27 November. The second week of the course was dedicated to the analysis and understanding heritage items, their significance, and their contexts. It started with sessions on heritage values, followed by the introduction of biographical analysis, and by discussion on the role of science for conservation decisions. The 'course collection' (objects brought by participants) was used in group work exercises on value-based decision making. The role of stakeholders in conservation decisions was discussed and illustrated through role playing. Other topics addressed, in week two, included international charters and legal frameworks for cultural heritage conservation, and decision-making under emergency situations. The benefits of optimizing the use of information for conservation projects were highlighted.

A session on the perception of heritage took place at the Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro (ISCR) in Rome. Participants were also shown the conservation and restoration projects carried out at ISCR.

During week 3, the participants carried out a case study at at the World Heritage site of the Sacred Mount of Varallo in northern Italy and put into practice the concepts, tools, and approaches discussed during the previous weeks. They worked in interdisciplinary groups and developed options for the conservation and use of the site, taking into account aspects such as its religious use, and its potential benefits to the town and community of Varallo. A consultation meeting with stakeholders was organized to collect further information for the development of proposals for the case study. Present were: the vice-mayor of Varallo; representatives of the Church; regional cultural heritage organizations responsible for the site; and the local tourism office. School children of different age groups and the Sacred Mount visitors from the local community were asked to fill out a questionnaire about the significance of the Sacred Mountain in order to complement the stakeholder analysis.

Back in Rome, the working groups continued to develop conservation proposals for the Sacred Mount. Participants were introduced to the use of methods and tools for decision-making in the context of evaluation of the conservation proposals for the Sacred Mount of Varallo.

Member States represented: Albania, Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Estonia, Guatemala, Iran, Israel, Italy, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Romania, Serbia, United Kingdom, United States

updated on: 1 December, 2008