Training for World Heritage Site Museums (2011-2013)

Revitalising World Heritage Site Museums for a Better Interpretation of Living Heritage Sites in Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam: Training for World Heritage Site Museums (2011-2013)

The ever-growing global tourism and striking success of UNESCO World Heritage programme offer an ideal setting for site-related museums to play a pivotal role as mediator of peace and intercultural understanding, provider of quality educational contents for local and international communities, as well as agent of development. 

This UNESCO-Japan Funds-in-Trust project was designed as a pilot project to accompany the process of revitalizing the World Heritage-related site museums and interpretation centres dedicated to archaeological sites of the three countries. The programme is aimed primarily for the development of professional skills of staff from these institutions, not only curators and conservators, but also archaeologists and managers of the World Heritage sites. Ultimately, this project aims to strengthen the regional network of site museums and professionals. 

 The participants will re-scope the mission of the World Heritage-related site museums in the contemporary world, by means of collective reflection and practical exercise for the enhanced and holistic interpretation of collections, collection management, development of participative approach for local communities, and museum visitor studies .  

The project launch meeting will be held on 23 July in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with the participation of seven World Heritage site-related museum institutions. 

From 2011 to 2013, two intensive field training courses and several pilot field projects will be organised. 

Project budget: US $449,975