The Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH) and the ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership (WHL) programme are looking for 20 World Heritage site managers and practitioners to join a regional capacity-building workshop on Impact Assessment for World Heritage. The workshop will take place at the headquarters of ARC-WH in Manama, Bahrain, from 27 to 29 November 2023. 

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Context of the workshop 

World Heritage properties continue to face pressure from various forms of development – including commercial and residential projects, energy projects, transport infrastructure and tourism development – and other significant changes that can affect their Outstanding Universal Value. State of Conservation Reports often bring these issues to the attention of the World Heritage Committee, which has long requested impact assessments to inform better decision-making for the future of World Heritage. To respond to these Committee requests and comply with the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, States Parties, local authorities and World Heritage management teams have increasingly sought guidance and support to build capacities on impact assessment.  

This workshop on Impact Assessment in a World Heritage context will introduce participants to the methodology outlined in the updated Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessment in a World Heritage context (July 2022), which was prepared by the three Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Convention – ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN – in partnership with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and translated into Arabic by ARC-WH. 

The workshop will explore how impact assessment and multidisciplinary cooperation can be useful in identifying solutions for both protecting World Heritage sites and supporting high-quality, appropriate development.   

Objectives of the workshop 

  • Introduce participants to the updated methodology of the new Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessment in a World Heritage context;  

  • Equip participants with current knowledge of and skills to use impact assessments to inform decision-making regarding various factors affecting heritage in general and World Heritage properties in particular;  

  • Provide participants with knowledge on management and monitoring requirements and reporting mechanisms for World Heritage properties;  

  • Establish a regional discussion on specific Impact Assessment and World Heritage management needs in the region; 

  • Effectively communicate the benefits of linking nature and culture and the role of impact assessments in heritage management planning; and  

  • Promote the exchange of experiences and information in heritage management and conservation among practitioners.  

Who can apply? 

The training is designed for a maximum of 20 participants from the Arab Region. Applicants should be able to operate in both English and Arabic. The selection process will prioritize individuals fitting to one or more of the following criteria:  

  • Heritage practitioners involved in an Environmental Impact Assessment, a Heritage Impact Assessment or other type of impact assessment related to a World Heritage property or other heritage place;  

  • Officials and decision-makers whose State Party has been requested to conduct an impact assessment by the World Heritage Committee; and  

  • Other practitioners or heritage stakeholders involved in impact assessments at heritage places.  

The selection of the participants will be made to prioritize an equal representation of 19 countries of the Arab Region. 

Workshop certificate  

A certificate of workshop completion will be awarded by ARC-WH and WHL to all participants who successfully attend and complete the workshop, actively participating in workshop sessions, discussions and group work.  

Workshop cost and scholarships  

The participation in the workshop for selected participants is free of charge.  

Participants are required to cover all other relevant expenses for their participation, including their return flight to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Transportation from the hotel to and from the workshop venue and site visits, accommodation and lunch meals will be covered by ARC-WH. 

To facilitate the participation of a diverse group of professionals, ARC-WH will offer a limited number of scholarships for participants applying from countries with low-income economies and conflict areas.  Applicants are requested to indicate their sponsorship request to the following email (capacitybuilding@arcwh.org) before 23 September 2023. The organizers will review the sponsorship request. 

How to apply for this workshop 

The online application is to be submitted in English to ARC-WH by 23 September 2023. To complete your application, you are required to upload the following items:  

  • Complete application form; 

  • A passport-size photo or similar;  

  • Your professional curriculum vitae (in English, maximum two pages);  

  • A copy of your passport (valid for six months from workshop start date);

  • The official endorsement of your institution (not necessary if you are a freelancer or similar);  

  • A short personal statement explaining your involvement with World Heritage and impact assessment and why this workshop would be useful; and 

  • If a scholarship is requested, a brief motivation letter is also required.