Background and Objectives
In September 2023, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee published the Third Cycle Periodic Reporting and Regional Framework Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific Region at its 45th session in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The action plan underscored the importance of serial properties in Asia and the Pacific Region, especially for transnational/transboundary properties, which strongly echoed UNESCO’s mission regrading international cooperation, peace building, and promoting the highest international standards for conservation and interpretation of heritage.
However, there are a number of difficulties faced by serial heritage. For those properties already inscribed on the World Heritage List, challenges such as the appropriate recognition and interpretation of the Outstanding Universal Values and effective coordination of trans-regional management need to be taken into consideration. The serial sites in process of nomination also need to enhance proper value justification and interpretation, and solid transnational coordination mechanism. Thus, there is a great need to deeply explore the values and attributes of the sites and explore approaches to better protection, interpretation and management of the serial properties.
Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China, as a serial heritage, was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2021. Since its inscription, the authorities and relevant stakeholders have committed themselves in the protection and sustainable development of the World Heritage site. Practices and rich experiences for protection and management of this serial property could be shared with a wider audience at a regional and global scope.
Having acknowledged the urgent need for action, in order to echo the spirit of the Action Plan, UNESCO World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region – Beijing (WHITRAP Beijing), ICOMOS China, School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University and Fujian Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage will organize a joint thematic Workshop on Serial World Heritage Properties in Asia-Pacific Region in 10-17 August, 2025 in Quanzhou, China.
Through lectures, field studies and group projects, participants will gain and share insights and deeper understanding on the core concepts, characteristics, requirements for serial World Heritage properties, and will explore the ways and best practices of management and value enhancement amongst the professional network.
Expected Outcomes
Participants are expected to:
gain the ability of identifying the values, attributes and components of serial heritage;
understand the principles of nomination and value justification;
gain insights on the challenges and opportunities of the planning, legislation and monitoring of the sites;
develop knowledge of value enhancement and capacity-building of serial heritages sites.
Dates and Location
Dates: 10-17 August, 2025
Location: Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China
Resource Persons
International and Chinese heritage experts from ICOMOS, ICCROM, etc.
Professionals from WHITRAP Beijing and ICOMOS China.
Heritage managers from China and other Asian countries.
Target Groups
The workshop will recruit 20 participants who are professionals, managers and practitioners actively engaged in the management and nomination of serial heritage sites in Asia-Pacific region.
The workshop will be conducted in English and Chinese (translation will be provided). Applicants are required to be proficient in English.
Application Process
Complete the application form in English.
Upload the applicant’s professional curriculum vitae (in English)
(Allowed formats: pdf, doc, docx, jpg, jpeg, png, tif, tiff; maximum file size of 4 MB).
Please be noted that the deadline of the application is 31/05/2025.
Applicants are encouraged to submit all required documents before the due date by email (icomoschina@icomoschina.org.cn).
Host organizations will be responsible for selecting the participants, the results of selection will be sent to the applicants through email by end of June.
If you encounter any issues submitting your application or if you have any questions concerning the course, please email us at icomoschina@icomoschina.org.cn
Logistics and Fees
The participants will need to obtain the visa to China on their own. The host organization will help provide necessary documents for the visa application.
There is no fee charged for the workshop.
The host organizers will cover relevant expenses incurred during the stay in Quanzhou, including accommodation, meals and local transportation. Participants are responsible for their own travel costs to and from Quanzhou. Travel subsidies may be granted pending on needs and availability, with priority given to applicants from Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Host Organizers
WHITRAP Beijing
ICOMOS China
School of Archaeology and Museology of Peking University
Fujian Provincial Bureau of Cultural Heritage
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