Call For Abstract

Abstracts can be submitted for a paper (oral) or poster presentation.

The ICOMOS GA2026 Scientific Symposium is held under the main theme: LIVING HERITAGE: RESPECT, ACCEPT, ENHANCE, PARTNERSHIP.

The symposium aims to respond to the Triennial Scientific Plan (TSP) 2024–2027 theme, “DISASTER AND CONFLICT RESILIENT HERITAGE,” by focusing on how we can RESPOND to both disasters and conflicts in Cultural Heritage Sites. Submissions should align with the overall GA2026 theme and one of the following four sub-themes.

Sub-theme 1: RESPECT

This sub-theme focuses on ethical principles, cultural inclusiveness, and safeguarding diverse heritage values, recognizing heritage as a dynamic narrative interwoven with community identities and traditions. Submissions should explore how respect can be integrated into policy development, leveraging traditional knowledge for sustainable conservation, facilitating collaboration between stakeholders, developing communication strategies to amplify marginalized voices, and building capacities that empower communities.

Sub-theme 2: ENHANCE

This sub-theme encourages sharing research and experiences that fortify ways of safeguarding tangible and intangible heritage through innovation, technology, and various interactive means. Key areas of inquiry include enhancing cultural heritage practices for inclusivity, using new approaches and technologies for effective conservation (especially concerning disaster risk management and conflict response), building capacity and improving communication, and safeguarding intangible cultural practices.

Sub-theme 3: ACCEPT

This sub-theme recognizes that cultural heritage evolves through time, including during times of crisis such as conflict, natural disasters, and climate change. The focus is on how acceptance supports dignity, recovery, reconciliation, and resilience by listening to diverse voices. Submissions are invited on plural narratives and cultural diversity, technology and modern interventions (including AI and virtual reconstruction), disaster/conflict/post-crisis recovery, intangible heritage and continuity, and ethics, policy, and governance frameworks.

Sub-theme 4: PARTNERSHIP

This sub-theme highlights how communities, governments, and organizations work together through shared responsibility, knowledge exchange, and effective communication to safeguard cultural traditions. Key areas include effective policies that foster sustainable partnerships, learning from traditional knowledge systems (especially regarding disaster management and indigenous knowledge), facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration, improving communication (e.g., via digital technologies and storytelling), and capacity building.

Learn More

Additional Sessions

Abstracts may also be submitted for specific Call for Papers sessions organized by various ICOMOS International Scientific Committees (ISCs) or Working Groups (WGs). Examples of announced session themes include:

• Heritage Management Planning Systems
• Living Historical Cities: New Paradigms and Call to Action
• Does ICOMOS still need Doctrinal Documents?
• Knowledge, Standards, Guidelines and Resources for Education and Training in Architectural Conservation
• Expansion of “ICOMOS Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals: Policy Guidance for Heritage and Development Actors”.

Learn More

• Language: Abstracts must be submitted in English or French.
• Template: Authors must use the designated abstract template (which will be made available for download).
• Content: The abstract should clearly relate to the main theme and the selected sub-theme or specific session.
• Submission Limit: Participants may submit more than one co-authored paper and/or poster abstract. However, only one individual paper abstract and/or one individual poster abstract is permitted.
• Reclassification: The Scientific Committee Co-chairs reserve the right to reclassify submitted abstracts into the most appropriate theme or program.

The Scientific Symposium Committee will ensure that all abstracts are peer-reviewed. Selections will be made based on specific evaluation criteria

1. Concordance of the subject with the overall theme/sub-theme.
2. Scientific relevance.
3. Originality of the subject or the approach (including methodology, innovation, and impact).
4. Clarity of drafting.

By submitting an abstract, the presenter acknowledges and agrees to the following conditions:

• Publication Permission: The presenter agrees that if the abstract is accepted, ICOMOS (or ICOMOS Nepal, based on the GA2025 precedent) has permission to publish the abstract in printed and/or electronic formats.
• Full Paper/Poster Submission: The presenter agrees to submit a full draft paper or poster in accordance with the finalized format, length, and proposed submission date, agrees to the paper or poster being copy-edited, and grants permission for ICOMOS to publish the full paper or poster in printed and/or electronic formats.
• Registration and Attendance: At least one presenter must agree to register for and attend the ICOMOS Scientific Symposium in person to present and must pay the applicable registration fee.

Withdrawal Penalty: Failure to register by the author registration deadline (typically several months before the event) will result in the abstract proposal being withdrawn from the Scientific Symposium and the submitter not being allowed to present. The abstract will also not be citable as being part of the ICOMOS GA2026 Scientific Symposium Proceedings. Accepted abstracts will be considered for publication in academic journals, separately from the ICOMOS GA 2026 Proceedings.

Presenter Changes

• The Presenting Author is the only author who may request a substitute presenter.
• The substitute presenter must be a co-author.
• The substitute presenter must not be presenting another abstract at the meeting.
• All requests for presenter changes must be made using the designated contact function (e.g., “Contact Meeting Manager” via the submission portal or a dedicated email, based on past precedents) and must be approved by the Scientific Symposium co-chairs.

Withdrawal of Abstracts

• Abstracts withdrawn after the submission deadline must be withdrawn using the designated contact function (e.g., via the abstract submission portal). Withdrawal requests must be received prior to the author registration deadline