Course on Heritage Impact Assessments

The World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (WHITRAP), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) together with UNESCO Ha Noi Office and Viet Nam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism are organizing a training on Heritage Impact Assessments from 13-14 October 2014.

In recent years the UNESCO World Heritage Committee has examined a considerable number of State of Conservation Reports related to threats from various types of large-scale development activities to the World Heritage properties. These activities include infrastructure development, new buildings, urban renewal and changes to the land use, some of which are insensitive or inappropriate. The Committee has also examined threats from excessive or inappropriate tourism. Many of these activities have had the potential to impact adversely on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) including integrity and authenticity of the properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. In order to evaluate satisfactorily the potential impacts, the World Heritage Committee has suggested the State Parties concerned to conduct Heritage Impact Assessments.

 The course is an intensive programme that combines both theory and practice through lectures, case studies, and practical exercises. High-level interaction of participants is encouraged during the course, where participants are expected to play an active role.

The international course is designed for a maximum of 20 persons. Priority is given to ：
Professionals/ decision makers from State Parties that have been requested to carry out impact assessments of developments proposed at World Heritage properties located within their territory by the World Heritage Committee.

Application 

If you are interested, please fill the attached application form and send it together with the following materials by email or mail to the contact address  whitrap.training@gmail.com.

• A full professional curriculum vitae;
• A 500 – 750 word report which includes the descriptions of the property/ World Heritage Site and an indication of potential development/tourism/infrastructure activities that in your view could threaten the values/OUV of the site.  
  Alternatively, you can present a 500-750 word report on your experience of conducting/participating in an impact assessment study. 
• A Recommendation letter.

The application deadline is 1 june 2014. 

For more informations about the course, please consult the attached document.