ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership Programme Learning Networks
Within the ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership Programme (WHL), the module on Learning Networks promotes activities oriented to connect people and heritage places through peer learning, advancing people-centered and place-based approaches. By linking practitioners, institutions, communities and World Heritage places, networks between natural and cultural heritage, research, practice and policy are strengthened in the context of World Heritage processes. Activities of the Learning Networks include the World Heritage Site Managers Forum Network (SMF) initiated in 2017 and the PANORAMA Nature-Culture Thematic Community launched in 2020.
Call for Research-Practice Teams!
- Heritage Place Lab Pilot Phase
- Organized by the ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership Programme
The ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership Programme is launching a new activity focused on strengthening networks across research and site management in the context of the World Heritage Convention. In order to develop practice-based research agendas for World Heritage properties, the WHL is inviting researchers and site managers to team up in Research-Practice Teams and take part in the Heritage Place Lab Pilot Phase, consisting of a series of 6 incubator online workshops (1 workshop = 3 sessions: 3 hours/session) to be held during 2021-2022. The expected outcome of the Heritage Place Lab is that each Research-Practice Team defines a research agenda for one World Heritage property, and that the WHL together with the research institutions and World Heritage properties involved develop an umbrella research proposal and/or thematic research proposals that could be later used to apply for research funds.
Application deadline: 30 June 2021 (Extended)
Duration of the Pilot Phase: July 2021- July 2022
Place: Online
Heritage Place Lab as a Learning Network
In its Article 5, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention calls on State Parties to develop and encourage research for the protection of their cultural and natural heritage, placing on science an important role on its implementation. Even though the World Heritage system provides such space for exchange and collaboration between researchers and practitioners, this has not been sufficiently and systematically explored. The need to strengthen the interlinkages between the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, as well as the interconnections between and among science, practice and policy, has increasingly become evident with the Agenda 2030 which promotes intersectoral cooperation, partnerships and science-based approaches to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. To take advantage of existing opportunities, the ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership Programme proposes stimulating the above mentioned synergies through the development of Learning Networks that would enable science, management and policy interactions within the World Heritage context. The aim of this approach is to clarify and activate further the contributions of integrated management of cultural and natural heritage, and people-centered approaches to sustainable development at World Heritage places.
Building on existing research networks, such as UNESCO Chairs, Universities Fora, ICOMOS International Scientific Committees and IUCN Commissions and Specialists Groups, and initiatives, like the ICOMOS-IUCN Connecting Practice Project, the WHL intends to connect researchers to site managers through the World Heritage Site Managers Forum Network. This is expected to initiate and support long-term collaborations using the PANORAMA Nature-Culture Thematic Community as a repository of case studies. The WHL will facilitate linkages between natural and cultural heritage, science and practice, in order to support site management and policy-making by testing the concept of Heritage Place Lab in a pilot phase.
The Heritage Place Lab will function as an incubator of research agendas for specific World Heritage properties, promoting channels for research to impact on site management and to influence research. It will consist of six (6) online workshops of three (3) sessions of three (3) hours each held during the span of a year. During these workshops, site management issues will be explored collaboratively, enabling researchers to test theories and methodologies with site managers working on the ground. Researchers will get access to World Heritage properties and gain an in-depth understanding of local needs. Site managers will become familiar with research methods and co-produce research agendas for their World Heritage places. Participation in the Heritage Place Lab is open for any researcher working within, or connected to, the field of heritage management and to World Heritage site managers.
What are the goals of the Heritage Place Lab?
The Heritage Place Lab aims to initiate long-term research-practice cooperation, promoting international networking and dissemination of the pilot phase results. In the process, the Heritage Place Lab will involve World Heritage site managers in the co-production of research agendas, thereby enabling research to influence World Heritage site management and policy-making. Also, the Heritage Place Lab will connect science to practice by generating a platform of knowledge exchange and peer-learning, looking for common grounds between scientific knowledge and local knowledge systems in order to co-create innovative, holistic and inclusive solutions for World Heritage site management.
The Pilot Phase 2021-2022 will activate diverse existing research networks related to the World Heritage field in general and the WHL partner organizations in particular. Based on the outcomes of the Pilot Phase, a model that could be scaled up will be elaborated with the longer-term aim of developing a World Heritage research strategy addressing the benefits of people-centered approaches and integrated management of cultural and natural heritage.
What is a Research-Practice Team?
Research-Practice Teams will be composed of a group of researchers (2-4), and a group of site managers (2-4). The research group can include faculty members, post-doctoral and graduate students, based in one or more research institutions, covering cultural heritage and/or natural heritage fields. The group of site managers (one World Heritage property) can include 2-4 members involved in the management of World Heritage, which can belong to one or more institutions (managing authorities, municipality, community among others), and that are part of the World Heritage site management system. Overall, the research group could propose to work on a World Heritage property where they are already active, or on one of the World Heritage properties proposed by the WHL from those showcased in the PANORAMA Nature-Culture Thematic Community (see below). The teaming up process will be supported, if needed, by the WHL. The WHL encourages Research-Practice Teams to work cross-regionally and in multi and interdisciplinary groups, including considering gender and intergenerational balance as priorities. Research-Practice Teams would need to commit to working together for the duration of the Heritage Place Lab pilot phase and its follow-up activities (including in between the 6 incubator online workshops).
Incentives for participation
- Developing sound institutional working relationships for long-term engagements between the WHL, research institutions and World Heritage properties.
- Publishing outcomes in scientific journals and World Heritage related channels such as a Special Issues, an ICCROM stand-alone publication and potential publication of case studies in the PANORAMA Solutions for a Healthy Planet Platform (https://panorama.solutions/en/portal/nature-culture).
- Taking part in a side-event during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee (2022) where the Heritage Place Lab outcomes and Research-Practice Teams results will be promoted.
- Opportunity for building formal relationships between the WHL and research and site managing institutions, for instance through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or any other applicable agreements agreed among the collaborating institutions.
- Promoting partnerships between research and site managing institutions in order to initiate and/or sustain a long-standing partnership, thereby building bridges between World Heritage properties and research institutions, among them universities.
- Promoting networking and professional growth among collaborating World Heritage places, institutions, researchers and practitioners.
What are the selection criteria?
- Research background, academic quality and impact (publications)
- Basic knowledge on the implementation of the World Heritage Convention
- Prospective sustainability of the institutional partnership between research institutions and site management authorities
- Adequacy of the research group qualifications to respond to the World Heritage site management needs, including capacity to communicate in the local language
- Gender-balanced and intergenerational composition of Research-Practice Teams.
- Priority theme relevance
What are the Heritage Place Lab Pilot Phase Priority Themes?
- Incorporating different knowledge systems to influence World Heritage policy
World Heritage places and their local communities, including Indigenous Peoples, receive the influence from international and national experts and top-down management systems while rarely having platforms to influence research, decision-making and policy-making, which impact on the management of their heritage places. Indigenous and local knowledge systems can play a significant role in the protection and sustainable use of heritage, and in sustainability in general. In this context, the Heritage Place Lab will reflect on how Indigenous and local knowledge could influence site management beyond customary practices and have an effect on both national and World Heritage policies.
- Analyzing and enhancing governance and management systems
Natural and cultural heritage practitioners and institutions tend to work independently under different mandates and conservation objectives guided by prevailing governance and management systems. Heritage places are both influenced and shaped by these different inputs, as well as by other sectors, such as development, urban planning, agriculture, tourism to mention a few. Furthermore, community-based management, traditional management systems and ancestral, as well as autonomously evolving governance systems influence and contribute to understanding how to better and effectively manage heritage places. However, Indigenous, traditional and local knowledge have particular and specific transmission systems which are not necessarily transferable to scientific methodologies. The Heritage Place Lab will explore how a dialogue between and among knowledge systems could be better established in the World Heritage context, including considering intersectoral, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. In this process, the Heritage Place Lab will identify and analyze different governance and management systems in order to identify effective governance models and solutions for World Heritage places. This entails that the Heritage Place Lab will look at case studies that can serve as inspiration for other heritage places.
- Exploring local languages and knowledge systems
The World Heritage Convention works with two main languages, English and French, and most of the instruments and guidances have been conceived in these languages and later translated to other languages. As the terms used in World Heritage management usually come from European conservation, we know very little about local uses of language in World Heritage places. These under-researched languages dimensions are often unexplored sources of information for understanding management arrangements and their diverse knowledge systems which are linked to the specific place, cultures and world views. One example could be the concept of "sustainable development” which is not new to Indigenous knowledge systems. The Heritage Place Lab will explore the diversity of Indigenous and local languages in connection to the transmission of Indigenous and local knowledge about World Heritage places from multiple angles, to encourage dialogue between local and global understandings towards improving heritage management.
- Localizing climate change
Climate change and the more frequent extreme weather events and hazards related to it are recognized as one of the main threats to World Heritage properties. The potential of heritage management in contributing to climate change adaptation using traditional and local systems for disaster risk management at World Heritage properties is currently being explored. However, specific baseline datasets at most World Heritage properties are lacking. In this context, local communities' experiences on climate change and its impacts over decades could be beneficial to localizing climate change. Involving local communities in the monitoring of state of conservation and climate change impacts is an opportunity to explore for example, by advancing citizen science. The Heritage Place Lab will look into the potential of localized indicators to monitor climate change impacts as these could be co-created by researchers and World Heritage site managers while involving Indigenous and traditional knowledge systems at World Heritage places.
Who submits the application?
A research group in agreement with a practice (site management) group, with the endorsement of both the research institution(s) that they are affiliated with, and the site management authority (ies) of the World Heritage property that they will team up with for the Heritage Place Lab. A research group could also submit an application independently, indicating the World Heritage property they would be interested working with from the list proposed by the WHL showcased in the PANORAMA Nature-Culture Thematic Community.
What does the application include?
- Complete application form.
- Official endorsements from the research and site management institutions (authorities).
- Curriculum vitae: 3-page maximum, current, for the Research Lead (researcher) including list of relevant publications and for the Practice Lead (site manager).
- Curriculum vitae: 1-page maximum, current, for additional team members both researchers and site managers.
Working language
The working language of the Heritage Place Lab will be English. Proficiency in written and spoken English is an essential prerequisite for participation.
Selection Process
Those interested in taking part of the Pilot Phase of the Heritage Place Lab are invited to submit their Research-Practice Team proposal by filling the application form and preparing one PDF file containing all documentation requested with the title: ResearchPracticeTeam_Name of the WH property/Research Institution(s).pdf. Please send the PDF file to Dr Maya Ishizawa, Heritage Place Lab Project Lead (iccr24@iccrom.org) with copy to WHLeadership@iccrom.org
The pre-selected Research-Practice Teams will be contacted via email and invited for an online interview with the ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership in June 2021.
Application deadline
30 June (Wednesday), 2021 (CET)
For inquiries, please contact Dr Maya Ishizawa, Heritage Place Lab Project Lead (iccr24@iccrom.org) with copy to WHLeadership@iccrom.org
PANORAMA Nature-Culture Thematic Community
1. Bamberg, Germany: Revitalizing historically rooted urban gardening within the World Heritage City of Bamberg, Germany by Patricia Alberth - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/revitalizing-historically-rooted-urban-gardening-within-world-heritage-city-bamberg-germany
2. Budj Bim, Australia: Establishing a Traditional Owner, rights-based approach for Budj Bim Cultural Landscape and ‘two-way ’ knowledge management system by Damein Bell - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/establishing-traditional-owner-rights-based-approach-budj-bim-cultural-landscape-and-two
3. Cinque Terre, Italy: A model for institutional governance: shared and coordinated management approach for the cultural landscape of Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) by Nicoletta Portunato - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/model-institutional-governance-shared-and-coordinated-management-approach-cultural
4 Cù Lao Chàm-Hôi An Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam: Applying the SLIQ approach for the integrated management of Nature and Culture in Cù Lao Chàm-Hôi An Biosphere Reserve, Vietnam by Thao Le Ngoc - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/applying-sliq-approach-integrated-management-nature-and-culture-cu-lao-cham-hoi-biosphere
5. Dolomites, Italy: Safeguarding the living mountainous landscape of the Dolomites by Marcella Morandini – https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/safeguarding-living-mountainous-landscape-dolomites
6. Honghe Hani Terraces World Heritage, China: Recovery of the water-wood traditional management system in the Cultural Landscape of the Honghe Hani Terraces World Heritage, China by Yuxin Li - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/recovery-water-wood-traditional-management-system-cultural-landscape-honghe-hani-terraces
7. Kaya Forests, Kenya: Integrated protection of the cultural and natural heritage of the Sacred Mijikenda Kaya Forests by Jimbi Katana - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/integrated-protection-cultural-and-natural-heritage-sacred-mijikenda-kaya-forests
8. Kii Mountain Range, Japan: Integrating religious and traditional stewardship in the management of the Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range World Heritage, Japan by Fumihiko Ito - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/integrating-religious-and-traditional-stewardship-management-sacred-sites-and-pilgrimage
9. Laponia, Sweden: Laponiatjuottjudus: a participatory management system in the Laponian Area World Heritage, Sweden by Åsa Nordin Jonsson - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/laponiatjuottjudus-participatory-management-system-laponian-area-world-heritage-sweden
10. Ledro Lake, Italy: Museums and local development: connecting nature and culture at the Pile Dwelling Museum of Ledro and its connected networks by Donato Riccadonna - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/museums-and-local-development-connecting-nature-and-culture-pile-dwelling-museum-ledro-and
11. Ngorongoro, Tanzania: Reviewing the Multiple Land Use Model (MLUM) as a strategy for sustainable landscape conservation in Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), Tanzania by Joshua Mwankunda - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/reviewing-multiple-land-use-model-mlum-strategy-sustainable-landscape-conservation
12. Norway: World Heritage in Norway: national policy for an inclusive and participatory implementation of the World Heritage Convention by Aleksandra Einen - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/world-heritage-norway-national-policy-inclusive-and-participatory-implementation-world
13. Orkney, Scotland: Enhancing community and stakeholder participation for the management and conservation of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney and its wider landscape by Alice Lyall - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/enhancing-community-and-stakeholder-participation-management-and-conservation-heart
14. Pimachiowin Aki, Canada: Valuing the interlinkages between nature and culture in the planning and management of Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site, Canada by Pimachiowin Aki Corp. - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/valuing-interlinkages-between-nature-and-culture-planning-and-management-pimachiowin-aki
15. Rapa Nui, Chile: Recovering the administration of ancestral land: the establishment of the Indigenous Community Ma ’u Henua, stewards of Rapa Nui National Park, Chile by Comunidad Indígena Ma'u Henua - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/recovering-administration-ancestral-land-establishment-indigenous-community-mau-henua
16. Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Philippines: Involving youth through heritage education in the conservation of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Philippines by Marlon - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/involving-youth-through-heritage-education-conservation-rice-terraces-philippine
17. Røros , Norway: Integrating Sámi culture in the narrative of Røros mining town and the Circumference World Heritage, Norway by Torfinn Rohde - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/integrating-sami-culture-narrative-roros-mining-town-and-circumference-world-heritage
18. Skellig Michael, Ireland: Managing the cultural landscape of Sceilg Mhichíl: connecting nature and culture in a multi-stakeholder management effort by Fergus McCormick - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/managing-cultural-landscape-sceilg-mhichil-connecting-nature-and-culture-multi-stakholder
19. Victoria Falls/Mosi-oa-Tunya, Zambia and Zimbabwe: Critical stakeholder engagement: fostering community stewardship for the safeguarding of the natural and cultural heritage of Victoria Falls/Mosi-Oa-Tunya by John Zulu - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/critical-stakeholders-engagement-fostering-community-stewardship-safeguarding-natural-and
20. Socotra, Yemen: Soqotra Heritage Project: building local capacities for the protection of the unique cultural and natural heritage of Socotra by Alan Forrest - https://panorama.solutions/en/solution/soqotra-heritage-project-building-local-capacities-protection-unique-cultural-and-natural