5 November. Thanks to the generous hospitality of the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in Istanbul and after five months of intensive distance-learning, we were finally united for the last stage of the 2011 international course of Preventive Conservation “Reducing Risks to Cultural Heritage”. The moment we had all been waiting for had finally arrived: the face-to-face meeting in the beautiful city of Istanbul!

Since May,29 participants from all over the world have been working on individual case studies in their home country. The range of examples is spectacular; from archaeological collections to paintings, urban centers, churches, historic houses, archaeological sites, and archival collections. In five months, many risks have been identified, analyzed and evaluated.

Using the RISK 2011 distance learning web platform, participants and teachers stayed in close contact on a weekly basis. Together, they worked to clarify the different types of risks in the 29 case studies, opening new horizons to everyone in the world of risks.

The dedication and personal commitment of everyone involved led to the amazing results we saw this week. What a unique occasion to share knowledge and discover different cultural contexts and identities! Under the guidance of the teaching team and with the help of the highly inquisitive participants, everyone presented the results of his or her case study.

To facilitate and focus the online discussions, participants have been grouped since the beginning of the course according to the type of cultural heritage asset under examination. During the Seminar, these working groups had the opportunity to meet, discuss, and reflect on their case studies and their contexts. The sessions allowed the course team to effectively monitor the progress and ensure that everyone had a good handle on the methodology.

In the second half of the week, we explored, structured and assessed different options in order to reduce (i.e. treat) at least one of the major risks identified in each case study. We also focused on communication and reporting — both crucial elements to the entire process. This will allow each participant to present his or her work in a format that can be easily understood by their institutional staff and decision makers.

The course organizers, ICCROM, the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), the Netherlands Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE), and the Central Institute for Conservation in Belgrade (CIK) were also keen to obtain the views of the participants on how to shape future developments of the methodology and its dissemination.

As a former participant in the three-week face-to-face RISK course held in 2007 in Sibiu, Romania, I had the privilege of taking part in this current version of the course as an observer with two other colleagues from Brazil and Colombia. We are all convinced that by the end of the course in November, a new team of professionals will be fully prepared to disseminate the methodology across the world and share their insight to help reduce risks to our diverse cultural heritage.

Many thanks to the Course organizers and to our hosts, the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, who made this Seminar possible by arranging a productive meeting, excellent study visits, a smooth organization, as well as a studious and friendly atmosphere.

Marjolijn Debulpaep

Member States represented: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Syrian Arab Republic, Netherlands, Turkey, United Kingdom, Yemen

updated on: 11 November, 2011