International Training Course (ITC) on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage 2023, 17th year, Ritsumeikan University, in collaboration with ICCROM

Dates and Time

  • Online: 14 August to 1 September 2023, 8:00-10:30 (CET/Summer), 15:00-17:30 (JST)
  • On-site: 11 September to 24 September 2023, 9:00-18:00 (JST)

Background and Objectives of the Course

International International Training Course (ITC) on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage 2023The International Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage is a follow-up of the recommendations adopted at the Special Thematic Session on Risk Management for Cultural Heritage held at UN-WCDR (World Conference on Disaster Reduction) in January 2005 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. One of these recommendations advocated the need for the academic community to develop scientific research, education and training programs incorporating cultural heritage, in both its tangible and intangible manifestations, into disaster risk management. The importance of strengthening knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of disaster prevention at WH properties was reiterated by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, Lithuania, July 2006). Till now, 180 professionals from 72 countries have been trained through this annual course.

The course's main objective is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge on the various aspects of disaster risk management of cultural heritage.

Subtheme of ITC 2023

Safeguarding and Utilization of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage

Recently, the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from Japan, "Traditional skills, techniques, and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan", was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. This a great example that addresses the value and contribution of ICH towards the sustainability of tangible cultural heritage through 17 different skills such as traditional woodworking techniques, decoration of traditional structures, and restoration skills of traditional buildings. These are important skills to restore and protect cultural heritage from disasters caused by various natural and human-induced hazards. ICH is also recognized as having a vital role in disaster recovery as a means for physical and psychosocial support for communities and a source of traditional knowledge accumulated over time.

Therefore, this year, ITC will focus on the safeguarding and utilization of Intangible Cultural Heritage in disaster risk management. Japan is home to a variety of frequently occurring disasters, which can cause wide-ranging damage to its cultural resources. This has resulted in the development of a rich wealth of traditional knowledge that can contribute towards disaster risk management. Various organizations have taken specialized measures based on traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for mitigation, preparedness, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery of cultural heritage. These measures, developed in response to local geographical, climatic, and social characteristics related to the Japanese context and from other parts of the world, will be introduced to the participants during this interdisciplinary training.

Methodology

This year's course will be conducted in hybrid mode and include online and on-site components. These will consist of thematic lectures, workshops, site visits and field works by Japanese and international experts. 

  1. The online part will be conducted over three weeks. Each week there will be two online live sessions and one mentoring session for participants' case study projects.
  2. The on-site part will be conducted over two weeks. The on-site part is focused on on-site visits and field exercises.
  3. Participants will select one cultural heritage site or institution from their respective countries. They will develop disaster risk management plans during the course, which will be presented during the final presentation.

Participants

The participants will be made up of a maximum of 15 professionals from all parts of the world working in cultural heritage conservation and disaster risk management.

Course Fee

Free

Travel, Accommodation and Living Expenses

Participants will be responsible for their round-trip travel costs to and from Kyoto. To cover accommodation and living expenses in Kyoto during the course, participants should plan for a minimum amount of 150,000 Yen for two weeks. Candidates are strongly encouraged to seek financial support from sources such as governmental institutions, employers and funding agencies. In cases of proven financial need and depending on the availability of funding from external sources at the course, a limited number of partial scholarships may be granted.

What do Participants Receive after Successful Completion of the Course?

  • Course completion certificate
  • Online proceedings of ITC 2023 with DRM plans of Case Study Project prepared by each participant during the course
  • Posters based on DRM plans of case study projects prepared during the course will be uploaded on the website of R-DMUCH and ICCROM.

Application Requirements

ITC2023 Guidelines for Application 

ITC2023 Application form 

Application Deadline and Submission

Please submit your application form in a word file by 21 April 2023 (JST) to r-itc@st.ritsumei.ac.jp