New Research Fellow at ICCROM

New Research Fellow at ICCROM
http://www.iccrom.org/eng/news_en/2010_en/interns_en/06_17fellowThakurIND_en.shtml

Interesting article

Article about "the role of Cultural Heritage in Poverty Reduction" written by Otaviano Canuto.

http://blogs.worldbank.org/growth/node/8728

Training and development (ICCROM)

5 May. Luiss Business School, Rome, Italy
Masters Programme: Luiss Master of Art
Application deadline: see website

5 May. London Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
•Masters Programme: Conservation
Application deadline: see website
•Masters Programme: Arts and Heritage Management
Application deadline: see website
•Masters Programme: Restoration and Conservation (by project)
Application deadline: see website
•Bachelor of Science (Hons): Restoration and Conservation
Application deadline: see website
•Bachelor of Science (Hons): Restoration and Conservation with Professional Practice
Application deadline: see website
5 May. University of Massachusetts Amherst, United States
Online course: Engaging Communities in Local Heritage Management
Registration deadline: 18 July 2010

26 April. University College London (UCL), United Kingdom
Master of Science programme: Sustainable Heritage
NEW Master of Research programme: Heritage Research (starts September 2010)
Application deadline: see website

More info at http://www.iccrom.org/eng/news_en/2010_en/field_en/misc_en.shtml

2nd cycle Master’s degree Course in science for the conservation-restoration of cultural heritage (SCoRe)

2nd cycle Master’s degree Course in science for the conservation-restoration of cultural heritage (SCoRe)
http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/604

UNESCO recommends reconstruction of Ugandan World Heritage Site

http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/601

Call for applications Master "World Heritage at Work"

Call for applications for the 3rd edition of the Master programme on "World Heritage at Work"
http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/603
http://p31.itcilo.org/masters/worldheritage

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CONSERVATION WORKSHOP DETAILS

RE-DISCOVERING THE SOUL OF SWAHILI TRADITION: CONSERVATION OF SWAHILI-STYLE STONE HOUSE LAMU WORLD HERITAGE SITE, KENYA
Date:	November 14-27, 2010
Cost:	$2240* 2 weeks $1620* 1 week * Plus transportation to the site Price based on double occupancy. Single room rates available on request.
Note:	There are special rates for residents of African countries, who must register directly with the Lamu office; see below for more information.
Instructor:	Shedor Kamalkhan Kalandar
Project Funding:	Genographic Legacy Fund
Project Details
Background On Lamu Island, just off the coast of Kenya, a foray into the past is made possible by present-day planning decisions. Traveling the streets on foot or by donkey (no cars are allowed) or sailing the waters in a dhow, you’ll discover a culture that is a dynamic blend of African and Arab heritage. This discovery is no accident, but rather something the Lamu World Heritage Site and Conservation Office set out to preserve and protect. The island and town of Lamu are heir to a distinctive tradition that is over a thousand years old. Lamu Old Town dates back to at least the 12th century; it is one of the original Swahili city states of East Africa formed by Arab traders. It is also one of the oldest settlements in Kenya and the only coastal settlement to retain its original character. The core of the old town’s beauty is its stone buildings, set along streets rarely more than eight feet wide. The close proximity of the stone walls cools the air and blocks the sun’s rays. This city core was the focus of a study by the Kenyan government in 1972. The recommendation was to gazette the old town as a protected area and institute a conservation plan to develop it as both a cultural site and a tourist destination. The town was declared a national monument in 1980 and added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 2001. Project Conservationists in Lamu have long been concerned that much traditional knowledge is no longer being handed down from one generation to the next. As a result, traditional methods of both building construction and hand tooled crafts are being lost. The goal of this workshop is to stimulate interest in a variety of traditional trades, from construction to building dhows, creating calligraphy, sewing traditional hats and more. Workshop organizers hope to spark a renewed appreciation for such arts in both the local community and the East African region as a whole. Traditional building techniques will be the primary focus of the workshop. This is also the focus of the Genographic Legacy Fund (GLF), who through grants aims to empower traditional peoples by supporting locally-led efforts that raise global awareness about the cultural loss indigenous and traditional communities face. GLF has awarded a $22,000 grant to support the workshop. There are many historic homes throughout the old town built in the Swahili traditional style - an inward looking, self-contained complex in which a central courtyard is surrounded by narrow rooms. These rooms have ceilings made of boriti mangrove poles and a flat open roof sometimes shaded by thatched makuti shelters. Patterned niches are found in the interiors, and most houses have ornately stylized carved doors. Other traditional materials used in their construction include: Coral stones of various size used for foundation Hardwood timbers used for structural members such as lintels, beams, suspended floor joists, etc. Coral rag and lime mortar used in the massive monolithic walls, and Lime plaster and white wash used as wall finishes. Workshop participants will be helping preserve one of the few remaining historic residences within the old town that is still owned and inhabited by a local family. The building’s ground floor, built in the traditional style, is in poor condition. The floor above was built recently using modern cement sand mortar and coral blocks. In this demonstration project, workshop leaders will highlight how poorly executed upward expansions may cause damage to the original coral rag structures. This conflict of old and new and loss of tradition is also being experienced in Zanzibar, Mombasa Old Town and Ilha de Mozambique. Therefore, trainees from Lamu, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Mozambique Island, Kilwa, Bagamoyo and the Comoros islands will be joining the workshop and working alongside HCN participants coming from other regions of the world. The two-week workshop consists of two segments. The first part is a two-day theoretical presentation on the principles of coral rag building and timber window and door restoration. This session will also cover the manufacture, slaking and preparation of lime. The remainder of the workshop will focus on teaching traditional construction and maintenance methods that are being lost due to the adoption of conventional construction techniques. A primary aim of the workshop is to demonstrate that contemporary construction techniques are generally not suitable in the restoration and preservation of historic coral rag buildings, and therefore to encourage people to return to the traditional techniques. The long-term goal of the project is to increase the number of traditional building craftsmen in the region; these skilled workers are disappearing at an alarming rate. Our host for this project is the Lamu World Heritage Site and Conservation Office. Other partner organizations include the Research Institute of Swahili Studies of Eastern Africa, Centre for Heritage Development in Africa, and the Organization of World Heritage Cities – East Africa Network. The Lamu Cultural Festival follows immediately after the workshop, from November 27-30, for those wishing to extend their stay a few days and join the fun. Logistics The workshop will be two weeks in length and participants may register for either one or two weeks. The cost is US$1620 for one week and US$2240 for two weeks, which covers lodging, meals, insurance, fieldtrips, workshop materials and instruction. Transportation to the workshop is not included and is the responsibility of the participant. A special rate is available for residents of African countries, who must register directly with the Lamu World Heritage Site and Conservation Office. The fee for professionals is US$840 for 1 week; US$1140 for 2 weeks plus transportation. The fee for undergraduate students from African countries is US$640 for 1 week; US$840 for 2 weeks plus transportation. Contact the Lamu Office at lamumuseum[@]hotmail.com or mamwenje[@]yahoo.com for more information and details. Lodging will be provided at two hotels – Sunsail Hotel and Bahari Kitendetini – and participants may check in on Sunday of the week they are attending. The workshop fee covers lodging from Sunday night through Saturday night. Work hours at the site are generally Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. A local women’s group will cater two teas and lunch each day at the work site, serving local Swahili delicacies. Bottled water will be provided at the site. Evenings are free for exploring the area’s many beautiful sites, and group fieldtrips are planned for the weekend. For international visitors traveling from outside East Africa, air travel is the best option to get to Lamu. All flights will go through Nairobi, and depending on your arrival time, a night in Nairobi may be required. If so, you will be met at the airport and given a ride to a hotel by project personnel. There are scheduled flights daily from Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi to Manda Island, followed by a ten-minute dhow ferry ride to Lamu Island. Participants will be met at the plane on Manda Island and accompanied on the dhow ride to the hotel. The majority of travelers must have a visa to enter Kenya. Specific requirements are available from the Department of Immigration. It is advisable to get a visa well in advance. Contact a travel clinic at least 3 months before you plan to travel. No immunizations are required by law to enter Kenya if you are traveling directly from Europe or the US, but several are highly recommended: yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A, and diphtheria. Be aware that Kenya is home to the chloroquine-resistant strain of malaria as well as several others. Lamu’s average daytime high in February is 30 degrees C (90 degrees F), with delightfully cooler temperatures at night. Bring clothing that is suitable for the weather that will also be protective while working, including gloves, hard soled shoes with closed toes, and a hat. As Lamu is an Islamic culture, be sensitive in choice of clothing. Insect repellant containing DEET is highly recommended. Please be conscious that safety is an important issue at any work site. If you need additional information, please contact us at workshops@adventuresinpreservation.org or call +1 303-444-0128. If you find this project intriguing, but are unable to attend, you can still participate by supporting conservation work at Lamu Island and at other project sites with a gift to AiP. Donations are tax deductible and will be used for a variety of needs – to provide participant scholarships, to purchase materials needed for conservation work, or to provide teaching materials, just to name a few. http://www.heritageconservation.net/ws-lamu-2010.htm

About the blog

This blog is an idea of the 2009-2010 participants from the Advanced international training programme in Conservation and management of historic buildings organized by the University of Lund (Sweden) and SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency). The course deals with the survey of current issues in international building conservation. Perspectives on cultural heritage, ethnic, religious, political, historical valuation of individual and groups of buildings. Concrete and practical building conservation: examination and assessment of buildings, restoration programmes, maintenance and conservation plans. Theories, historical background and contemporary approaches. Former CMHB participants are welcome to join us!!!