Training Workshop on the Management and Conservation of World Heritage Sites
Hiroshima, Japan, 18 to 21 April 2005

Dear Friends,
UNITAR Hiroshima Office for Asia and the Pacific launched in 2003 a three-year series on the Management and Conservation of World Heritage Sites, aiming at a better use of the World Heritage Convention. The 2005 workshop, the second of the series, will focus on ‘World Heritage Management: A Value-based Approach’.

The 2005 training workshop will introduce the participants to basic knowledge, information and updates on the World Heritage regime and current topics regarding heritage management, set down the underlying principles of value-based heritage management, study leading policies and strategies including their successes and failures, explain legal and policy planning techniques, discuss case studies and practical exercises, and enhance long-term learning and exchange among the participants. A study tour to two World Heritage sites in Hiroshima, the A-Bomb Dome and Itsukushima Shinto Shrine, will provide additional case studies and learning opportunities. It is our hope that the UNITAR participants will then serve as trainers in their respective country/institution.

The topics of the workshop will include, inter alia:
· Interpretation of resource/site and assessment of its universal value;
· Management planning;
· Stakeholders and costs/benefit sharing;
· Monitoring changes in site values;
· Restoration of damaged sites and international assistance;
· Resolution of conflicts over site usage.

The target participants (trainees) will be actual/potential site managers, trainers and decision makers within national World Heritage administrations and mid-level national government officers from different authorities such as the Ministries of environment, culture or forestry. A few slots will be made available to representatives of national academic institutions and think tanks as well as to representatives of civil society.

We would be most grateful if you could inform qualified individuals in your organization of this workshop. The candidates should submit a full application package for final selection by an ad hoc selection committee. Tuition fees, flight tickets costs, accommodation and meals of some selected participants from developing countries may be covered by UNITAR. Number of places being limited, those wishing to be selected should send their applications as soon as possible. Please refer to our website www.unitar.org/hiroshima for more information. Should you have any questions please contact Ms. Hiroko Nakayama at hiroko.nakayama@unitar.org, or Mr. Chris Moore at chris.moore@unitar.org. We thank you in advance for your assistance in the information dissemination process.

With our kind regards,
Nassrine Azimi
Director
UNITAR Hiroshima Office for Asia and the Pacific