Conservation in Australia, Past Present and Future: Preprints from the AICCM National Conference, 19 – 21 October 2011 Canberra
Abstract
Conservation training in developing countries is both a necessity and a challenge; in countries where training facilities are lacking or are insufficient, international organisations have organised training session for local people, focused on ethics, principles and practical training. In addition most international conservation worksites have now a training component for local people, taking into account their particular needs that may differ from our conservation traditional standards. The notion of living heritage is a key factor to integrate into conservation programs that aim at both raising awareness and provide sustainable training. During several workshops and onsite training work in Nepal and Bhutan, for UNESCO and private foundations, the author has developed an approach to conservation that includes various members of the community and promotes dialogue as a tool to achieve sustainable results. This involves involving the religious community, the traditional painters, sourcing and testing local materials, developing basic preventive conservation training tools for temple caretakers and working closely with village communities to adapt technical interventions to social needs. Conservation in this context becomes a way of reinforcing social cohesion through a shared appreciation of cultural heritage as a traditional, cultural and economic asset.