UNESCO Clearinghouse on GCED

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Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Arab States Region Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO Cairo "Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Arab State RegionUnderwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) is defined by UNESCO as “all traces of human existence having a cultural, historical or archaeological character which have been partially or totally under water, periodically or continuously, for at least 100 years such as: i. sites, structures, buildings, artefacts and human remains, together with their archaeological and natural context; ii. vessels, aircraft, other vehicles or any part thereof, their cargo or other contents, together with their archaeological and natural context; and iii. objects of prehistoric character”1.This definition relates primarily to the age and environmental conditions of the deposit, i.e., the remains must have existed fully or partially “underwater” for at least 100 years, regardless of their type, nature, or the culture to which they belong. Once these core elements have been confirmed, the archaeological material can be defined further according to one or more specific criteria: - chronology – the time period the remains date from; - region – the geographical area where the remains were found; - typology – the physical categorisation of the remains, e.g., pottery, animal bone, stone etc.It is important to recognise that while the above criteria will remain constant, the “underwater” nature of the archaeological remains is subject to change, as a result of either human or environmental intervention. For example, many sites where prehistoric activity took place on land, usually close to ancient shorelines, are • 1 - UNESCO. 2001. Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Paris: Records of the General Conference, 31st ses-sion, Article.Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Arab State Regionnow submerged due to rising sea levels. Similarly, items such as swords, deposited in lakes or rivers as part of past rituals, were made and used on land. These sites and artefacts have therefore come to meet the definition of “Underwater Cultural Heritage”. The opposite process is also possible: a shipwreck, for example, or other material remains lifted from the seabed and placed in a museum would lose its status as UCH. This nuance tells us that UCH is not necessarily a constant scientific term. It relates to the underwater environment in which the material culture is located rather than any inherent archaeological or cultural attribute2. That is not to say that the material culture’s underwater location is not important: on the contrary, the underwater context reveals changes in use, condition and meaning over time. The physical changes that the underwater environment can cause, such as corrosion or decay, and the natural, social and ideological changes that underwater locations can reflect, therefore, are vital parts of a site or object’s life history. The underwater location is also a key factor in determining which scientific techniques and methods to use when dealing with this type of material culture for purposes of exploration, research, documentation, excavation, conservation, presentation or public display. Thus, the study of UCH usually requires the use of tools and techniques that differ from those employed on terrestrial archaeological sites3. For this reason, UCH is frequently mentioned in association with underwater archaeology, i.e., archaeological work, such as excavation, recording and analysis, that takes place on partially or fully submerged sites. Underwater archaeology is governed by the same scientific principles and standards as archaeological work on land but is tailored to the specific challenges of underwater conditions4. The term “underwater archaeology” is not, therefore, a sub-discipline of archaeology. Instead, it is a technical term referring to a specific set of tools and techniques used in conducting archaeological work underwater, within the wider framework and principles of archaeological research."

World Heritage: Testimonies to Our Humanity Year of publication: 2022 Corporate author: UNESCO The Convention for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international agreement based on the principle that some places on Earth embody outstanding universal value that should be part of the shared heritage of humankind. UNESCO recognizes cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value, and protects them for the benefit of all. As a basis for mutual understanding and dialogue, the responsibility for protecting our shared heritage requires cooperation among all States Parties as well as civil society, local communities and the private sector. The idea of reconciling the conservation of cultural sites with that of natural sites originated in the United States of America. A White House conference in Washington, D.C., in 1965 called for the creation of a “World Heritage Foundation” that would stimulate international cooperation to protect “the most extraordinary places, landscapes, and historic sites for the present and future of all mankind.” In 1968, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) made similar proposals to its members. These proposals were presented at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972. Eventually, all parties concerned agreed on a single text. The Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 16 November 1972. In recognizing both cultural and natural aspects of heritage, the Convention reminds us of the interaction between human beings and nature and the fundamental need to preserve the balance between the two.

UNESCO Guidance for the World Heritage ‘No-Go’ Commitment: Global Standards for Corporate Sustainability Year of publication: 2022 Corporate author: UNESCO UNESCO World Heritage properties are cultural, natural and mixed sites of outstanding universal value (OUV) that exemplify some of humanity’s most exceptional heritage and treasures on our planet. They cover over a thousand properties in all regions of the world and it is the duty of the international community as a whole to cooperate on their protection. UNESCO World Heritage sites provide major benefits to our society and help safeguard ecosystem services and cultural resources vital for human well-being. Yet the threats to UNESCO World Heritage sites have been rising steadily for decades, including those arising from harmful industrial and infrastructure projects, extractive activities such as mining, oil and gas and large hydropower projects, among others. In view of these significant threats, several leading companies and financial institutions have committed to protect World Heritage by respecting them as ‘no-go’ areas. UNESCO World Heritage sites are protected under international law as humanity’s legacy to future generations and, as such, merit particular attention in corporate policies and business conduct. However, there is wide variation in the nature and strength of sustainability policies and due diligence processes. This guidance was developed to assist companies to develop comprehensive strategies for World Heritage as part of their efforts to measure and manage environmental, social and governance risks.

Managing Transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa Year of publication: 2023 Author: Dodé Houehounha | Edmond Moukala Corporate author: UNESCO Transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa – Cooperation is the Key to Success Transnational UNESCO World Heritage sites are the ultimate manifestation of international cooperation − an enriching experience of interculturalism and dialogue between peoples. They offer a unique opportunity to explore and exchange effective and sustainable solutions to contemporary issues, such as climate change, migration, integration, confict and many others. For the frst time, this publication presents the most up-to-date and comprehensive work concerning Transnational UNESCO World Heritage sites in Africa, refecting the interdisciplinary and forward-looking approaches that have dominated research and conservation methodologies in recent decades. The diverse articles and case studies shine a light on how transnational management of properties in Africa provides a crosscutting and sustainable response to contemporary issues related to heritage and associated communities. It also explores the variety of challenges and opportunities related to the management of these sites and highlights best practices that have been implemented. This publication, together with UNESCO, calls on all States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, concerned international and regional organizations, and all relevant stakeholders to support efforts to protect and promote Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage. It is through concerted action and joint activities that the recommendations from this publication can be implemented and thereby help preserve these properties for future generations.

Urban heritage for resilience: consolidated results of the implementation of the 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape; 3rd Member States Consultation Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO <Short summary>Integrating heritage conservation with urban development plans: fosters inclusive and sustainable local development Urban heritage, including its tangible and intangible attributes, constitutes a key resource in enhancing the liveability of urban areas and fosters economic development and social cohesion in a changing global environment. The UNESCO 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape has contributed towards promoting a holistic approach to managing historic urban areas. The third Member States consultation on the implementation of the 2011 Recommendation conducted between June to November 2022 emphasizes both the importance and the urgency of integrating heritage conservation with urban development plans, disaster risk reduction and climate action at the local level.The report covered six thematic areas of implementation that captured the key principles of the 2011 Recommendation in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the mapping and inventorying of heritage values and attributes, governance mechanisms, laws, regulations, and planning tools to protect these different attributes, inclusive and participatory decision-making, equitable economic development, the impacts of climate change, and the use of digital technologies for managing urban heritage including capacity building.The publication includes key recommendations emerging from consultations with international experts, exchanging innovative practices, developing guidance, tools, and initiatives, notably on planning, civic engagement, regulatory frameworks and financial mechanisms and management to support the implementation of the 2011 Recommendation.

Saving our world heritage Year of publication: 2023 Author: Hopkinson, Leo Corporate author: UNESCO

Re|shaping cultural policies: a decade promoting the diversity of cultural expressions for development Year of publication: 2015 Corporate author: UNESCO This Report presents the work of fourteen independent experts, as well as the Secretary of the Convention and the Principal Editor, who have analysed the implementation of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Its purpose is to move forward the process of monitoring the Convention’s implementation that was put in place by a mechanism of Quadrennial Periodic Reports (QPRs) approved by the Convention’s Conference of Parties in 2011. The contributors have consulted the 71 reports submitted by Parties, but have also used data derived from other, non-official sources and have drawn upon their own expert experience.

Enhancing our heritage toolkit 2.0: assessing management effectiveness of World Heritage properties and other heritage places Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO | International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) | International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) | International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) <Short summary>EoH 2.0 toolkit helps assess management effectiveness in World Heritage places World Heritage properties are internationally recognized as places of Outstanding Universal Value that should benefit from the highest level of management effectiveness. Despite the best efforts to conserve these places for present and future generations, many are under threat from a range of factors. These include inappropriate development, mass tourism, pollution, resource extraction or climate change, to name but a few.What can be done to better respond to factors negatively affecting World Heritage places? Do management processes influence conservation results? If so, how can critical management weaknesses be identified and improved?The Enhancing Our Heritage Toolkit 2.0 offers a self-assessment methodology to evaluate management effectiveness in a World Heritage property or other heritage place. It contains 12 tools that can be used separately or collectively to understand in detail what is working well and what can be done better. To facilitate their use, the tools are accompanied by worksheets, in the form of either a template to help compile information in a systematic way or a questionnaire, both of which can be adapted to the specific needs of each heritage place.The Toolkit supports managers in identifying ways to improve conservation practices, management processes and resource allocation – particularly if used before reviewing or updating management plans. While there is a focus on World Heritage, it can be applied to all heritage places, whether natural, cultural or combinations of both.

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