ICOMOS General Assembly heading our way
By Dr Diane Menzies
Kei ngā iwi o konei, ngā tangata o te whenua he uri o ngā whetū, tēnā koutou katoa. Koutou mai i ngā kokona whare, mai tata, mai tawhiti, nau mai ki tēnei papa o ngā tangata whenua, haere mai ki tēnei hui whakanui, nau mai haere mai, nau mai piki mai, nau mai whakatau mai.
I acknowledge the first nations (Aboriginals) of this land (Australia), direct descendants of the celestial gods, I acknowledge you. To all those from the corners of the world, those near and far, welcome to the land of the first nations people, welcome to the conference, welcome once, welcome twice, welcome thrice.
Landscape architects have a close connection with ICOMOS, the International Committee on Monuments and Sites through the ICOMOS-IFLA International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes. Landscape architects who work with cultural landscapes can apply to become members of this committee, of which there are several Aotearoa members.
ICOMOS GA2023 will be held in Sydney at the end of August this year.
The ICOMOS triennial global General Assembly is to be held for the first time in our own “backyard” – Sydney, Australia. The theme for the 21st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of ICOMOS (GA2023) is “Heritage Changes: Resilience, Responsibility, Rights, Relationships”.
The International Symposium has programs on Nature-Culture Journey, Heritage for Climate, and Indigenous Heritage, among other topics which may pique the appetite of landscape architects. The is also a one-day workshop on Caring for Country which features climate change impacts and Indigenous values, as well as a one day workshop on Cultural Landscape led by the Murajuga Incorporation from north of Perth who have submitted a proposal for a world heritage cultural landscape on Country. Supporting participants include Che Wilson as speaker from Ngāti Rangi and Dr Diane Menzies. The Indigenous Heritage program is jointly chaired by Diane Menzies, Rongowhakaata/Aitanga-a-Mahaki, and Lyndon Ormond-Parker, Alyawarr, and includes presenters from Aotearoa such as Alayna Ra and Nicola Short, and Pania Newton, of Ihumaatao.
ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites, is an international non-governmental organisation of heritage professionals engaged in the conservation of places of cultural heritage value and dedicated to the conservation of the world’s historic monuments and sites. ICOMOS has National Committees in more than 110 countries, including New Zealand, and is UNESCO’s principal advisor in matters concerning the conservation and protection of historic monuments and sites. It is also an official advisory body to the World Heritage Committee regarding the World Heritage Convention, to which New Zealand is a signatory.
Registrations for GA2023 are now open to members and the public.
“This will be the first time I attend the General Assembly, and I’m incredibly excited to see that such a large community of cultural heritage enthusiasts will be together in the Pacific region to share our diverse range of stories, and discuss matters of great importance, such as the effects of climate change on our taonga. I’m looking forward to hearing how other regions are managing the effects of climate change in their environments, and how we can help both them and ourselves ensure a sustainable future by safeguarding the past and informing the future. E kore e hekeheke, he kakano rangatira - a noble heritage shall not perish,” says ICOMOS NZ Chairperson and Ambassador of Sydney GA 2023, Pamela Dziwulska.
ICOMOS New Zealand, with the generous help of their sponsors, including Dulux, have established scholarships of $2,000 each to assist its members, and those who agree to apply for membership as a condition of the scholarship, to attend the ICOMOS GA2023.
Applications are invited from ICOMOS New Zealand members, students engaged in heritage-related education or training, emerging heritage professionals, or self-employed heritage professionals. Ideally, at least one of the scholarships will be allocated to a Māori applicant.
For the successful recipients, this will provide a unique opportunity to become aware and informed of heritage matters and topics from around the world, to connect with heritage professionals beyond our corner of the Pacific, and to bring back this knowledge to Aotearoa upon their return.
You can find more event information here.
Date: 31st of August until the 9th of September 2023
Location: International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC) Sydney, Australia
Registration details here.
Pricing: Registration from AUD$400 (full-time students) to AUD$1,050 (non-members).
Scholarship information and eligibility criteria here.
Scholarship applications close: 17th of April 2023