Save the date: discover the program of the 2024 ICOMOS statutory meetings in Brazil
https://www.icomos.org/en/about-icomos/governance/ general-information-about-the- general-assembly/annual- general-assembly-2024/137372- save-the-date-discover-the- program-of-the-2024-icomos- statutory-hybrid-meetings-in- brazil
This year, the ICOMOS Annual General Assembly, Advisory Committee meetings and Scientific Symposium will take place in Ouro Preto, Brazil, from 10 to 17 November 2024, upon the generous invitation of ICOMOS Brazil.
You can download the preliminary program (v4 22/02/2024) – registration and logistical information will be made available shortly.
The meetings of the Advisory Committee (Scientific Council, National Committees and Advisory Committee) will take place on 11 and 12 November – agendas and working documents will be sent to all ICOMOS Committees in due time.
The Annual General Assembly will convene on 13 November. The session will focus on receiving the reports of the ICOMOS President and Treasurer on the management by the Board and the health and financial situation of the association; approving the annual report and accounts and discharging the Board, as well as voting next year’s budget. All ICOMOS members shall have the right to attend the General Assembly and may be designated to be a voting member within the conditions set out in Articles 9-a and 13-d-4 of the ICOMOS Statutes.
The opening of the Scientific Symposium is scheduled for 13 November, followed by the Symposium itself on 14 and 15 November. For this year's edition, the Symposium will explore the theme "Revisiting the Venice Charter: Critical Perspectives and Contemporary Challenges". The aim of the Symposium is to thoroughly re-examine the Venice Charter in the light of contemporary challenges, focusing on five key sub-themes detailed below.
Thanks to the hybrid format of the event, remote participation in all meetings will be possible. More information will be shared soon.
The 2024 Scientific Symposium
The Symposium aims to comprehensively reassess the Venice Charter in a contemporary context, emphasizing its Eurocentric origins and advocating for a critical rereading considering evolving heritage concepts. Additionally, it seeks to foster a cross-cutting approach between the Venice Charter and other international conventions, emphasizing the importance of diverse epistemologies and contributions from the Global South.
The choice of Ouro Preto as the Symposium venue is strategically significant due to its historical character as a city shaped by the XVIII-century Brazilian gold rush. As the first city in Brazil designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ouro Preto embodies a rich heritage that aligns with the event's theme. Its proximity to a site impacted by one of Brazil's most significant environmental disasters provides a tangible backdrop for discussions on heritage resilience, reinforcing the symposium's objective to critically examine the Venice Charter and explore potential paths forward in the contemporary discourse on heritage, authenticity, and resilience.
The Symposium invites scholars, researchers, heritage professionals, and policymakers to contribute to this critical examination through research papers, case studies, and reflections aligned with its objectives. Stay tuned for the launch of the call for papers on 1 March!
Proposed Sub-Themes for the Symposium
1. Historical Context and Heritage Concepts
An exploration of the historical context and conceptual foundations that shaped the Venice Charter, emphasizing its Eurocentric origins and the need for a critical rereading.
2. A Cross-Cutting Approach Between Conventions
A discussion linking the Venice Charter with other international documents, notably the Hague Convention of 1954, the World Heritage Convention of 1972, the Nara Document on Authenticity of 1994, the Intangible Heritage Convention of 2003, and the Faro Convention of 2005[1], exploring intersections and shared principles to address contemporary challenges.
3. Universalism and diversity: Rereading the Doctrinal Documents from Diverse Perspectives
A discussion on the importance of the Venice Charter (and other related doctrinal documents) through diverse epistemologies and perspectives, acknowledging the cultural diversity of heritage and exploring contributions from the Global South.
4. Contemporary Challenges in Heritage Discourse
A critical examination of the state of the art in heritage discussions, considering the evolving perspectives and challenges that have emerged since the inception of the Venice Charter. Examining the relevance of the Venice Charter in the current context, with a focus on challenges posed by the Western divide between nature and culture, the growing importance of metropolises, social inequities, the environmental impact of human activities, disasters and conflicts, among others.
5. Disaster and Conflict Resilient Heritage
Cultural heritage is increasingly vulnerable to disasters and conflicts and subject to rapid destruction, as evidenced by the recent fires, floods, earthquakes and escalating armed conflicts in different parts of the world. At the General Assembly 2023 in Sydney, the ICOMOS Advisory Committee approved the theme of “Disaster and Conflict Resilient Heritage - Preparedness, Response and Recovery” as the theme for the Triennial Scientific Plan 2024-2027. In keeping with the spirit of open, innovative and constructive intergenerational dialogue, and the strategic focus, this sub-theme will address the suitability of the Venice Charter with the theme of disaster and conflict-resilient heritage, emphasizing its broader implications for heritage discourse, development models, and resilience strategies.
By integrating these sub-themes into the Symposium, we aim to foster a comprehensive dialogue that not only critically reinterprets the Venice Charter but also explores its intersections with broader heritage discussions and contemporary challenges including the climate emergency, conflicts and natural disasters.
[1] Council of Europe’s Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society
Useful contacts
For information on statutory meetings: secretariat[at]icomos.org
To contact the organizing committee of ICOMOS Brazil: AGA2024-contact[at]icomos.org
This year, the ICOMOS Annual General Assembly, Advisory Committee meetings and Scientific Symposium will take place in Ouro Preto, Brazil, from 10 to 17 November 2024, upon the generous invitation of ICOMOS Brazil.
You can download the preliminary program (v4 22/02/2024) – registration and logistical information will be made available shortly.
WG01- ISCSBH Concept
The ISCSBH continues its proposal of webinars related to the theme of Shared Built Heritage around the world; after Thailand and Australia in the last years, on 25 May 2024, the ICOMOS National Committee of Philippines and the Philippines’ members of ISCSBH will present the heritage that they share with the world.
The conference will include three presentations and be held online via Zoom, providing a convenient and interactive platform for participants to engage in discussions and presentations. In addition, the conference will be simultaneously live streamed through the ICOMOS Philippines Facebook page, allowing a broader audience to join and participate in real-time. This hybrid format ensures that attendees can choose their preferred mode of participation while maximizing the reach and accessibility of the conference.
There will be three presentations and we are currently trying to fix a time where we are able to satisfy as many listeners as possible in the various geographical areas of the world.
We will send out the detailed program, time and Zoom link shortly.
The iconic Magellan’s Cross in Cebu stands as a symbol of shared built heritage, transcending borders and igniting a global historical transformation. This significant landmark not only brought Christianity to the Philippines but also altered the course of history globally. Its influence resonates beyond religion, as it became a gateway for diverse cultural exchanges from around the world. Through this heritage resource, we embrace our commonality and celebrate the rich tapestry of our “shared” heritage.
Source: ICOMOS Philippines.
WG 07 - ISCSBH Annual General Meeting
Meeting 2023, this time with the aim of electing the bureau for the next three-year period
2024-2026, in accordance with our bylaws.
Those of you who were there in person and online already know the results, and for
those of you who couldn’t attend, here are the results:
President: Maria José de Freitas (Portugal, second continuous term).
VPresident Europe: Romeo Carabelli (France, second continuous term).
VPresident Asia: Soehardi Hartono (Indonesia, first term)
Secretary General: John Ward, (Canada, first term since 2020.)
Emerging Professional representative: Mohamed W. Fareed (Egypt, first term).
Richard Mackay welcoming members of the ISCSBH to the ICOMOS Sydney 2023 GA
at the Sydney Opera House on 2 September, 2023. (JW).
ISCSBH President Maria José de Freitas speaking at the ISC SBH AGM to those
present and to those participating virtually. (JW).
What is SBH?
The ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Shared Built Heritage (ISCSBH) was set up to promote greater protection and conservation of the shared heritage built over time by different cultures and civilisations with different social and religious backgrounds. For this purpose, the ISCSBH researches and fosters discussion on the understanding of ‘shared’ and on the management of historical built legacies resulting from multicultural encounters and mutual influences. The group is relatively young, having started in 1998 as the Scientific Committee on Shared Colonial Architecture and Town Planning, and changing its name in 2003 to reflect more open objectives.
In some cases, shared heritage is at the centre of identity narratives constructed by different communities and nations; in others, it is the source of tension, and is therefore neglected. The aim of the scientific group is therefore to understand how shared heritage is valued and promote its revitalization, rehabilitation, and conservation, encouraging the use of existing structures and of traditional building techniques as much as possible.
To this end, the ISCSBH organises meetings, debates, study visits, symposia, and conferences with the aim of disseminating the state of the art in various technical, scientific and academic fields, promoting the exchange of knowledge and, through thematic workshops, trying to instill a taste and curiosity for heritage conservation among young people and emerging graduates.
