Petra
Petra - Jordan

It is a challenging time for cultural heritage in parts of the Middle East and North Africa that have seen large-scale devastation, including the desecration and destruction of temples, shrines, cities and monuments.

Now more than ever, ICCROM’s work on cultural heritage protection and preservation in conflict areas is needed. Since it opened its doors in 2012, ICCROM’s Regional Centre in Sharjah (ICCROM-ATHAR Centre), United Arab Emirates, has proven vital to fulfilling the organization’s mandate in the Arab Region by being closer to stakeholders and by leveraging regional collaboration mechanisms and community engagement in a region of many risks but also considerable opportunities. The centre in the UAE has become an important force for cultural heritage advocacy, providing substantive logistical and operational support to ICCROM’s work in the region.

In partnership with Arab Member States, ICCROM-ATHAR aspires to protect the cultural heritage of the Arab region and to broaden access, appreciation and understanding of its history. The Centre focuses on architectural and archaeological tangible heritage, including heritage collections and historic places, sites and monuments. It primarily aims to enhance the capacity of official heritage institutions to manage heritage sites and museum collections on a sustainable basis. It does this through an array of regional educational and field activities, capacity building and training, consultation, information dissemination, symposia, workshops and seminars.

ICCROM-ATHAR’s mission is generously supported by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, as well as Member States and other partners.

Featured

Accessing Cultural Heritage During COVID-19

Remote Access to Cultural Heritage During COVID-19

How can you provide access to cultural heritage during the pandemic? The current social distancing rules have led many heritage places such as museums, archives and archaeological sites to find creative ways of connecting with people.

ICCROM Kickstarts Heritage Recovery Programme in Mosul, Iraq

ICCROM Kickstarts Heritage Recovery Programme in Mosul, Iraq

ICCROM has embarked on a comprehensive programme to build the capacity of young Moslawi architects, engineers and craftsmen to contribute to the recovery of the cultural heritage of Mosul, Iraq. This programme is implemented through an international partnership agreement with UNESCO under the “Revival of the Spirit of Mosul” initiative, and with the financial support of the Government of the...

Heritage in Peace Building

PATH - A tool for directing heritage recovery for sustainable peace

Ending civil-strife and sustaining peace is a global priority, as articulated in the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, through its Goal 16. History, however, points to a different reality: nearly half of all peace agreements signed since the second half of the 20th century have resulted in conflict relapse.

Rethinking Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage Collections

Rethinking Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage Collections

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt everyday life, ICCROM's International Course on Rethinking Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage Collections has provided a window of opportunity to rethink training and develop capacities.

ICCROM Council Member Gihane Zaki, sworn into Egyptian Parliament

ICCROM Council Member Gihane Zaki, sworn into Egyptian Parliament

On 12 January 2021, Dr Gihane Zaki, ICCROM Council Member and Professor of Egyptology who is currently Researcher at the French National Center CNRS-Sorbonne University, was appointed by the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt from within the list of 28 selected personalities to join the newly-elected deputies of Parliament.

World Arabic Language Day!

Happy World Arabic Language Day! 

The 18th of December coincides with the 47th anniversary of Arabic becoming a United Nations official language. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the richness and global importance of the Arabic language, which has played a catalytic role in culture, science and the arts throughout history. Nowadays, Arabic is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world and it represents a true...

Warsaw Recommendation now available in Arabic

Warsaw Recommendation now available in Arabic

The Warsaw Recommendation on Recovery and Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage is a document from 2018 constituting a comprehensive set of principles concerning the process of urban reconstruction and rebuilding of historic buildings or complexes of buildings destroyed as a result of armed conflicts or natural disasters.

Arab Forum Concludes and Winners of ICCROM-Sharjah Awards Announced

Arab Forum Concludes and Winners of ICCROM-Sharjah Awards Announced

Under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and the Ruler of Sharjah, the primary virtual meetings of the 2nd edition of the Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage concluded on 10 November. The Forum was organized online by ICCROM-Sharjah from 9-10 November 2020, under the title “Authenticity, Community and Conservation in the Arab Thought”.

Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage

Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage and ICCROM-Sharjah Awards

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and the Ruler of Sharjah, ICCROM-Sharjah will organize virtual meetings as part of the 2nd edition of the Arab Forum for Cultural Heritage, entitled “Authenticity, Community and Conservation in the Arab Thought”, from 9-10 November 2020. This year, due to the precautionary measures imposed by the...

Floods in Yemen and Sudan

Floods in Yemen and Sudan

In the wake of the devastating floods in Yemen and Sudan, ICCROM extends its solidarity to the governments and people of these Member States. We stand ready to provide technical assistance to secure affected cultural heritage.