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A two-day capacity-building workshop was organized on 22 and 23 March to support the Department of Archaeology and heritage site authorities in effectively implementing the results and recommendations derived from the ISC-KV meetings and subsequently implementing the World Heritage Committee decisions.

The workshop was aligned with one of the six recommendations: capacity building provided by The International Scientific Committee for the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Property (ISC-KV) in 2023. ISC-KV is established to assist the Government of Nepal in the recovery and management of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Property.

The first day of the workshop provided guidance on six sector strategies – (i) Conservation Management Plan, (ii) Urban Planning, (iii) Subsurface Archaeology, (iv) Community and Sustainable Development, (v) Disaster Risk Management, and (vi) Visitor Management. Ms. Himanchuli Gurung, Chief of the Asia and the Pacific Unit at UNESCO World Heritage Centre, shared knowledge on the Regional Framework Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific (2023 – 2030) (APA Framework), which was adopted in the extended session of the 45th Session of the World Heritage Committee (Riadh, 2023), encouraging Nepal to disseminate the main outcomes of the periodic reporting exercise to the world heritage stakeholders and integrate them into national and local heritage policies and strategies, ensuring proper implementation of the World Heritage Convention. 

"This workshop has taught me various aspects of cultural heritage that need to be considered while working in heritage conservation and management. Earlier, we used to focus only on monuments. Public awareness, engaging various stakeholders including community and youth, and raising awareness are equally important."

Maju Singh Bhandari, Heritage Site Manager, CWC Member and Chief of Monument Conservation and Palace Maintenance Office of the Department of Archaeology at Patan Durbar Square

The second day focused on key concepts - value-based heritage assessment, conservation management plans, socio-economic revitalization for long-term conservation and management of Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Property. Moderated by International Expert, Ms. Catherine Forbes, this was complemented by group works and case studies, including a site-wise (monument zone level) mapping exercise on priority setting of relevant and applicable actions of the Regional APA framework, while focusing on sustainable development strategy. Facilitated by two International experts - Prof. Yukio Nishimura and Ms. Catherine Forbes - and two national experts - Dr. Kai Weise and Mr. Bhim Nepal, the workshop was attended by 39 participants [18 male and 21 female] representing site managers of the seven component sites of Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Property; the local authorities (4 municipalities), Guthi Corporation under the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty; the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction under the Ministry of Urban Development and Planning as well as several members of ICOMOS Nepal. 

"Our cultural heritage is our identity; we must not forget it. This workshop has enhanced my understanding of the importance of heritage, its values, and conservation needs."

Dhirendra Yadav, Engineer, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, Ministry of Urban Development

In the post-event survey, over fifty percent of the respondents expressed their expectations toward future follow-up trainings. This noteworthy response underscores the enthusiasm and commitment demonstrated by participants in enhancing their capacity for the conservation and management of World Heritage sites.

Supported by the Oriental Cultural Heritage Protection Alliance, the workshop was organized by UNESCO in close collaboration with the Department of Archaeology.

URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/conservation-and-management-heritage-sites-strengthening-capacity-heritage-managers?hub=66942