Training Course on Cultural Heritage Protection
in the Asia - Pacific Region 2009

- Preservation and Restoration of Wooden Structures-
(8 September – 8 October 2009, Nara, Japan)

General Information (Tentative)*

*This General Information announcement is tentative and the organisers and training curricula may be subject to modification. The information contained here should be confirmed with the forthcoming final version.

1. Organisers

This course is jointly organised by Bunkacho (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan); the Asia/Pacific Cultural
Centre for UNESCO (ACCU); the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of
Cultural Property (ICCROM); and the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties [Tokyo and Nara], in
cooperation with Japanese Association for Conservation of Architectural Monuments (JACAM); Japan
Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; the
Japanese National Commission for UNESCO; Nara Prefectural Government; and Nara Municipal Government.

2. Background

In Asia and the Pacific region, there are various forms of cultural heritage including those made of wooden
structures which are of great value from a global point of view. Proper investigation, analysis, and preservation of
this important cultural heritage are required by heritage professionals, in order to safeguard them for future
generations. ACCU Nara in partnership with ICCROM and Bunkacho has been organising training courses
since 2000 on this topic with a view to building the capacities of professionals who have been working on cultural
heritage protection in the region. This training course aims to provide participants with the latest methods and
techniques for investigation, analysis, preservation, restoration and management of wooden structures.

3. Dates and Venue

Course dates: From 8 September (Tue.) to 8 October (Thur.) 2009
Venue: Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO [Nara
Prefectural Government “Horen” Office, 757 Horen-cho, Nara, Japan]

4. Objectives of the Training Course

The objectives of the training course are:

- to provide participants with a knowledge of recording/documentation and analytical methods for wooden
architecture;
- to provide participants with a knowledge of principles and methodologies for preservation of wooden structures;
- to provide participants with a practical knowledge of technology/techniques and hands-on training for preservation and restoration of wooden structures;
- to provide participants with a knowledge of maintenance, utilization, and risk management of historical wooden structures;
- to provide participants with an opportunity to network with colleagues from the region and share experiences.

5. Training Curriculum

Lectures
- Introduction to Wooden Architecture in Japan
- Introduction to Asian Wooden Architecture
- Protection System of Cultural Heritage in Japan
- International Context of Conservation and Related Conventions and Charters
- Survey Methods on Conservation of Vernacular Houses and Historic Towns- Design and Implementation of
Conservation Projects
- Management and Utilization of Wooden Structures
- Risk Management of Cultural Heritage
- Others

Practical Training and On-site Lectures
- Practical training on research and documentation of wooden structures
- On-site lectures at the conservation sites of wooden structures
- Fieldwork: conservation, restoration and utilization (a three-day study tour)
- Other works relating to the preservation and restoration of architectural structures

Presentations and Discussion
- Presentations on the present status of preservation and restoration of wooden structures in each country and exchange of views
- Future issues and views on preservation and restoration of wooden structures
- Recapitulation of the training session

6. Participants in the Training Course

●Application Procedure and Content
The training course is offered to participants from the following 37 signatory countries of the UNESCO World
Heritage Convention (see below). The application form should be submitted no later than 20 June 2009
along with the endorsement of the UNESCO National Commission or UNESCO Liaison Office in the country
concerned or the endorsement of the member of Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural
Heritage. The documents necessary for application are the following.

(1) Application Form (Form 1) (PDF/Word)
　　Please attach a copy of the passport, if an applicant has a valid passport.
(2) Report Relating to the Applicant’s Achievements/Involvements in Conservation of Wooden
　　Structures.
　　This achievement report should be written by the applicant and should be a brief summary of present and
　　previous work related to the theme of preservation and restoration of wooden structures. This report should
be no longer than 5 – 7 pages and will be weighted heavily in selection of the participants.
(3) Letter of Recommendation by NATCOM or by the member of Japan Consortium for
　　International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage
(4) Letter of Recommendation by the Head of the Organisation to which the Applicant Belongs
　　(Annex 1) (PDF/Word)
(5) Documentation Indicating English Proficiency (if obtained)

Completed applications should be sent to the Secretariat of the ACCU Nara Office at the address below.  Only complete application with all necessary documents will be considered.

The following are the 37 signatories of the World Heritage Convention from Asia and the Pacific:
Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan,
Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia,
Myanmar,Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rep. of Korea,
Samoa,Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga ,Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu,
and Vietnam.

●Qualification Requirements
Applicants should be:
1) those who are professionals,45 years old or younger, who are engaged in the preservation and restoration of
wooden structures and who can make effective use of the results of the training course upon returning to his/her home country;
2) those who have a good command of English, the working language for all lectures, so that they can deliver
presentations and write reports from the training sessions (ACCU Nara Office and ICCROM shall be allowed
to utilize all contents of presentations and reports, including drawings and photographs, for future publication
and cultural heritage protection programmes);
3) those who can attend the entire training programme;
4) those who submit all of the required documents (listed above) within the deadlines outlined;
5) those who will most likely continue exchanging information and interacting with ACCU after returning to their home countries;
6) those who were not previous participants in training courses organised by ACCU Nara Office (however
those who have participated in the International Youth Exchange Programs can apply for this programme).

7. Notification of Screening Results

After consideration with other organisers, ACCU Nara will select 16 people (one participant per nation, in
principle) from among all applicants around the end of July. Successful applications will be informed of the results
along with each National Commission for UNESCO and the Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in
Cultural Heritage.

8. Certificate of Completion

Each participant will be awarded a certificate upon completion of the course.

9. Language of the Training Session

English will be the working language throughout the course.

10. Expenses

Expenses during the Training Course shall be borne by ACCU Nara, as follows:

 (1) Travelling expenses:
Each of the participants (except those from Australia, Republic of Korea, and New Zealand) shall be provided
with an economy class return air ticket from the nearest international airport from their residence to Kansai
International Airport, and transportation fees between Kansai International Airport and Nara

(2) Living expenses:
Participants shall be provided the basic living expenses incurred during the training course from 7 September
(Mon.) to 9 October (Fri.) 2009. Arrangements for accommodations (a room for single occupancy) will be made
by ACCU Nara.

11. Secretariat

Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office,
Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara)
Nara Prefectural Government “Horen” Office,
757 Horen-cho, Nara 630-8113 JAPAN
Tel: +81-(0)742-20-5001
Fax: +81-(0)742-20-5701
e-mail: nara@accu.or.jp