Finding Solutions for Coexistence Between World Heritage Preservation and Local Community Life

'Education Curriculum for Human-Centered Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation Management'

The Cultural Heritage Administration, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage, International Research Centre for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, and the World Conservation Union are operating the "Education Program for Human-Centered Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation Management" until the 12th. This is a capacity-building course involving site managers and experts from twenty-three countries with World Heritage sites. The program seeks ways to harmonize the lives of social members, especially local residents, in the process of establishing and managing heritage protection policies. Established in 2015 with support from the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, it has been conducted in countries such as Italy, Albania, and Zambia. Since last year, Korea National University of Cultural Heritage has participated as a collaborative partner in planning and operation.

This course, held face-to-face for the first time in three years, includes twenty-one trainees from eighteen countries and thirteen World Heritage experts from eight countries including the Republic of Korea, Italy, Kenya, and Egypt. Topics cover the World Heritage system, Korea's cultural heritage protection policies, the value and attributes of heritage, heritage zones and buffer zones, community cooperation methods, and sustainable tourism. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "We are focusing on discussing test assignments using the Gochang Tidal Flat, part of the 'Korean Tidal Flats' inscribed as a World Heritage site last year, as a case study."

At the opening ceremony held on the 2nd in the main auditorium of the National Palace Museum of Korea, a public session explaining the purpose and intent of the course will be conducted. Yoojin Cho, program director of the World Heritage Leadership Program, will present on "The Purpose and Intent of the World Heritage Leadership Program and Course" and "Overview of World Heritage." Sarah Court, consultant of the World Heritage Leadership Program, will discuss "Why Do We Manage Heritage? Heritage Sites and Sustainable Development." Steve Brown and Leticia Leitao, consultants of the World Heritage Leadership Program, will cover "Heritage Management: Management Systems and Management Cycles." Kyunghee Lim, curator at the National Palace Museum of Korea, will present on "Korea's Heritage Management System," and Jihong Kim, officer at the Cultural Heritage Administration's Office of Palaces and Royal Tombs, will discuss "Korea's World Heritage." Each will conduct presentations and discussions on their respective topics.