EPWG

Emerging Professionals Working Group (EPWG)

From Legacy to Leadership: Shaping the Future of ICOMOS

An intergenerational exchange exploring what living heritage means to younger generations today, the challenges facing emerging professionals, and how collective knowledge can shape the future of heritage conservation.

Theme

Living Heritage

  • Respect
  • Enhance
  • Accept
  • Partnership

Jointly coordinated by

Prof. Toshiyuki Kono (Honorary President of ICOMOS), Dr. Ning Liu, Dr. Mariana Pereira, Luka Nedzbala, and the Emerging Professionals Working Group (EPWG).

Part I · Round table discussion

What does living heritage mean to the younger generations today?

  • 20 October 2026
  • 08:30–10:00

What does living heritage mean to the younger generations today? What challenges do Emerging Professionals face?


  • Moderator: Dr Ning Liu

Part II · Intergenerational dialogue

Intergenerational dialogues on heritage conservation, through the lens of World Heritage

  • 22 October 2026
  • 13:30–16:30
  • Moderator: Prof. Toshiyuki Kono
  1. Past Design Workshop: looking back to the 1960sReflecting on the foundations of heritage conservation, the legacy of earlier generations, and the evolution of World Heritage principles.
  2. Future Design Workshop: travelling to the year 2086Imagining future approaches to heritage conservation and exploring the responsibilities of today's professionals towards generations to come.
  3. Plenary discussions & recommendationsBringing intergenerational perspectives together to formulate recommendations for the future of ICOMOS and heritage conservation.
Heritage Expo

International Photography Competition

Generation Climate: Heritage Revelations · Génération Climat : Révélations patrimoniales. Supported by the ICOMOS Emerging Professionals Working Group (EPWG).

International Photography Competition poster (English) International Photography Competition poster (Français) International Photography Competition poster (中文)
Heritage Expo · Photography Exhibition

Young Eyes on UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Reflecting on UNESCO's 80th year.

  • 19–22 October 2026
  • Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
Young Eyes on UNESCO World Heritage Sites poster
Download Poster (PDF)

Honouring the past. Engaging the present. Shaping the future.

Through respect for inherited knowledge, the enhancement of professional capacity, the acceptance of diverse perspectives, and meaningful intergenerational partnerships, EPWG seeks to strengthen the next generation of heritage conservation leaders.