International Heritage News
01
World Heritage Talks 2023: Implementing the Third Cycle Periodic Reporting Action Plan in Asia-Pacific
On October 18, the fifth session of the “World Heritage Talks,” titled “Implementing the Third Cycle Periodic Reporting Action Plan in Asia-Pacific,” was held online. The event was organized by the UNESCO World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific (WHITRAP Shanghai). Experts from the World Heritage Centre, ICCROM, Category 2 Centres in the Asia-Pacific region, and representatives from countries and heritage sites involved in the third cycle periodic reporting participated.
Through keynote presentations and open discussions, participants reviewed the third cycle periodic reporting and introduced the Regional Framework Action Plan adopted at the 45th World Heritage Committee session. They also discussed implementation steps, particularly the role of Category 2 Centres. A total of 24 members of the Asia-Pacific Heritage Practitioners Alliance attended the Zoom meeting.
02
Call for Case Studies: Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage and Climate Action in Asia-Pacific
UNESCO, in collaboration with IRDR, CRIHAP, ICCAP, and IRCI, invites teams and individuals to submit case studies from the Asia-Pacific region. Submissions should explain the role and risks of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) and outline strategies for safeguarding ICH in the context of climate change.
Case studies should be evidence-based and address one or more of the following:
·The role of ICH in identifying, assessing, and monitoring climate change
·Contributions of ICH to community adaptation and resilience
·The role of ICH in reducing carbon emissions and disaster risks
·Direct and indirect impacts of climate change on ICH practices, transmission, safeguarding, and viability
·Necessary adaptations of ICH under climate change
·Local and regional safeguarding strategies in this context
Selected case studies may be considered for publication or presentation at international conferences.
Deadline: November 30, 2024
03
Publication: Our Natural World Heritage
50 of the Most Beautiful and Biodiverse Places
This publication, produced in collaboration with UNESCO World Heritage, showcases 50 of the world’s most stunning and biodiverse landscapes. Each site is recognized for its outstanding universal value and as an irreplaceable source of life and inspiration.
With over 900 color images and accompanying text, the book explores flora, fauna, and natural history, revealing what makes each landscape unique.
04
Opportunities for Heritage: Advancing Innovation, Conservation, and Sustainability
The UNESCO Chair on World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Management in the Arab Region (based at the German University of Technology in Oman) and the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH) invite scholars, professionals, and policymakers to participate in the international conference “Opportunities for Heritage: Advancing Innovation, Conservation, and Sustainability.”
The conference will take place from February 24 to 27, 2024, in Muscat, Oman. It aims to explore the relationship between heritage conservation, tourism, and sustainable development, with a focus on the role of technology and innovation in bridging these areas.
More information: https://o4h-2024.gutech.edu.om/
05
AFRICA 24 Conference – Call for Abstracts
The AFRICA 24 Conference is organized by ICOMOS International Scientific Committees, including CIAV and ISCEAH.
This international event focuses on the conservation of African architectural heritage, supporting local communities and professionals working in vernacular architecture, earthen construction, cultural landscapes, intangible heritage, cultural tourism, sustainability, and rights-based heritage approaches.
The conference aims to:
·Promote conservation of traditional African architectural heritage
·Encourage education and gender equality
·Support sustainable development
·Increase ICOMOS engagement with African heritage
It will be held in November 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya (venue to be confirmed).
Domestic Heritage News
01
National Cultural Heritage Administration Launches Three-Year Covered Bridge Protection Plan
From October 16 to 17, the National Cultural Heritage Administration held a kickoff meeting for a three-year action plan on covered bridge protection.
Participants conducted field investigations at Wenxing Bridge and Beijian Bridge in Taishun, Zhejiang, and Luanfeng Bridge in Xiadang Township, Shouning, Fujian. They also examined adaptive reuse projects such as covered bridge memory museums and exhibition halls, and reviewed related intangible heritage preservation efforts. A restoration project for Qifeng Bridge was officially launched.
02
6th Taihe Forum Held at the Palace Museum
On October 16, the 6th Taihe Forum opened at the Palace Museum under the theme “International Exchange, Cooperation, and Sharing in Cultural Heritage Conservation.”
Hosted by the Palace Museum, the Beijing Palace Museum Cultural Heritage Conservation Foundation, and the Society of the Forbidden City, the forum focused on sharing experiences in international cooperation, academic exchange, talent development, and institutional building.
It aims to deepen understanding of current trends in heritage conservation, promote comparative studies in theory and practice, and strengthen global collaboration and knowledge sharing.
03
China Adds Four “Best Tourism Villages” Recognized by UNWTO
On October 19, at the 25th UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the 2023 list of “Best Tourism Villages” was announced. Four Chinese villages—Huangling (Jiangxi), Xiajiang (Zhejiang), Zhagana (Gansu), and Zhujiawan (Shaanxi)—were selected.
Including previous selections, China now has eight villages on the list, ranking first globally. This year, 258 applications from 63 countries were submitted, with 54 villages from 32 countries ultimately selected.
04
2023 Greater Bay Area Intangible Cultural Heritage Exchange Conference Held in Zhuhai
On the afternoon of October 28, the sharing and exchange session of the 2023 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area ICH Exchange Conference was held in Zhuhai.
Marking the fourth anniversary of the Outline Development Plan for the Greater Bay Area, the event highlighted regional cooperation in safeguarding and promoting intangible cultural heritage.
Under the theme “Building a New Hub for Exchange and Cooperation, Creating a Shared ICH Community,” experts delivered keynote speeches on topics such as intergenerational transmission, innovation, and rural revitalization through ICH.
05
First Symposium on “Theory and Practice of Chinese Archaeology” Opens at Peking University
On October 20, the first academic symposium on “Theory and Practice of Chinese Archaeology” was held at Peking University.
The event was organized by the School of Archaeology and Museology and the Research Center for Chinese Archaeology at Peking University, aiming to develop a disciplinary, academic, and discourse system with Chinese characteristics.
The opening ceremony, held in Archaeology Building A101, was attended by officials from the National Cultural Heritage Administration and leading scholars nationwide, and was chaired by Chen Jianli.
Compiled by: Lü Jiaxin
Editors: Lü Jiaxin, Pu Lina
Reviewers: Li Guanghan, Wang Siyu
Final Review: Shen Ruiwen, Zhang Jianwei
Contact Information
Website: https://whitrap-beijing.org/
Tel: (010) 62769996
Email: LinaPark@whitrap-beijing.org
Address: Archaeology Building B, No. 5 Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing
