Training Course on Cultural Heritage Protection in the Asia-Pacific Region 2017: Preservation and Restoration of Wooden Structures
Place: Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO [Nara Pref. Nara General Office, 757 Horen-cho, Nara, Japan] and related research institutions.
Organizers (Tentative)
This course is jointly organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan (Bunkacho); Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU); International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM); and National Research Institute for Cultural Properties [Tokyo and Nara]. Further joint organizers collaborating on the course are the Japanese Association for Conservation of Architectural Monuments (JACAM), Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage (JCIC-Heritage) under the auspices of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO, Nara Prefectural Government, and Nara City Government.
Background
In the Asia and the Pacific region there are various forms of cultural heritage, including wooden structures, which are of great value from a global point of view. In order to safeguard this important cultural heritage for future generations, it is necessary for heritage professionals to carry out proper investigation, analysis and preservation. ACCU Nara Office, in partnership with ICCROM and Bunkacho has been organizing training courses since 2000 on this topic, with a view to building the capacities of professionals who have been involved in cultural heritage protection in the Asia and the Pacific region. This training course aims to provide participants with the latest methods and techniques for investigation, preservation, restoration and management of wooden structures.
Objectives
The objectives of the training course are to provide participants with:
- a knowledge of skills-based techniques for the recording/documentation and analysis of wooden structures;
- a knowledge of skills-based techniques for the preservation and restoration of wooden structures;
- a knowledge of skills-based techniques for the maintenance, use and risk management of wooden structures;
- a knowledge of the principles and methodologies for protection of wooden structures;
- an opportunity to share their experiences and establish their regional networks.
Training Curriculum
Presentations and Discussions:
- Presentations of the present situation of preservation and restoration of wooden structures in each country and exchange of views
- Discussion on theory and practice of cultural heritage conservation
- Recapitulation of the training sessions
Lectures:
- Introduction to wooden structures in the Asia-Pacific region
- Theory and practice of conservation of cultural heritage
- Cultural heritage protection systems in Japan
- Policies on restoration of wooden structures in Japan
Work Sessions and On-site Studies:
- Practical work on documentation of wooden structures
- Damage/deterioration survey and restoration of wooden structures
- Survey on painted surfaces and planning for paintings restoration
- On-site studies at restoration sites of wooden structures
- On-site studies on preservation/restoration and management/use of wooden structures
Language
English will be the working language throughout the course.
Participants
The training course is offered to participants from the following 42 signatory countries to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention from Asia and the Pacific:
Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.
The endorsement of the UNESCO National Commission is required for application.
Participants should:
(1) be professionals not older than 45 years of age on 29 August 2017, who are engaged in the preservation and restoration of wooden structures, and who can make effective use of the result of the training course upon returning to their home countries;
(2) have a good command of English, as participants should deliver presentations and write reports in English;
(3) attend the entire training programme;
(4) be in good health and able to participate in the training programme;
(5) submit all of the required documents (listed below) by the stated deadlines;
(6) be in a position to continue to exchange information and interact with ACCU after returning to their home countries;
(7) not have been previous participants in training courses on Cultural Heritage Protection in the Asia-Pacific Region; Preservation and Restoration of Wooden Structures organized by ACCU Nara Office.
Application
Those interested in attending the course are invited to send the application form together with the following documents by email or mail to the contact address below before Friday 9 June 2017.
The documents necessary for application are as follows:
(1) Application Form (Form 1). See Guideline for Application Form. Please attach a copy of the applicant’s passport, if he/she has a valid passport as of 29 August 2017. This is not necessary if he/she does not currently have a passport.
(2) Report relating to the applicant’s achievements/involvement in conservation of wooden structures. This report should be written by the applicant and should comprise:
- the reason for applying;
- a brief summary of the work related to the preservation/restoration of wooden structures in which he/she has been involved;
- the future plan to utilize and develop the outcomes of the training course in respective country.
This report should be no longer than 5 pages on A4 sized paper. It will weigh heavily in the selection of participants.
(3) Letter of Recommendation from NATCOM.
(4) Letter of Recommendation from the head of the organization to which the applicant belongs (Annex 1).
(5) Document Indicating English Proficiency if the applicant has such a document as a reference for the screening. There is no need to attach this if he/she does not have one at present.
Only complete applications with all necessary documents will be considered.
Notification of Screening Results
After consideration with the other organizers, ACCU Nara Office will select 16 people (one participant per nation, in principle) from among all applicants. We will inform successful applicants and each National Commission for UNESCO of the result in late July.
Certificate of Completion
Participants who submit a final report will be awarded a certificate upon completion of the course.
Expenses
ACCU Nara Office will cover the expenses during the training course as follows:
(1) Travel expenses:
Each of the participants (except those from Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, Republic of Korea and Singapore) shall be provided with an economy class return air ticket from the nearest international airport to their residence to Kansai International Airport, and transportation fees between Kansai International Airport and their hotel in Nara (Hotel Fujita Nara: 47-1 Shimosanjo-cho, Nara City, Nara).
(2) Living expenses:
Participants shall, in principle, be provided the basic living expenses incurred during the training course, i.e., from Monday 28 August to Friday 29 September 2017 according to ACCU Nara Office’s regulations. Arrangements for accommodation (a room for single occupancy) during the training course will be made by ACCU Nara Office. In case a participant needs accommodation on the way to and/or from Japan for any unavoidable reason (such as visa application or limited flight connections), ACCU Nara Office will cover the accommodation expenses.
(3) Others:
Participants shall be responsible for visa fees.
Secretariat
Please send applications to
Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office,
Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara Office)
Nara Pref. Nara General Office,
757 Horen-cho, Nara 630-8113 JAPAN
Tel: +81-(0)742-20-5001
Fax: +81-(0)742-20-5701
E-mail: nara@accu.or.jp
Application deadline: 9 June 2017