Introduction
Themes
Electronic Proceedings
Conference Sponsors

Conference Sponsors

Forum UNESCO

Forum UNESCO is a joint programme between the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO) and Valencia Polytechnic University. Its objective is to create a worldwide network of specialists, organisations and universities related to heritage.

The idea behind this international network is to connect different universities around the world devoted to the education of future heritage specialists, and to coordinate the activities of students and teachers of higher education in this regard.

UNESCO seeks to promote international solidarity and to boost networks specialised in the development of heritage-related cooperation.

The International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS)

The International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS) at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne is a well established and renowned organisation whose primary roles are:

• to provide postgraduate vocational training for all those who wish to work in the cultural and heritage sector, including museums, galleries, the historic and natural environment and the conservation and interpretation of intangible heritage;
• to produce, stimulate and supervise cutting edge research relating to the history, philosophy and practices operating in the cultural and heritage sectors
• to provide expertise for consultancy and professional advice

World Archaeological Congress

The World Archaeological Congress (WAC) is an international forum for discussion for anyone who is genuinely concerned with the study of the past. WAC is based on the need to recognise the historical and social role and political context of archaeology, and the need to make archaeological studies relevant to the wider community.

The World Archaeological Congress has particular interest in:

• education about the past
• archaeology and indigenous people
• the ethics of archaeological enquiry
• the protection of sites and objects of the past
• the effect of archaeology on host communities
• the ownership, conservation and exploitation of the archaeological heritage
• application of new technologies in archaeology and in archaeological communication

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity . This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage , adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

Cultural heritage refers to monuments, groups of buildings and properties with historical, aesthetic, archaeological, scientific, ethnological or anthropological value.

Natural heritage refers to outstanding physical, biological and geological formations, habitats of threatened species of animals and plants and areas with scientific, conservation or aesthetic value.

UNESCO's World Heritage mission is to:

• encourage countries to sign the 1972 Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage;
• encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate properties within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List;
• encourage States Parties to set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of World Heritage properties;
• help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training;
• provide emergency assistance for World Heritage properties in immediate danger;
• support States Parties' public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation;
• encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage;
• encourage international co-operation in conservation of cultural and natural heritage.