Group Training Course for Young Professionals
on Cultural Heritage Protection in the Asia-Pacific Region 2022
‘Conservation and Management of Wooden Built Heritage’
(Online)
General Information
1. Background
Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara) is pleased to announce the annual group training course for young professionals involved in the cultural heritage preservation and conservation field in the Asia-Pacific region. Starting from 2000, in partnership with ICCROM, Agency for Cultural Affairs, and National Research Institute of Cultural Properties (Tokyo and Nara), ACCU Nara has initiated and conducted numerous thematic capacity building and outreach programmes to equip course participants with theoretical and practical knowledge essential for the research and analysis, conservation and management of cultural heritage in the region.
The 23rd ACCU group training course will focus on the Conservation and Management of Wooden Built Heritage. The course is open to young professionals who have been working for some years within the field of conservation and management of wooden architecture and wish to expand their knowledge and skills, share experiences, and contribute to the sustainable conservation of wooden buildings, structures, monuments, or remains, which reflect the character and identity of the Asia-Pacific countries and are, therefore, important to preserve for future generations.
2. Organisers
This course is jointly organised by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Japan (Bunkacho); Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO, Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office (ACCU Nara); International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM); and National Research Institute for Cultural Properties [Tokyo and Nara], in cooperation with the Japanese Association for Conservation of Architectural Monuments (JACAM); Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage (JCIC-Heritage); under the auspices of Japanese National Commission for UNESCO; Nara Prefectural Government; and Tenri and Nara City Governments.
3. Objectives
Inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020, traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture are vast and deeply rooted in Japan. Here, nearly all traditional buildings, whether secular or sacred, World Heritage or local landmark, are made of wood. Hot and humid climate, frequent natural or manmade disasters necessitated the continuous repair and restoration of these buildings, forming the foundation of solid principles, methods and skills for their preservation and continuity that are widely recognised and appreciated inside and outside the country.
Considering the above, the main objectives of this course are to provide participants with:
- Theoretical knowledge and skills-based techniques for the sustainable conservation and management of wooden built heritage in Asia-Pacific region based on Japanese know-how and experiences;
- Establish a platform where participants and lecturers can share their knowledge and practice, strengthen communication and build professional networks.
4. Dates and Method
Dates: 1 September (Thu) – 30 September (Fri) 2022
Method: Online, using the course digital platform and online conferencing platform-Zoom.
In principle, live sessions are planned to be held on Mondays and Thursdays in September 2022, for 3 hours (including a 15-minute break), while other days, participants are expected to study at their own pace. Please be advised that depending on circumstances, the schedule may be subject to change.
5. Course Programme
The course programme is designed so that participants can learn the protection systems, as well as the overall process of structural analysis and documentation, repair and restoration methods, and everyday management and utilisation of wooden architectural heritage based on Japanese approaches and examples. In addition to Japanese professionals, staffs from ICCROM will deliver lectures and participate in discussions related to the international theories and practice for wooden architecture conservation and management.
The course is carried out for four weeks and is structured into five interconnected Units. Each Unit involves two types of training:
1) Self-paced distance learning (self-study)
The course digital platform will be set up to provide the participants access to relevant pre-recorded video lectures, textbooks, and other learning material to study before the live sessions. Participants will be able to log on and access course resources at any time that fits their schedules, post to discussion boards, exchange files, and chat with their peers.
2) Live sessions
By the end of each Unit, real-time interaction sessions between the lecturers, participants, and organisers will be held through Zoom. In addition to online lectures, live sessions will include questions and answers (Q&A) related to the Unit topic, discussions, and case study presentations from each participant.
Units:
1. Global Perspectives and Challenges in Conservation of Wooden Heritage
2. Protection Systems for Wooden Built Heritage in Japan
3. Recording and Documentation
4. Repair Methods and Restoration
5. Management and Utilisation (I and II)
* For detailed programme see Provisional Curriculum [Provisional Curriculum]
6. Working Language
English (with consecutive interpretation from Japanese)
7. Target Participants
7-1 The training course is offered to heritage practitioners from the following 42 signatory countries to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in the Asia and Pacific region. The maximum number of participants is 15.
Signatory countries:
Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and Viet Nam.
7-2 Training course is open to applicants who are:
(1) young heritage professionals with at least 5 years of experience working in the field of conservation and management of wooden structures, are currently involved in the conservation practice at heritage sites, and are motivated to make effective use of the outcome of the training course in their respective countries;
(2) those who have a good command of English and are able to converse and write in English fluently.
(3) able to participate in the entire training programme;
(4) able to submit all required documents listed below within the defined deadline;
(5) those who wish to continue to interact and exchange information with ACCU after the training course;
(6) those who have not participated in the ACCU group training course under the theme ‘Preservation and Restoration of Wooden Structures’ before;
(7) able to organise uninterrupted online learning environment during the course.
8. Application Requirements
(1) Application Form [Form 1] [Guideline for Application Form] (*please send both in Excel and PDF formats)
(2) Letter of Recommendation from the institution of the applicant [Form 2] (Word document)
(3) Personal Statement (2 pages) [Form 3] (Word document)
Personal Statement weighs heavily in the selection process. It should describe:
- Brief summary of the applicant’s work related to the conservation or management of wooden architectural heritage;
- Future plans to utilise and develop the outcome of the training course in the applicant’s country.
(4) Certificate of English proficiency
This can serve as a reference for the screening. Please attach the scanned document, if available.
9. How to apply
Please fill in the forms listed above and send them to the following email: nara@accu.or.jp
A confirmation email of receiving the application will be sent to all applicants. If confirmation email fails to arrive within a week, please contact us immediately.
Application Deadline: 3 July 2022
10. Notification of Screening Results
After consulting with the co-organisers, applicants will be shortlisted based on the submitted applications and finally selected through online interviews. Successful candidates will be notified in early July.
11. Assessment and Certificate
ACCU Nara encourages an active engagement of all participants in the course. A certificate of completion will be awarded to participants who:
1) Complete all course programmes including distance learning (this will include reading the provided material and watching video lectures), and have regular attendance and active participation to live sessions.
Participants are required to timely notify the organisers in the event of an unavoidable absence from the meetings;
2) Complete assignments (Check-point Reports) after each Unit;
3) Prepare and present one Case-Study related to wooden heritage conservation in their respective countries;
4) Submit a Final Report.
12. Course Fee
Participation in the training course is free of charge.
However, it is the responsibility of each participant to arrange a computer or similar device and an internet connection suitable for remote learning.
13. Secretariat
For any additional information and inquiry please contact:
Tamar Meladze
Director, International Cooperation Division,
Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office,
Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara)
TEL: +81-743-69-5010, FAX: +81-743-69-5021
E-mail: nara@accu.or.jp
Nara Prefecture Historical and Artistic Culture Complex, Restorations and Exhibition Wing 2F;
437-3, Somanouchi-cho, Tenri, 632-0032, Japan