ABSTRACT

for the
th
11 US/ICOMOS
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM
Developing a comprehensive approach to
US participation in the global heritage community
May 28 - 31, 2008 in Washington, DC

Submitted by:
Dr. Mechtild Rossler
Chief, Europe & North America
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Paris
M.Rossler@unesco.org

and

Nora Mitchell, Ph.D.

Director, Conservation Study Institute
National Park Service
54 Elm Street, Woodstock, VT 05091
802 457-3368 x 17
Nora_Mitchell@nps.gov

Title: Sustaining a Knowledge Network for International Exchange on Cultural Landscapes

This paper will review a wide range of experience to date in building a knowledge network for people
working on cultural landscape conservation in many countries around the world. Beginning in 1992 at
an international working meeting in France, a definition of cultural landscapes was developed that was
subsequently included in the World Heritage Committee’s Operational Guidelines. Eligibility of cultural
landscapes to the World Heritage List served as a catalyst for international discussions under the
auspices of many organizations including the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS, and US/ICOMOS and
other national ICOMOS committees, and in partnership with IUCN (World Conservation Union).
International meetings, hosted by many different countries, continued refining evaluation and
management of cultural landscapes, and resulted in many landmark reports and guidance to
practitioners. This international dialogue on cultural landscapes directly responded to many other
concurrent changes in international preservation, such as developing a thematic approach through a
global strategy, addressing the issue of authenticity, and enhancing the integration of natural and
cultural heritage. This collaborative and innovative approach to sharing expertise and best practices
among countries has demonstrated the advantages of international exchange and has created the
foundation for an international network. This paper will examine the benefits of this network and
explore future actions needed to strengthen and sustain it with reference to the findings of the Preserve
America Summit’s report on US participation in the global heritage community.