Series Background

The UNITAR Series on the Management and Conservation of World Heritage Sites, launched in 2003, has thus far comprised eight annual Workshops held in Hiroshima and one in-country Workshop in India. The Series, with over 300 Alumni to date, offers a set of innovative approaches to heritage conservation, including:

A values-based management approach examining the significance of the sites to beconserved;

• The fusion of cultural and natural heritage management;
• The recognition of both the tangible and intangible aspects of heritage sites.
• The 2012 Session, entitled Justification of Outstanding Universal Value in the Context of World

Heritage Nominations examines in detail the expectations and requirements needed to effectively address this most essential part of World Heritage nominations.

Objectives

• The specific objectives of the 2012 Workshop will be to:
• Review the key elements of the World Heritage Regime, incorporating updates and
• current trends;
• Elucidate the principles of “Values-Based Heritage Management”;
• Examine the Justification of Outstanding Universal Value as a crucial element of World
• Heritage nominations, identifying best practices and lessons learned;
• Through reality-based practical exercises, extract key concepts and common issues
• for given sites;
• Enhance long-term peer learning and exchange among the participants.

Methodology

Interactive Lectures:

Lectures will be delivered by representatives of UNITAR, UNESCO, IUCN, ICOMOS and the Getty Conservation Institute, outlining from both international and regional perspectives the current trends in analysing and identifying Outstanding Universal Value in the nomination process.

Training of Trainers:

A focus will be made throughout the training sessions to relate the learning being facilitated to the realities on the ground of potential or current World Heritage sites. In addition, each participant will be empowered to recreate the training upon their return to their country in order to achieve a self-propagating legacy.

Study Tours:

Underscoring the theoretical introductions and analysis presented, Study Tours form an integral part of the training methodologies utilised by UNITAR. Visits will be made to the World Heritage Atomic Bomb Dome and it’s attendant museums, as well as to the World Heritage Itsukushima Shinto Shrine.

Practical Exercise:

Key to the facilitation of learning at the Workshop is the Practical Exercise whereby participants must work in small groups to analyse real world Case Studies and apply the theoretical and practical knowledge received

Participation/Qualification of Applicants

The participants (up to 25) will consist of:

• Potential or current World Heritage site managers;
• Natural/cultural conservation specialists and trainers;
• Decision makers and government officers;
• Representatives of academic institutions, think-tanks and civil society;
• Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps in Tokyo with professional interests in conservation issue.

Selection

Selection, by a committee comprised of UNITAR and its faculty, will be based upon:

• Candidates’ qualifications and merits;
• Potential benefits they may gain from the Workshop in the conduct of daily professional duties;
• Future roles they may play as trainers.

Participation Cost

The following subsidized costings, covering all accommodation, tuition, material, study-tour, breakfast and lunch costs for the duration of the programme (Monday, 4 June – Friday, 8 June 2012), are applicable for the Session:

• General participants: USD 800

• Participants from Upper Middle Income Countries:* USD 700

• Participants from Lower Middle Income Countries:* USD 600

• Participants from Least Developed Countries:* USD 500

- Please note that all travel costs to and from Hiroshima are the responsibility of the participant and/or their organisation.

*Definitions of such countries are outlined on the Application Page

Application Procedure

To apply for the Workshop, please visit: www.unitar.org/event/justification-outstandinguniversal-value-context-world-heritage-nominations

The deadline for Applications is: Monday 7 May 2012.

Any questions regarding the Workshop may be directed to Mr. Berin McKenzie, Specialist at UNITAR who is coordinating the programme: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling +81-82-511-2424.

Any questions regarding the modalities of the Session may be forwarded to Mr. Berin McKenzie, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) Specialist at UNITAR, who is coordinating the Session.

Case Study

Each candidate is required to submit a one page (maximum) Case Study describing a heritage site with which they have experience.

Please note:

• These Case Studies will be distributed to all faculty, as well as being incorporated into the Workshop literature; please ensure this document does not exceed the maximum limit.
• Please submit this document in Word format and, in order to assist UNITAR in the application process, please ensure all documents sent electronically are saved with the following name format: WHS12-country-familyname-document, e.g.: WHS12-newzealandsmith-casestudy.
• Some selected cases may be used at the Workshop. In such cases, the participant who submitted the Case Study will act as a ‘data provider’ to the team, outlining any specifics of the Case Study in question.

The Case Study must contain at least the following elements, under the same headings (the percentages indicate relative importance of each segment):

Description of the site and corresponding data on that Site (40%)

• This should include the description/definition of the spatial area. The Site could be an already designated World Heritage Site, a site included on a national tentative list, or not listed at all but a site that the applicant believes to have an “Outstanding Universal Value”.

Please identify the values of the site.

Description of the current management system, and problems observed (40%)

This should contain a description of the existing management system (international, national, local, indigenous, etc.). Please analyse whether or not the existing system and overall trends protect and promote the values of the Site and avoid (potential) threats to the Site’s values.

Suggestion for a project (20%)

The Case Study should suggest one or more discussion topics or project(s) in order to tackle the problems or threats to the site. Only if the case is selected will topics or project proposals be discussed and elaborated in plenary or by working teams, therefore the summary paper need not contain a full project document and maps or data need not be copied or attached at this stage.

In order to confirm your application, please ensure your Case Study is uploaded during the Participant Registration process as well as forwarded to Mr. Berin McKenzie, Specialist at UNITAR who is coordinating the course ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

We look forward to receiving your application.