WEBINAR Archaeological Cultural Heritage in the UNESCO Mandate, April 3rd, 2025, Poznań

Thursday, 3 April 2025

11h00–13h00 CET

Online and in-person meeting (Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, PL)

Registration: https://forms.office.com/e/VsqDEBvQpX

The event is organized by the Polish National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO-UNITWIN Network on Culture in Emergencies and the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, in collaboration with UNESCO.

The central theme of the meeting will be the protection of archaeological cultural heritage and the challenges associated with it, both to movable and immovable components of cultural heritage. Archeological sites and artefacts have an important place in the UNESCO cultural conventions and recommendations. UNESCO World Heritage Sites with an archaeological dimension are unique; they testify to civilizations that have vanished and highlight extraordinary human achievements across time. The nomination and management of archaeological sites have specific characteristics that differ from other World Heritage Sites. This requires special care and vigilance, and the involvement of professionals is vital. Same is with the archeological objects that are vulnerable to the illegal excavation and illicit trafficking especially from the conflict zones.

During the seminar, we will discuss and identify current challenges related to UNESCO archaeological sites and explore ways to address them. Given the emergencies facing cultural heritage, a panel will be dedicated to presenting the UNITWIN Network on Culture in Emergencies and outlining planned activities.

The webinar will also include a panel discussion featuring young archaeologists, including recipients of the UNESCO/Poland Co-Sponsored Fellowships Programme in Archaeology and Conservation at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. The goal of this Fellowship Programme is to enable researchers from Global South countries to conduct archaeological research projects in collaboration with Polish research institutions, thus fostering international collaboration and knowledge exchange in archaeological heritage conservation both in Poland and globally.

Additionally, the seminar aims to present the activities of the Executive Committee of the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia, focusing on the establishment of the Nubian Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, in order to attract a wider audience.