News

Forum Overview

World cultural and natural heritage represents key outcomes of human civilization and natural evolution, and serves as an important medium for dialogue and mutual learning among different civilizations. Protecting, transmitting, and appropriately utilizing these valuable assets is a shared responsibility and an essential requirement for the continuity of human civilization and global sustainable development.

Since the adoption of the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, global society has undergone major changes, and our understanding of heritage has continuously evolved. Climate change, armed conflict, and the COVID-19 pandemic have become key issues of concern for world heritage. Within the broader context of global sustainable development, there is increasing recognition of the importance of the integration of nature and culture.

The discussions at the 44th World Heritage Committee session on “new relationships between people and nature” suggest the need to reconsider how cultural and natural integration can be developed under new global conditions. The inscription of China’s “Pu’er Jingmai Mountain Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape” at the 45th World Heritage Committee session demonstrates a Chinese approach to harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Against this backdrop, building new forms of human–nature relationships and safeguarding humanity’s shared heritage for the future has become urgent.

Following the initiative of UNESCO and responding to China’s “Asian Cultural Heritage Protection Action” and the Global Civilization Initiative, the UNESCO World Heritage Training and Research Centre for the Asia-Pacific Region (Beijing), the School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University, the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation, and the Office of International Cooperation at Peking University will jointly host the 2nd International Academic Forum on World Cultural and Natural Heritage from November 17 to 18, 2023.

Theme: The Contemporary Relationship Between Humans and Nature: Coexistence, Mutual Learning, and Sustainability

Organizational Structure

Organizers

UNESCO World Heritage Training and Research Centre for the Asia-Pacific Region (Beijing Branch) (WHITRAP Beijing)

China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation

School of Archaeology and Museology, Peking University

Office of International Cooperation, Peking University

Co-organizers

UNESCO Chair on Sustainable Tourism in Heritage Sites

UNESCO Chair on Living Heritage and Community Development

UNESCO Chair on Cultural Resource Management

WHITRAP Shanghai Branch

WHITRAP Suzhou Branch

Peking University Public Archaeology and Art Center

Peking University Cultural Heritage Protection Research Center

Supporting Organization

Asian Cultural Heritage Protection Fund

Supervising Organization

Secretariat of the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO

Forum Agenda

Time

November 17–18, 2023

Venue

Underground Lecture Hall B101, Second Gymnasium, Peking University

November 17

Opening Ceremony

8:30–9:00

Host

Chen Jianli, Party Secretary and Professor, School of Archaeology and Museology, Peking University

Remarks

Secretariat of the National Commission of the PRC for UNESCO

Peking University

China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation

Chinese Association for the Protection of Monuments and Sites

Relevant leaders

Session 1: Development Trends of World Heritage

Host: Zhang Jianwei (Peking University / WHITRAP Beijing)

9:00–9:20
Analysis of the Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting in the Asia-Pacific Region
Yang Bixing
Cultural Project Officer, UNESCO East Asia Multisectoral Regional Office

9:20–9:40
Upstream Guidance Before World Heritage Nomination: Objectives, Methods, and Challenges
Thomas Coomans
Professor, KU Leuven, Faculty of Engineering Science

9:40–10:00
Trends in Natural World Heritage Development
Song Feng
Associate Professor, School of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Peking University

Tea Break (10:10–10:30)

Session 2: Protection and Management of Archaeological Heritage Sites

Host: Li Wanyin, Associate Professor, Peking University

10:30–10:50
Endless Journey: Protection and Management of the Lost City Archaeological Park of Teyuna, Colombia
Santiago Giraldo
WMF Colombia Representative

10:50–11:10
Threats and Development: Climate Change and Buddhist Site Conservation in the Tarim Basin
Du Xiaofan
Professor, Fudan University

11:10–11:30
Large Archaeological Sites in Traditional Cultural Landscapes
Zhang Jianwei

Discussion (11:30–12:00)
Reviewer: Zhan Changfa

Lunch (12:00–14:00)

Session 3: Coexistence Between Humans and Nature

Host: Jiang Dahai, Peking University / WHITRAP Beijing

14:00–14:20
Coastal Connections: International Best Practices
Alexander J. Kent

14:20–14:40
Integrated Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage in the Context of Climate Change: The Tianshan Case
Wang Xinyuan

14:40–15:00
Impact Assessment of Construction Projects on Natural World Heritage Sites in China
Xiao Shizhen

15:00–15:20
Pandas and Snow Leopards: The Role of Flagship Species
Lü Zhi

Tea Break (15:30–15:50)

Session 4: Protection and Utilization of Villages and Cultural Landscapes

Host: Li Dihua, Peking University

15:50–16:10
Value-Based Conservation of the Jingmai Ancient Tea Forest Cultural Landscape
Chen Yaohua

16:10–16:30
Chinese World Heritage under Cultural–Natural Integration
Zhang Rouran

Discussion (16:30–17:00)
Reviewer: Du Xiaofan

Youth Scholars Forum (17:30–21:00)

Host: Wang Siyu

Discussion participants include researchers from museums, universities, archaeology, sociology, and heritage management institutions.

Topics include:

·cultural tourism communication

·historical landscape systems

·ecological restoration

·heritage management transformation

·urban heritage evolution

November 18

Session 5: Historic Built Environment Protection and Utilization

Host: Li Guanghan (WHITRAP Beijing)

8:40–9:00
Heritage Protection in Pakistan: Problems, Challenges, and Limitations
Fauzia Qureshi

9:00–9:20
Water Towns and Mega-Cities: Nature and Culture in Global Cities
Shao Yong

9:20–9:40
Integrated Protection and Development of Cultural and Natural Heritage
Dong Wei

9:40–10:00
The “Doctrine of Moderation” in Urban Heritage Corridors
Dai Jian

Tea Break (10:10–10:30)

Session 6: Natural Heritage Protection and Community Development

Host: Song Feng

10:30–10:50
Authenticity in Natural Heritage: Practice and Reflection
Zhang Chaozhi

10:50–11:10
Community Development and Natural Heritage Management: Victoria Falls Case Study
John Zulu

11:10–11:30
Analysis and Insights on Natural World Heritage Site Conservation Status
Zhuang Youbo

Discussion (11:40–12:10)
Reviewer: Zhou Jian

Closing Ceremony (12:10–12:30)

Summary: Hang Kan, Peking University
Closing Remarks: UNESCO East Asia Regional Office Representative; Chen Jianli