WHC-96/CONF.202/INF.11
Paris, 15 May 1996
Original: English

The first regional workshop for World Heritage Managers in South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the West Pacific was convened by the Wet Tropics Management Authority. It was attended by delegates from Australia, Fiji, Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Thailand. The workshop agreed to establish a Regional Network for Management of World Heritage, and issued the following statement.

The Ravenshoe Communique

This workshop has begun the process of exploring shared regional issues and concerns regarding the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and site management.

We note that the ways individual countries respond to these issues vary according to local culture, demographics and management traditions.

We are convinced that sharing regional experience, knowledge and resources will enhance effective implementation of the World Heritage Convention and best practice management of World Heritage sites within the region.

The common interests and shared experience within the region are underlined by the following:

• Living and strong indigenous traditions which must be recognised in site identification and management

• Our geographic proximity

• An emerging geo-political regional identity

• Existing and developing social and economic links

• An interest in improving the protection of World Heritage values.

We therefore propose the establishment of a Regional Network for Management of World Heritage.

This network will provide a forum to share regional experience, knowledge and resources.

We will be flexible and inclusive in our definition of what constitutes a manager and the scope of the region encompassed by the network.

• We define World Heritage Managers as people who have responsibility for management of World Heritage.

• The region includes South East Asia, the West Pacific. Australia and New Zealand. The network will initially concentrate on countries which are state parties to the World Heritage Convention. As it becomes established it will go on to include interested countries which are not yet signatories.

Summary of Outcomes

Aim of the Regional Network for Management of World Heritage
This network will provide a forum for the sharing of information. resources. and experience to promote and implement the World Heritage Convention.

Scope of the Region
Australia, New Zealand, West Pacific, South East Asia. The initial focus will be on state bodies who are parties to the Convention.

Objectives of the Network

• Promote greater understanding of the World Heritage Convention.
• Facilitate provision of assistance to state bodies within the region for identification, nomination and management of sites.
• Promote best practice management of World Heritage sites.

Network Activities
Linking the Network members

• Newsletters - existing newsletters to be distributed with the workshop proceedings, to be considered as possible sources of network information, The inclusion of regional news in every second issue of the quarterly newsletter published Australian Department of Environment's World Heritage Unit to be investigated, A twice yearly newsletter to be considered, pending funding.
• Other means - tele/video conference, internet, as technology becomes available.

A regional workshop

• every two years
• rotate the location around the region
• set a specific theme

  Possible themes for future workshops:
  

  • indigenous involvement in management of World Heritage Areas
  • presentation of World Heritage values
  • monitoring social and environmental impacts
  • tourism in World Heritage Areas
  • community consultation and the role of local communities in management of World Heritage Areas
  • land tenore issues and the rights of land owners in World Heritage Areas
  • models of financing management of World Heritage Areas

  To be decided: venue, theme and organisers of next workshop.

Other Activities

• study tours. exchange programs. twinning of sites
• develop leadership and expertise with respect to cultural landscape nominations
• compilation of a data base of network individuals and organisations, with description of position and skills available to provide assistance
• data base of reports related to regional World Heritage management issues

Funding the Network
Potential funding sources for specific projects and possibly a secretariat:

• shared by state bodies
• World Heritage Unit
• World Heritage Centre
• UNESCO Jakarta
• Multi / Bilateral donors
• Foundations / Funds
• Self funding for some elements, eg. exchanges

Wet Tropics Management Authority
P.O. Box 2050, Cairns QLD 4870, Australia
Telephone: 070 520 555 Facsimile: 070 311 364 (Country Code: 61)