Dates: 30 August – 29 September 2011

Place: Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (Nara Prefectural Government North Branch Office, 12 Noborioji-cho, Nara, Japan)

Partners

• Bunkacho (Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan)
• Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU)
• National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo and Nara, Japan
• Japanese Association for Conservation of Architectural Monuments (JACAM)
• Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage (JCIC-Heritage)
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
• Japanese National Commission for UNESCO
• Nara Prefectural Government
• Nara Municipal Government
• ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)

Background
In Asia and the Pacific region, there are various forms of cultural heritage including those made of wooden structures which are of great value from a global point of view. Proper investigation, analysis, and preservation of this important cultural heritage are required by heritage professionals, in order to safeguard them for future generations. ACCU Nara in partnership with ICCROM and Bunkacho has been organising courses since 2000 on this topic with a view to building the capacities of professionals who have been working on cultural heritage protection in the region. This course aims to provide participants with the latest methods and techniques for investigation, analysis, preservation, restoration and management of wooden structures.

Objective
The objectives of the course are to:

• provide participants with a knowledge of recording/documentation and analytical methods for wooden architecture;
• provide participants with a knowledge of principles and methodologies for preservation of wooden structures;
• provide participants with a practical knowledge of technology/techniques and hands-on training for preservation and restoration of wooden structures;
• provide participants with a knowledge of maintenance, utilization, and risk management of historical wooden structures;
• provide participants with an opportunity to network with colleagues from the region and share experiences.

Curriculum
Lectures

• Introduction to wooden architecture in Japan
  
• Introduction to Asian wooden architecture
  
• Protection system of cultural heritage in Japan
  
• International context of conservation and related conventions and charters
  
• Survey methods on conservation of vernacular houses and historic towns
  
• Principles for preservation and restoration
  
• Design and implementation of conservation projects
  
• Management and utilisation of wooden structures
  
• Risk management of cultural heritage      

Practical training and on-site lectures

• Practical training on research and documentation of wooden structures
  
• On-site lectures at the conservation sites of wooden structures
  
• Fieldwork: restoration and utilisation of architectural heritage (a three-day study tour)

Presentation and discussion

• Presentations on the present status of preservation and restoration of wooden structures in each country followed by exchange of views
  
• Future issues and views on preservation and restoration of wooden structures
  
• Recapitulation of the training session

Participants
Application procedure and content
The training course is offered to participants from the following 37 signatory countries of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (see below). The application form should be submitted no later than 31 May 2011 along with the endorsement of the UNESCO National Commission or the endorsement of the member of JCIC-Heritage. The documents necessary for application are the following.

1. Application Form (Form 1)
   Please attach a copy of the passport, if the applicant has a valid passport.
2. Report relating to the applicant’s achievements/involvements in conservation of wooden structures
   This achievement report should be written by the applicant and should be a brief summary of present and previous work related to the theme of preservation and restoration of wooden structures. This report should be no longer than 5 – 7 pages and will be weighted heavily in selection of the participants.
3. Letter of Recommendation by NATCOM or by the member of JCIC-Heritage.
4. Letter of recommendation by the head of the organization to which the applicant belongs (Annex 1)
5. Documentation indicating English proficiency (if obtained).

Completed applications should be sent to the Secretariat of the ACCU Nara Office at the address below.  Only completed applications with all necessary documents will be considered.

The following are the 37 signatories of the World Heritage Convention from Asia and the Pacific: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyz, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rep. of Korea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.

Qualification Requirements

Applicants should:

• be professionals, 45 years old or younger, who are engaged in the preservation and restoration of wooden structures and who can make effective use of the results of the training course upon returning to his/her home country;
• have a good command of English, the working language for all lectures, so that they can deliver presentations and write reports in the training sessions (ACCU Nara Office and ICCROM shall be allowed to utilize all contents of presentations and reports, including drawings and photographs, for future publication and cultural heritage protection programmes);
• attend the entire training programme;
• submit all of the required documents (listed above) within the deadlines outlined;
• continue exchanging information and interacting with ACCU after returning to their home countries;
• not have previously participated in courses organized by ACCU Nara Office (however those who have participated in the International Youth Exchange Programs and International Education Exchange Programme can apply for this programme).

Notification of screening results
After consideration with other organisers, ACCU Nara will select 16 people (one participant per nation, in principle) from among all applicants in early July. Successful applicants will be informed of the results along with each National Commission for UNESCO and the Japan Consortium for International Cooperation in Cultural Heritage.

Certificate of completion
Each participant will be awarded a certificate upon completion of the course.

Working language
English will be the working language throughout the course

Expenses
Expenses during the Course shall be borne by ACCU Nara, as follows:

1. Travelling expenses
   Each of the participants (except those from Australia, Republic of Korea, and New Zealand) shall be provided with an economy class return air ticket from the nearest international airport from their residence to Kansai International Airport, and transportation fees between Kansai International Airport and Nara.
2. Living expenses
   Participants shall be provided the basic living expenses incurred during the training course from 29 August (Monday) to 30 September (Friday) 2011 according to ACCU Nara’s regulations. Arrangements for accommodations (a room for single occupancy) will be made by ACCU Nara.

Secretariat

Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office,
Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara)
Nara Prefectural North Branch Office 3F,
12 Noborioji-cho, Nara 630-8213 JAPAN
Tel: +81-(0)742-20-5001
Fax: +81-(0)742-20-5701
E-mail: nara (at) accu.or.jp

Application deadline: 31 May 2011