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| Background: |
| July 2004, at the 28th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, decision: ‘Welcomes the initiative of the Chinese Government to establish a World Heritage Research and Training Institute in China and invites the State Party to report on the progress of this initiative at the 7th extraordinary session of the Committee in 2004’ (WHC-04/28.COM/INF.19B). December 2004, at the 7th Extraordinary Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, decision: ‘Takes note with appreciation of the progress made to date in the setting up of the "World Heritage Research and Training Institute in China", and welcomes the assurances that there will be no financial implications to the World Heritage Fund from such initiative’ (WHC-04/ 7 EXT.COM 11) April 2005, Tongji University (Shanghai) submitted the official application and proposal to the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO for hosting the ‘UNESCO World Heritage Research and Training Institute’ in Shanghai. Thereafter, Tongji University and its College of Architecture and Urban Planning have received high recognition for their capacity-building and preparation work from international/national experts and officials during reviews and measures. July 2006 at the 30th UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Chinese delegation made a presentation on the Feasibility Study of World Heritage Research and Training Institute in China. The committee decision: ‘Thanks the State Party of China for pursuing and making possible the World Heritage Research and Training Institute’ (WHC-06/30.com/11D) August 2006, Shanghai Municipal Government officially contacts the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO to support Tongji University for hosting World Heritage Research and Training Institute in Shanghai. September 2006, the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO officially endorses the establishment of World Heritage Research and Training Institute in Tongji University in Shanghai, specialized in the field of cultural heritage conservation. January 2007, the coordinating meeting about the World Heritage Research and Training Institute was held at national level. The name is adjusted to World Heritage Institute of Training and Research-Asia and Pacific , Shanghai, hereinafter called “WHITR-AP (Shanghai)”. There will be three branches: WHITR-AP (Shanghai) is responsible for cultural heritage conservation; WHITR-AP (Beijing) takes charge of natural heritage conservation and WHITR-AP (Suzhou) is in charge of handcraft protection. 21st May, 2007, H.E. Francesco BANDARIN (Director of UNESCO WHC) and H.E. Xinsheng ZHANG (Vice Minister of Education, Chairman of Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, Chairman of Executive Board for UNESCO) unveiled the cover of World Heritage Institute of Training and Research - Asia and Pacific (Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou). |
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| The WHITR-AP (Shanghai) is granted under national legislation, the autonomous legal capacity necessary to exercise its functions and to receive subventions, obtain payments for services rendered and carry out the acquisition of all means required.
It shall be an autonomous institution at the service of Member States and Associate Members of UNESCO that, by their common interest in the objectives of the Institute, desire to cooperate with the Institute. In legal terms, The WHITR-AP (Shanghai) shall be an independent international institution with an open operational system. |
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| Objectives |
The main objectives of WHITR-AP (Shanghai) shall be to improve the overall capacity of the region on the protection, management and research of the world heritage. The sub-objectives are suggested as follows: 1)To contribute to the achievement of a more even geographical distribution of training and research institutions for World Heritage conservation;2)To promote better protection, conservation, management and governance of the properties on the World Heritage List; 3)To carry out capacity-building activities such as research, training for site managers, local government officials, educators and technicians as well on the conservation of both cultural and natural heritage sites; 4)To encourage the development of world heritage site manager’s regional network to exchange information, experience and best practices; 5)To foster the setup of disciplines relevant to the world heritage conservation and other academic activities in the universities and colleges in the region; 6)To accelerate communication, particularly the free flow of information aimed at educating and raising awareness about world heritage among the general public and especially youth; 7)To foster international collaboration by formulating cooperative projects with UNESCO and other national/ international bodies. |
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The main function of World Heritage Institute of Training and Research-Asia and Pacific, Shanghai hereinafter called “WHITR-AP (Shanghai)” includes: 1)Conducting research and training programs, for the sake of improving the quality and standard of World Heritage conservation in the region |
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Interim Director: Prof. Zhiqiang WU, Prof. Jian ZHOU
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