Training / Workshops

UNESCO MASTERCLASS - TRAINING THE TRAINERSAdditional Fees Apply

Session Description

Organised by ICOMOS CIF
Date: 18 October 2026
Venue: To be confirmed

Limited to 25 participants only
Fees: To be confirmed

Attendees will learn to integrate national legislation and international guidelines of good practices, diverse local knowledge systems, tangible and intangible cultural resources, such as living heritage and cultural practices and expressions. It will be an intensive, locally relevant and intercultural learning experience. We will also cover the required digital and AI upskilling.

This activity follows up from ICOMOS-CIF contribution to the UNESCO Framework in Culture and Arts Education. It will be developed in conjunction with the UNESCO Commission of Malaysia and other UNESCO departments, centers and chairs.

During the masterclass, we will implement the outcomes from the ICOMOS-CIF 2026 Symposia in Granada, and will use the 1993 Guidelines on Education and Training in the Conservation of Monuments, Ensembles and Sites and the ICOMOS-CIF Decalogue for Education in Architectural Conservation) as framework. We will also use the results from two ongoing projects: ICOMOS-CIF GACETS (Global Architectural Conservation Education and Training Survey) and the CIF Glossary (multilingual).

We will have a comprehensive range of trainers, including the chair and keynotes of the ICOMOS-CIF session at the Scientific Committee. Well-selected examples of current practice concerning architectural and urban conservation around the world will be presented by expert trainers with an in-depth knowledge of the specific region, so to place the intervention in context, from the legislation and regulatory framework to the cultural and technological aspects, including the digital transformation and AI.

Format: Introduction to topics and exercises, distribution of tasks and groups, fieldwork, discussion, public reviews and shared conclusions.

Profile of participants: This masterclass is addressed to teachers of architectural and urban conservation courses around the world, officers and officials from central and local government and authorities.

PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT CLASSAdditional Fees Apply

Session Description

Organised by ICOMOS CIF
Date: 17 October 2026
Venue: To be confirmed

Limited to 45 participants only
Fees: To be confirmed

The Preliminary Assessment is a mandatory desk-based process for all sites that may be nominated to the World Heritage List. It is undertaken by ICOMOS and IUCN on a joint basis whenever relevant, following a request by the relevant State. It is an independent desk study, which will include consultation with expert reviewers. This session will provide more details about the process and will carry out a mock preliminary assessment to train attendees.

PEOPLE-CENTRED AI AND DIGITAL TWINS FOR HISTORIC PLACESAdditional Fees Apply

French

Session Description

Context

Organised by ICOMOS CIPA-HA
Date: 15 October 2026
Venue: Grand Margherita Hotel

Limited to 40 participants only
Fees: To be confirmed

Trainer: Dr Maria Santana, Carleton University

Carleton University and Universidad del Azuay are establishing a UNESCO Chair on Digital Twins for World Heritage Conservation to advance research and practice in heritage conservation under climate change. Digital twins—dynamic, data rich representations of physical sites—enable predictive preservation, visualization, and collaborative management. Professor Stacy Vallis leads the workshop from Auckland University of Technology, strategic partner of the UNESCO Chair and scheduled around the ICOMOS General Assembly meeting in Malaysia, it fosters Global North–South collaboration and SDG linked monitoring.

Objectives
  • Promote people-centred, inclusive approaches to heritage conservation.
  • Demonstrate AI and Digital Twin tools for conservation.
  • Apply experimental approaches for the identification of values and character-defining elements of historic sites that need to be monitored and presented.
Learning Outcomes
  1. Participants will:
    • Identify heritage values and character-defining elements collaboratively.
    • Develop interpretive narratives integrating community perspectives.
    • Build a lightweight digital twin prototype for a historic site area (to be defined).
    • Produce a Heritage Interpretation Plan and monitoring storyboard.
  2. Structure:
    • Day 1: Foundations – People, Place, Values & Attributes
    • Day 2: Tools – AI & Digital Twins for conservation
    • Day 3: Integration – Interpretation and conservation outcomes
  3. Deliverables:
    • Value–Attribute Matrix
    • Digital Twin v0.1 + Indicator Dashboard Sketch
    • Interpretation and conservation outcomes report
    • Potential recommendations for policy brief on opportunities & barriers
  4. Partners:
    • UNESCO Chair on Digital Twins for World Heritage
    • ICOMOS/ISPRS CIPA Heritage Documentation
    • Auckland University of Technology
    • ICOMOS Aotearoa New Zealand
    • ICOMOS Malaysia

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