UNESCO Chair Programme on Cultural Heritage and Risk Management: International Training Course (ITC) on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage 2023

1. Time

Online - 14 Aug to 1 Sep 2023, 8:00-10:30 (CET/Summer), 15:00-17:30 (JST)
Onsite - 11 Sep to 24 Sep 2023, 9:00-18:00 (JST)

2. Background and Objectives of the Course

The International Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage is a follow-up of the recommendations adopted at the Special Thematic Session on Risk Management for Cultural Heritage held at UN-WCDR (World Conference on Disaster Reduction) in January 2005 in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. One of these recommendations advocated the need for the academic community to develop scientific research, education and training programs incorporating cultural heritage, in both its tangible and intangible manifestations, into disaster risk management. The importance of strengthening knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of disaster prevention at WH properties was reiterated by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, Lithuania, July 2006). Till now, 180 professionals from 72 countries have been trained through this annual course.

The main objective of the course is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge on the various aspects of disaster risk management of cultural heritage.

Please refer to the following link: ITC Core Programme page.

3. Subtheme of ITC 2023

Safeguarding and Utilization of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage

Recently, the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from Japan “Traditional skills, techniques, and knowledge for the conservation and transmission of wooden architecture in Japan” was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2020. This a great example that addresses the value and contribution of ICH towards the sustainability of tangible cultural heritage through 17 different skills such as traditional woodworking techniques, decoration of traditional structures, and restoration skills of traditional buildings. These are important skills to restore and protect cultural heritage from disasters caused by various natural and human-induced hazards. ICH is also recognized as having a vital role in disaster recovery as a means for physical and psychosocial support for communities and a source of traditional knowledge accumulated over time.

Therefore, this year, ITC will focus on the safeguarding and utilization of Intangible Cultural Heritage in disaster risk management. Japan is home to a variety of frequently occurring disasters, which can cause wide-ranging damage to its cultural resources. This has resulted in the development of a rich wealth of traditional knowledge that can contribute towards disaster risk management. Various organizations have taken specialized measures which are based on traditional skills, techniques and knowledge for mitigation, preparedness, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery of cultural heritage. These measures, developed in response to local geographical, climatic, and social characteristics related to the Japanese context as well as from other parts of the world will be introduced to the participants during this interdisciplinary training.

4. Methodology

This year’s course will be conducted in hybrid mode and will include online as well as on site components. These will include thematic lectures, workshops, site visits and field works by Japanese and international experts. 

1. The online part will be conducted over 3 weeks. Each week there will be two online live sessions and one mentoring session for participants’ case study projects.
2. The onsite part will be conducted over 2 weeks. The onsite part is focused on site visits and field exercises.
3. Participants will select one cultural heritage site or institution from their respective countries and will develop disaster risk management plans during the course, which will be presented during the final presentation.

5. Participants

The participants will be made up of a maximum of 15 professionals from all parts of the world, working in the fields of cultural heritage conservation and disaster risk management.

6. Working Language

English

7. Course Fee

Free

8. Travel, Accommodation and Living Expenses

Participants will be responsible for their round-trip travel costs to and from Kyoto. In order to cover accommodation and living expenses in Kyoto during the course, participants should plan for a minimum amount of 150,000 Yen for two weeks. Candidates are strongly encouraged to seek financial support from sources such as governmental institutions, employers and funding agencies. In cases of proven financial need and depending on the availability of funding from external sources at the time of the course, a limited number of partial scholarships may be granted.

9.What Participants Receive after Successful Completion of the Course?

• Course completion certificate
• Online proceedings of ITC 2023 with DRM plans of Case Study Project prepared by each participant during the course
• Posters based on DRM plans of case study projects prepared during the course will be uploaded on the website of R-DMUCH and ICCROM