10 November. In an official closing ceremony, the Course on ‘Architectural Conservation Projects in Iraq’ ended on 3 November 2007. The course was organized in Istanbul by ICCROM, through its ATHAR programme, in partnership with the UNESCO-Iraq Office in Amman.

Twelve Iraqi conservation professionals took part in the course held at the Department of Architecture, Kadir Has University, Turkey.

Mr Mohammad Djelid, the Director of UNESCO Office for Iraq and Iraqi officials were present at the ceremony at which course participants also outlined strategies for the management of conservation projects at Al Askari Shrine in Samarra and the Citadel of Erbil.

Representatives from the Iraqi Government, notably the Waqf Ministry, also made reference to the importance of these projects for the cultural heritage of Iraq. Mr Mohammad Djelid and Mr Mourad Zmit, Project Manager, UNESCO-Iraq, highlighted the significance of these projects to UNESCO and the continued support of the Iraqi Government.

The participants were then given course certificates. Follow-ups to the introductory course were also discussed, including possible advanced specialist and applied courses, awareness programmes for various audience, proposed individual projects that can be supported by the institutions and organizations involved, and their role in the execution of projects in Iraq.

Member States represented: Canada, Germany, Jordan, Netherlands, Syria, Turkey, United States

updated on: 27 January, 2010