Icomos 1993 Guidelines Education
Icomos 1993 Guidelines Education
Icomos 1993 Guidelines Education
CONSERVATION
2. Conservation of cultural heritage is now recognized as resting within the general field
of environmental and cultural development. Sustainable management strategies for change
which respect cultural heritage require the integration of conservation attitudes with
contemporary economic and social goals including tourism.
3. The object of conservation is to prolong the life of cultural heritage and, if possible, to
clarify the artistic and historical messages therein without the loss of authenticity and
meaning. Conservation is a cultural, artistic, technical and craft activity based on humanistic
and scientific studies and systematic research. Conservation must respect the cultural
context.
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AIMS OF COURSES
6. There is a need to impart knowledge of conservation attitudes and approaches to all
those who may have a direct or indirect impact on cultural property.
7. The practice of conservation is interdisciplinary; it therefore follows that courses
should also be multidisciplinary.
Professionals, including academics and specialized
craftspersons, who have already received their normal qualification will need further training
in order to become conservationists; equally those who seek to act competently in historic
environment.
8. Conservationists should ensure that all artisans and staff working on a monument,
ensemble or site respect its significance.
9. Training in disaster preparedness and in methods of mitigating damage to cultural
property, by strengthening and improving fire prevention and other security measures, should
be included in courses.
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10. Traditional crafts are a valuable cultural resource. Craftspersons, already with high
level manual skills, should be further trained for conservation work with instruction in the
history of their craft, historic details and practices, and the theory of conservation with the
need for documentation. Many historic skills will have to be recorded and revived.
RESOURCES
16. Resources needed for specialist courses may include e.g.:
a) an adequate number of participants of required level ideally in the range of 15 to
25;
b) a full-time co-ordinator with sufficient administrative support;
c) instructors with sound theoretical knowledge and practical experience in
conservation and teaching ability;
d) fully equipped facilities including lecture space with audio-visual equipment,
video, etc., studios, laboratories, workshops, seminar rooms, and staff offices;
e) library and documentation center providing reference collections, facilities for
coordinated research, and access to computerized information networks;
f) a range of monuments, ensembles and sites within a reasonable radius.
17. Conservation depends upon documentation adequate for understanding of
monuments, ensembles or sites and their respective settings. Each country should have an
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institute for research and archive for recording its cultural heritage and all conservation works
related thereto. The course should work within the archive responsibilities identified at the
national level.
18. Funding for teaching fees and subsistence may need special arrangements for midcareer participants as they may already have personal responsibilities.
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