the UN Climate Conference COP28. The update received recognition and support from multiple international organizations and scientists.
The Red List now includes 157,190 species, of which 44,016 are threatened with extinction.
The updated findings show that climate change is increasingly threatening species ranging from Atlantic salmon to green sea turtles. The update also includes the first global assessment of freshwater fish and highlights the impact of illegal logging and trade on rosewood species. Conservation efforts have successfully brought two antelope species back from the brink of extinction, but rapidly changing climate conditions continue to pose serious risks to their survival.
Source: IUCN “We and Nature”
02
Seventh Ancient Civilizations Forum Ministerial Meeting Held
On December 23, 2023, the Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the Forum on Ancient Civilizations was held in Tehran, Iran. Participating parties exchanged views on strengthening cultural exchange and cooperation, advancing cultural heritage protection, and addressing the restitution of lost cultural relics.
China proposed three action points under the Global Civilization Initiative: first, empowering cultural heritage to serve the progress of human civilization; second, deepening mutual learning and exchanges to promote understanding and respect among peoples; third, pooling collective efforts to build a more just and equitable international cultural order.
The Forum on Ancient Civilizations was jointly initiated by China and Greece in 2017 to promote dialogue and mutual understanding among civilizations. It currently includes 10 member states: China, Armenia, Bolivia, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Mexico, and Peru.
Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration
03
Heritage Adapts Project Recruits New Partners
The “Heritage Adapts” project, launched in early 2023, is a collaboration between the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the National Geographic Society (USA). It aims to strengthen the capacity of communities to protect cultural and natural heritage from the impacts of climate change.
The project builds on the scientific expertise of ICOMOS to develop climate action training resources, which are applied in partner-led, community-focused workshops at World Heritage sites in Jordan and the Philippines.
It is based on methods and tools for climate action first outlined in the 2019 ICOMOS Climate Action Working Group report Our Past for Our Future: Engaging Cultural Heritage in Climate Action. Over the coming years, the project will develop and provide guidance and training resources for heritage professionals worldwide.
In addition to other ICOMOS initiatives, it supports the 2021–2024 ICOMOS triennial scientific program and aims to prepare members for meaningful participation in sustainable climate action.
The project will further support existing partners in developing climate action plans and expanding activities to new heritage sites.
For inquiries, contact Dr. William Megarry, ICOMOS Climate Change Focal Point, or Dr. Victoria Herrmann, Project Director.
More information: https://www.heritageadapts.org
Application deadline: January 20, 2024
Source: Asian Heritage Management Society
04
Call for Applications: 2024 World Heritage Residence Scholarship
In 2018, the Swedish region of Gävleborg established an international World Heritage Residence Scholarship at the World Heritage site “Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland (Hälsingland).” Applications for the sixth round are now open worldwide.
The scholarship consists of two components: a one-month stay at the World Heritage site, and approximately €4,500 in living and project funding.
Applicants are expected to develop a project inspired by the Hälsingland decorated farmhouses, clearly explaining its concept and its connection to the World Heritage site.
In 2022, more than 350 applicants from 60 countries—including researchers, artists, and cultural practitioners—submitted projects across fields such as research, virtual reality, conservation, film, audio, dance, photography, storytelling, communication, sculpture, education, and crafts.
Applications must be submitted by February 15, 2024 via the Gävleborg Region website.
More information: www.regiongavleborg.se/en/scholarship
Source: whc.unesco.org
05
Call for Applications: UNESCO World Heritage Mentorship Programme Phase III (2021–2024)
The third periodic reporting cycle in Africa has highlighted the need to establish a network of African experts and urgently strengthen capacity in heritage management and conservation.
The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), in cooperation with ICOMOS, ICCROM, and IUCN, has developed a mentorship programme for African heritage professionals to build expertise and increase future participation in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
This phase is recruiting 20 trainees and 10 mentors.
Application deadline: January 8, 2024
More information: https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2642
Source: UNESCO
Domestic Heritage News
01
Peking University’s Yannan Garden Project Receives 2023 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation
In February 2022, to protect the historic landscape of Yannan Garden and respond to campus development needs, Peking University’s Department of Real Estate Management commissioned the School of Archaeology and Museology and the Institute for Cultural Heritage Protection and Planning at the Institute of Land Spatial Planning and Design to launch the “Yannan Garden Historic Landscape Conservation and Presentation Plan.”
Within eight months, the project successfully achieved both heritage conservation and site improvement. In December 2023, the project received the 2023 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
The environmental improvement of Yannan Garden followed a minimal intervention approach, carefully interpreting the spatial relationship between buildings and landscape, architectural character, and ecological integrity. Through extensive participation of students, faculty, and stakeholders, the project identified the unique value of Yannan Garden and preserved its historical essence within a rapidly modernizing campus.
Experts highly praised its participatory approach, which encouraged students, alumni, and community members to engage with collective memory and contribute to preserving the garden and other campus heritage, safeguarding the university’s academic and cultural legacy.
Since March 2022, a series of public participation activities have been organized under the Yannan Garden Planning Working Group led by the UNESCO World Heritage Research and Training Centre (Beijing), to better understand diverse perceptions and attitudes toward the site.
Source: Peking University School of Archaeology and Museology
02
Sichuan–Chongqing Song-Yuan Mountain Fortress System Academic Symposium Held
On December 21, 2023, the Sichuan–Chongqing Song-Yuan Mountain Fortress System Academic Symposium was held in Chengdu.
Under the theme “Promoting Conservation and Utilization of Song-Yuan Mountain Fortresses and Building the Bashu Cultural Tourism Corridor,” the symposium was guided by the National Cultural Heritage Administration and provincial cultural authorities, and jointly organized by Peking University, Chongqing Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, and Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology.
Experts and officials discussed archaeological findings, historical research, and heritage value interpretation of the Song-Yuan fortress system in Sichuan and Chongqing. The Sichuan–Chongqing Song-Yuan Fortress Heritage Protection and Utilization Alliance was officially established, forming a regional cooperation platform for heritage conservation.
The WHITRAP Beijing Center Executive Deputy Director and Vice Dean of Peking University’s School of Archaeology and Museology, Zhang Jianwei, attended the symposium.
Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration
03
“Digital Watchman of Beijing Central Axis” Project Launched
On December 15, 2023, the Beijing Central Axis Cultural Education in Schools Symposium and the launch ceremony of the “Digital Watchman of Beijing Central Axis” project were held in Beijing.
The initiative was jointly launched by the Beijing Association for Science and Technology Education Promotion, Beijing Science Education Development Foundation, and the Capital Museum.
The project uses a “Cloud Central Axis” mini-program to enable public participation in heritage monitoring, supporting daily inspections and scientific management of the Beijing Central Axis. It aims to integrate cultural heritage protection into everyday life.
A Beijing Central Axis Cultural Education Fund has also been established to support talent development and sustainable heritage conservation.
Source: National Cultural Heritage Administration
04
National Conference on Cultural Heritage Protection and Transmission Held in Beijing
On December 19, 2023, a national conference on cultural heritage protection and transmission was held in Beijing.
Senior leaders including members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee attended and delivered speeches. The meeting emphasized strengthening cultural heritage protection systems, improving legal frameworks, and promoting coordinated national strategies for heritage preservation.
Officials from multiple ministries, local governments, experts, volunteers, and intangible cultural heritage practitioners participated in the meeting.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
05
Third “Intangible Cultural Heritage Supporting Rural Revitalization” Sustainable Livelihood Training Program Launched
On December 11, 2023, the third “Intangible Cultural Heritage Supporting Rural Revitalization” Sustainable Livelihood Training Program was launched in Suzhou under the framework of the UNESCO–China Children and Youth Foundation Mercedes-Benz Star Fund project on World Heritage Protection and Management (Phase IV, 2021–2024).
The program was jointly organized by UNESCO, the Songtao Miao Autonomous County Government, and Suzhou Art & Design Technology Institute.
Participants included 25 community leaders, intangible cultural heritage inheritors, and practitioners from five pilot World Heritage sites in China, including the China Danxia (Chishui), Sichuan Giant Panda Habitat (Wolong), Fanjingshan (Songtao), South China Karst (Shilin), and Quanzhou.
The training focused on intellectual property protection and branding strategies, aiming to support sustainable development of cultural and creative industries, traditional craftsmanship, and intangible cultural heritage transmission.
Source: UNESCO
