In the past 15 years, professionals from Southeast Asia have had the chance to meet and gather during CollAsia courses to exchange their working experiences. Their growing network of motivated professionals now counts over 350 alumni.
Internationality is a vital dimension of ICCROM’s activities, aiming to engage beyond country boundaries and build new knowledge through collaboration and sharing experiences. Because of ICCROM’s international character, the insights of the Southeast Asian professional community will reach colleagues in different parts of the world through other activities and programmes.
Throughout its existence, CollAsia activities have strived to establish a strong professional network within Southeast Asia, nurturing whenever possible direct links with colleagues in other parts of the world. The development of conservation as a field depends on contribution and commitment of individual professionals who work with others to shape the future.
Conservation actions are one part of a bridge built over time, ensuring that objects and their messages reach future generations. Heritage reaches over distance as well. The world can be seen as hosting both geographical and cultural regions. Common traits of heritage in materials, techniques and use are found in surprising locations.
It is inspiring when professional connections are forged between interregional networks. ICCROM as an organization provides time and space to address common concerns, discovering treasures in diversity with neighbours and on a worldwide scale. Concrete actions of solidarity and exchange are the key for a strong and relevant profession into the future.
To learn more, join the CollAsia community, or subscribe to the CollAsia Facebook group.
