Project calendar 2011-2012
Aug 2011 Website public launch
A website dedicated to the War Free World Heritage Listed Cities project, to the thematic related to the implementation of 1954 Hague Convention for the protection of cultural property in times of armed conflict.
In addition, it is concerned with legislation and recommendations, and it is addressed to specialised and to the general public.
This web page is designed to promote awareness on the EC co-financed project, give visibility to the project achievements’ and to cover the issues, debates, events and other ‘pieces’ of communication and news that are relevant to those who are directly involved or interested in current developments in the implementation of Conventions, Legislation, etc.
As a project developed with the goal of promoting good Governance for the administration and conservation of urban heritage by local authorities, this web page represents an additional instrument for the promotion of the sustainability of the project results. This web page also aims to raise interest in similar initiatives of other local authorities and Civil or Military stakeholders (within the ENPI regions and worldwide) which are interested in developing similar management approaches with regards to their urban heritage.
Public / transparent debate and concrete proactive initiatives on this very peculiar subject of urban heritage could in the future spare the misery of further losses of human-valued heritage in times of armed conflict.
Upon project completion, this web page will not disappear along other pieces of outdated digital information present on the internet. Rather it will continue to exist and function as part of a WATCH information and communication strategy with cooperation from project associates and the wider international community dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage.
Aug 2011 Project Newsletter
A periodic newsletter informing of the project will be launched in August . The newsletter will also provide relevant information on the other cluster CIUDAD projects, EU programmes and projects, as well as additional local and international pieces of information aimed at inspiring further debate and raising awareness of the need to find solutions for the protection of conflict-endangered heritage areas and artefacts.
A participatory approach will be fostered in the newsletter and readers will be invited to contribute information towards the particular theme addressed by the project.
14 Sept 2011 Focus group in Byblos (Lebanon)
A Focus group will take place in Byblos on September the 14th under the framework of a Concept study for the formulation of a Risk Preparedness Plan designed to protect the World Heritage Listed city areas according to the Guidelines of the 1999 Second Protocol of the Hague Convention for the protection of Cultural properties in times of armed conflicts.
27-30 Sept 2011 Concept Study in Mtskheta (Georgia)
25-28 Oct 2011 Concept study in Byblos (Lebanon)
The Concept study represents a crucial activity of the project as the circumstances of existing (or pending) threats will be assessed and recorded through a direct survey and experts’ desk review. Conditions of threats referred to here are all those physical, normative and infrastructural situations that could justify the intervention of a hostile armed force targeting the Listed Heritage sites listed by the project. Thus, this phase of the project is being conducted to assess and analyze risks, define risk mitigation measures, and reduce the likelihood of error in times of conflicts.
During the concept study phase, the project’s objectives are examined and stretched from different angles, and alternative approach for their achievement evaluated. All the activities are intended to be implemented through plenary sessions, thematic groups and individual contributions. Each participant will give his contribution in a multidisciplinary thematic group joined by
experts coming from different professional backgrounds. This will allow a holistic exchange of ideas for a more comprehensive approach and will facilitate the attainment of the expected results.
19-21 Oct 2011 International Volunteering Conference. European heritage in our hands in Graz (Austria)
War Free World Heritage Listed Cities project will be presented together with other projects at the International Volunteering Conference, giving particular emphasis to the role played by civil society organisations (CSO) in raising awareness and developing new policies for the protection of heritage in a shared process with local and national institutions.
A paper will be presented by WATCH (project partner and coordinator) that will explain how partnerships with CSO could help paving the road to the implementation of international conventions through a bottom-up approach. Civil Society appropriation was indicated as the third pillar of the EC Euromediterranean strategy for cultural heritage within the ENPI region for the years 2007-2013. This policy is fully pursued by the EC Euromed Heritage IV programme. It is also adopted by the War Free World
Heritage Listed Cities project that is part of the ENPI CIUDAD programme.
Winter 2012 (forecast) Public Awareness Campaign in Lebanon and in Georgia
Public awareness Campaigns will be promoted within Schools Byblos and Mtskheta cities/regions. Public awareness is a prime instrument to demonstrate the effects of armed conflicts on cultural/urban heritage.
At least 1000 students aged between 11 and 15 will be involved in the campaign as target groups. A special format designed for students will be prepared to stimulate those future decision makers and citizens to promote the importance of protecting their cultural values and to implement proper risk mitigation behaviour in case of turmoil.
University students and teachers will be prepared and involved in this activity.
Spring 2012 (forecast) International workshop on Risk Mitigation and Risk Preparedness measures for the protection of World Heritage Listed sites in times of armed conflicts.
Byblos and Mtskheta. Two concrete and original contributions within an international cooperation framework. The role of international donors in the implementation of international laws, conventions and recommendations will be assessed. A selected multidisciplinary group of international experts will be gathered in Rome to review, contribute and enhance the results achieved by the project, especially focusing on the Risk Preparedness Plans elaborated for Byblos and Mtskheta.
Summer 2012 (forecast) Risk Mitigation and Risk Preparedness Plans
Online Publication of final consolidated recommendations by participants to he workshop on RPPs.
Autumn 2012 (forecast) Training on Planning and Implementing Risk Preparedness and Management instruments for the protection of urban heritage in areas of armed conflicts
A specialised risk management training for the responsible personnel from the concerned national local authorities will be implemented in Byblos and in Mtskheta. The training is designed for the creation of an inter-institutional coordinated risk management unit. As the first such training conducted at an international level, it is a balanced compound of Civil Military cooperation aimed at enhancing the capacity to counteract the damage of armed conflicts on heritage sites. Staff of the relevant
authorities such as urban planners, municipal engineers, architects, military planners, jurists, civil protection agencies, and many other major stakeholders will take part in the training and will share their experiences.