July 2004, at the 28th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, decision: ‘Welcomes the initiative of the Government of China 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" (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).
According to Resolution 41 of the 34th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO, and the agreement concluded between the Government of China and UNESCO on April 10th 2008 on the establishment in China of a “World Heritage Training and Research Institute for the Asia and the Pacific Region”, a category 2 institute under the auspices of UNESCO. |