ATHAR is a long-term programme (2004-14) with a focus on cultural heritage sites in the Arab region. The overall goal of the programme is to protect and promote the rich cultural heritage in the Arab region, and broaden access, appreciation and understanding of its past. In pursuit of this goal, ATHAR aims to enhance the work of official heritage institutions, to improve the state of conservation and presentation of heritage places on a sustainable basis.
The programme is carried out in collaboration with official and training institutions (including universities) in all Member States in the region. The programme will continue to achieve its purpose by addressing three core areas: applied knowledge in heritage planning and management, including heritage information management and cultural tourism; professional development in conservation methods and techniques; and public support and outreach.
The programme is implemented for the benefit of heritage site managers, professionals (architects, archaeologists, etc), and the general public. While each of the core areas of the programme is focused on a particular audience, the programme aims to build synergies among the various groups, thus enhancing professional networks nationally and regionally.

The ATHAR Programme is the result of a situation analysis and needs assessment conducted during 2003, and from an orientation meeting held in Damascus in May 2004 with local partners in the region. At the end of it first phase (2004–2007), the achievements of the programme were presented to the directors of heritage in the Arab countries, at the ‘18th Regional Conference on Archaeology and Heritage in the Arab States’ during a special session on capacity building for the Arab States. In a following two-day meeting of Ministers of Culture in the Arab States, support was given for the continuation of ATHAR Programme in partnership with ALECSO (the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization).

The second phase of the programme started in the 2008–2009 biennium and will continue until the end of the next biennium of 2010–2011. In support of this phase, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Sharjah and ICCROM has been signed to promote a number of the activities of the programme, in particular training and curriculum development. This MoU has also given the programme the patronage and support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of UAE, and Ruler of Sharjah.

• Enhance the applied knowledge in management of heritage places, including documentation, and cultural tourism;
• enhance professional development in conservation methodologies and techniques;
• encourage Public support and outreach in the region.

Core regional course on heritage site conservation and management
Following on the successful implementation of the three core courses of the programme in Lebanon, Jordan and Sharjah, it is expected that a fourth regional core course on heritage site conservation and management will take place in Sharjah, UAE, for six weeks. The implementation of this course, in partnership with the Government of Sharjah and its affiliated institutions; will continue to form the foundation of training initiatives of ATHAR Programme. It is developed for the benefit of professionals seeking further specialization areas at postgraduate level in the field conservation of heritage sites. Particular emphasis will be given to stabilization and maintenance methods, integrating conservation in economic and social development, and issues relevant to urban archaeology and rehabilitation of historic towns. The other training courses follow this foundation course.

Applied specialized course on conservation and management of heritage sites with mosaics
In 2008, following a series of planning meetings, a needs assessment/launch meeting was implemented at ICCROM for a new programme for the conservation of mosaics in the Mediterranean area. MOSAIKON is conceived as a five year regional programme with a special focus in the first phase on countries in the south and east of the Mediterranean. The programme is a partnership of ICCROM, the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), the Getty Foundation, and the International Committee for the Conservation of Mosaics (ICCM). The aim of the programme is to improve capacity in the region for the better conservation, maintenance, and presentation of mosaics. The programme will address both in-situ mosaics as well as lifted mosaics that are currently in storage or on display in museums and/or at archaeological sites.

In the 2010–11, the ATHAR Programme will contribute to the MOSAIKON initiative through a joint course on conservation of mosaics in-situ. The course will train managers of sites with mosaic pavements in conservation techniques for mosaics. This course will be a follow-up to the ‘Core Regional Course on Conservation of Heritage Sites’. The length of the course will be three weeks.

Applied specialized course on integrating documentation in heritage management processes
The aim of the course is to enhance applied knowledge in conservation planning and management in the Arab region, provide basic understanding of how to make and manage documentation, and to inform decisions that ensure the protection of cultural heritage sites. By the end of the course participants will be able to understand how to integrate documentation into heritage management and conservation processes, and how to practically develop and implement activities of recording, documentation and information management.  This course will be a follow-up to the ‘Core Regional Course on Conservation of Archaeological Sites’.

Applied Specialized Course on Conservation Management of Stone Masonry and Earthen Structures in the Arab Region
The ATHAR Programme and its partners will collaborate in the implementation of a second course to train specialists in conservation techniques for stone masonry and earthen architecture. This course will take place at a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). country (to be identified; e.g. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates), and will use sites in the area for applied work by participants. The length of the course will be three weeks.

Two Thematic Seminars/Workshops in the Areas of Public Outreach and Higher Education in Heritage Conservation
Two thematic seminars/workshops will be devoted to heritage education as the essence of heritage conservation in the Arab Region, and on integrating heritage conservation in university curricula. The precise title of these seminars will be defined and the location will be chosen with partners.

Publications in Arabic and ATHAR Website
The programme will continue to ensure the continuity of publication activities for the Arabic readership. Three publications are foreseen for the 2010–11 biennium, and may include proceedings of implemented ATHAR activities, and/or a selection of books on conservation principles and guidelines with reference to the Arab region. Decisions on the texts to be produced will be taken by the ICCROM Publications Committee together with ATHAR staff, in consultation with partner institutions in the region.

The programme also aims at developing a special website to serve professionals working for or in the Arab Region. This will include a directory of conservation professionals and institutions in the region, and information on ongoing conservation projects solicited through the network of the ATHAR Programme.

updated on: 16 February, 2010