International Council on Monuments and Sites
![]() |
|
Founded | 1965 |
---|---|
Type | Professional Body |
Location | |
Services | Conservation and protection of cultural heritage places around the world |
Key people
|
Gustavo Araoz (President); Kirsti Kovanen (Secretary General); Laura Robinson (Treasurer General); Vacant (Director General) |
Website | www |
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS; French: Conseil international des monuments et des sites) is a professional association that works for the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places around the world. Now headquartered in Paris, ICOMOS was founded in 1965 in Warsaw as a result of the Venice Charter of 1964, and offers advice to UNESCO on World Heritage Sites.
The idea behind ICOMOS dates to the Athens Conference on the restoration of historic buildings in 1931, organized by the International Museums Office. The Athens Charter of 1931 introduced the concept of international heritage. In 1964, the Second Congress of Architects and Specialists of Historic Buildings, meeting in Venice, adopted 13 resolutions. The first created the International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites, better known as Venice Charter; the second, put forward by UNESCO, created ICOMOS to carry out this charter.
ICOMOS currently has over 9,500 individual members in 144 countries, 110 national committees and 28 international scientific committees.[1] With rare exceptions, each member must be qualified in the field of conservation and a practicing landscape architect, architect, archaeologist, anthropologist, town planner, engineer, administrator of heritage, historian, art historian, palaeontologist or archivist.
ICOMOS is a partner in the International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS), which works to protect the world's cultural heritage threatened by wars and natural disasters.
Contents
ICOMOS structure[edit]
ICOMOS is composed of its national committees (NCs), to which individuals and institutions apply for membership. In addition to the national committees, ICOMOS has a series of international scientific committees (ISCs), in which experts in a certain field of activity within the context of heritage conservation exchange views and debate.[2]
The organization is headed by a president, five vice-presidents, a secretary-general and a treasurer all directly elected by the general assembly of the organization. 12 additional members are also elected by the General Assembly into the Executive Committee and five further members are co-opted into the executive board in order to represent regions of the world or areas of expertise that were not part of the executive committee following the elections. Ex officio members of the executive committee are the president of the advisory committee and the previous presidents of ICOMOS, who attend in advisory capacity. The executive committee is the executive body of ICOMOS.
The advisory committee is composed of the chairpersons of the national committees, the chairpersons of the international scientific committees and the president of ICOMOS as an ex officio member.[3] The advisory committee was given the task to advise and make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Executive Committee on matters which concern policy and programme priorities.
National committees[edit]
National committees are subsidiary organizations created in the countries which are members of UNESCO. They bring together individual and institutional members and offer them a framework for discussion and an exchange of information. ICOMOS has national committees in 108 countries as of August 2015.[4] Each national committee adopts its own rules of procedure and elaborates its own program according to the goals and aims of ICOMOS.
- ICOMOS-UK - United Kingdom National Committee
- ICOMOS Ireland - Ireland National Committee
- USICOMOS - National Committee United States of America
- Australia ICOMOS - National Committee Australia
International committees[edit]
[5] Usually known as "international scientific committees" (ISCs), these entities focus on specialised areas of heritage conservation and are made up of members of the organisation drawn from those specialist areas. The scientific programmes of the organisation are coordinated by the 'scientific council" made up of the presidents of the ISCs. The following ISCs operate within ICOMOS:[6]
- Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (ISCARSAH)
- Archaeological Heritage Management (ICAHM)
- Cultural Landscapes ICOMOS-IFLA (ISCCL)
- Cultural Routes (CIIC)
- Cultural Tourism (ICTC)
- Earthen Architectural Heritage (ISCEAH)
- Economics of Conservation (ISEC)
- Fortifications and Military Heritage (IcoFort)
- Heritage Documentation (CIPA)
- Historic Towns and Villages (CIVVIH)
- Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites (ICIP)
- Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH)
- Legal, Administrative and Financial Issues (ICLAFI)
- Mural (Wall) Painting
- International Polar Heritage Committee (IPHC)
- Risk Preparedness (ICORP)
- Rock Art (CAR)
- Shared Built Heritage (ISCSBH)
- Stained Glass (ISCV)
- Stone (ISCS)
- Theory and Philosophy of Conservation and Restoration
- International Training Committee (CIF)
- Underwater Cultural Heritage (ICUCH)
- Vernacular Architecture (CIAV)
- Wood (IWC)
- 20th-Century Heritage (ISC20C)
ICOMOS charters and doctrinal texts[edit]
In the tradition of the Athens and Venice Charters, ICOMOS has in the years since its formation developed and adopted a number of other charters and doctrinal texts which provide guidance to heritage conservation professionals in their work. Most such documents are created by the international committees of the organisation and thereafter adopted by the triennial General Assembly. The texts each address a specific area of professional practice in the heritage conservation professions. Following the 17th ICOMOS General Assembly held in Paris in November 2011, the list of charters is as follows:[7]
- Historic Gardens (Florence Charter) 1981
- Charter for the Conservation of Historic Towns and Urban Areas (Washington Charter) 1987
- Charter for the Protection and Management of Archaeological Heritage 1990
- Charter on the Protection and Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage 1996
- International Cultural Tourism Charter - Managing Tourism at Places of Heritage Significance 1999
- Principles for the Preservation of Timber Structures 1999
- Charter on the Built Vernacular Heritage 1999
- ICOMOS Charter - Principles for the Analysis, Conservation and Structural Restoration of Architectural Heritage 2003
- ICOMOS Principles for the Preservation and Conservation-Restoration of Wall Paintings 2003
- ICOMOS Charter on Cultural Routes 2008
- ICOMOS Charter for the Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites (also known as the 'Ename Charter') 2008
- Joint ICOMOS – TICCIH Principles for the Conservation of Industrial Heritage Sites, Structures, Areas and Landscapes 2011
- The Valletta Principles for the Safeguarding and Management of Historic Cities, Towns and Urban Areas 2011 (Supersedes the Washington Charter)
In addition to the above there are fourteen other doctrinal texts. These include the "Nara Document".
Many of the national committees of ICOMOS have adopted their own charters which set standards for heritage conservation practice at national level.[7]
ICOMOS and the World Heritage Convention[edit]
In 1972, ICOMOS was named by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention as one of the three formal advisory bodies to the World Heritage Committee, along with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). As the professional and scientific adviser to the committee on all aspects of the cultural heritage, ICOMOS is responsible for the evaluation of all nominations of cultural properties made to the World Heritage List with the criteria laid down by the World Heritage Committee. In addition to the basic criterion of “outstanding universal value,” ICOMOS evaluates nominations for aspects related to authenticity, management, and conservation as specified in the World Heritage Convention.
The evaluation of nominations involves consultation between the wide-ranging expertise represented by the organization’s membership and its national and scientific committees. Members are also sent on expert missions to carry out on-site evaluations of nominated properties. This extensive consultation results in the preparation of detailed recommendations that are submitted to the World Heritage Committee at its annual meetings.
ICOMOS is also involved, through its International Secretariat and its national and scientific committees, in the preparation of reports on the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. It advises the UNESCO World Heritage Centre on requests for technical assistance received from states that are party to (i.e. have ratified) the World Heritage Convention. ICOMOS maintains a full archive of nominations and reports at the documentation centre at its Paris headquarters.
Nara Document on Authenticity[edit]
In November 1994, at the Nara Conference on Authenticity, ICOMOS published the Nara Document on Authenticity, which addresses the need for a broader understanding of cultural diversity and cultural heritage in conservation efforts involving cultural heritage sites.[8][9]
Piero Gazzola award[edit]
In 1979, ICOMOS instituted its highest award, named after its first president, Piero Gazzola, to laud the life-time achievements of one of its members. The prize is awarded every three years, and comprises a commemorative medal, a diploma and 10,000 US dollars.[10]
List of awardees[edit]
- 1981 – Jean Trouvelot[11]
- 1984 – Stanislaw Lorentz[11]
- 1987 – Masuru Sekino[12]
- 1990 – Gertrud Tripp[11]
- 1993 – Bernard Feilden[13]
- 1996 – Ernest Allan Connally[11]
- 1999 – Roland Silva[13]
- 2002 – Cevat Erder[14]
- 2005 – Ann Webster Smith[15]
- 2008 – Carmen Añón Feliu[13]
- 2011 – Nobuo Ito[13]
- 2014 – Henry Cleere[16]
List of ICOMOS General Assemblies and Presidents[edit]
Nr. | Time | General Assembly | Term | President | Secretary General | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
19. | 2017 | Delhi | ![]() |
2017-2020 | ||||
18. | 2014 | Florence | ![]() |
2014-2017 | Gustavo Araoz | ![]() |
Kirsti Kovanen | ![]() |
17. | 2011 | Paris | ![]() |
2011-2014 | Gustavo Araoz | ![]() |
Kirsti Kovanen | ![]() |
16. | 2008 | Québec | ![]() |
2008-2011 | Gustavo Araoz | ![]() |
Bénédicte Selfslagh | ![]() |
15. | 2005 | Xi'an | ![]() |
2005-2008 | Michael Petzet | ![]() |
Dinu Bumbaru | ![]() |
14. | 2003 | Victoria Falls | ![]() |
|||||
13. | 2002 | Madrid | ![]() |
2002-2005 | Michael Petzet | ![]() |
Dinu Bumbaru | ![]() |
12. | 1999 | Mexico City | ![]() |
1999-2002 | Michael Petzet | ![]() |
Jean-Louis Luxen | ![]() |
11. | 1996 | Sofia | ![]() |
1996-1999 | Roland Silva | ![]() |
Jean-Louis Luxen | ![]() |
10. | 1993 | Colombo | ![]() |
1993-1996 | Roland Silva | ![]() |
Jean-Louis Luxen | ![]() |
9. | 1990 | Lausanne | ![]() |
1990-1993 | Roland Silva | ![]() |
Herb Stovel | ![]() |
8. | 1987 | Washington D.C. | ![]() |
1987-1990 | Roberto di Stefano | ![]() |
Helmut Stelzer | ![]() |
7. | 1984 | Rostok | ![]() |
1984-1987 | Michel Parent | ![]() |
Abdelaziz Daoulatli | ![]() |
6. | 1981 | Rome | ![]() |
1981-1984 | Michel Parent | ![]() |
Abdelaziz Daoulatli | ![]() |
5. | 1978 | Moscow | ![]() |
1978-1981 | Raymond Lemaire | ![]() |
Ernest Allen Connaly | ![]() |
4. | 1975 | Rothenburg ob der Tauber | ![]() |
1975-1978 | Raymond Lemaire | ![]() |
Ernest Allen Connaly | ![]() |
3. | 1972 | Budapest | ![]() |
1972-1975 | Piero Gazzola | ![]() |
Raymond Lemaire | ![]() |
2. | 1969 | Oxford | ![]() |
1969-1972 | Piero Gazzola | ![]() |
Raymond Lemaire | ![]() |
1. | 1965 | Cracow | ![]() |
1965-1969 | Piero Gazzola | ![]() |
Raymond Lemaire | ![]() |
References[edit]
- ^ "Introducing ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites". www.icomos.org. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
- ^ "ICOMOS Statutes, adopted by the Vth General Assembly on 22 May 1978 in Moscow" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- ^ Article 12,ICOMOS Statutes, adopted by the Vth General Assembly on 22 May 1978 in Moscow
- ^ "Members of the Advisory Committee" (PDF). International.icomos.org. Retrieved 2015-08-05.
- ^ Article 14, ICOMOS Statutes, adopted by the Vth General Assembly on 22 May 1978 in Moscow
- ^ "List of International Scientific Committees". ICOMOS. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
- ^ a b "CHARTERS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF ICOMOS". ICOMOS. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
- ^ "Cultural Heritage Policy Documents: The Nara Document on Authenticity (1994)". The Getty Conservation Institute. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
- ^ "Nara Document on Authenticity, Experts meeting". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
- ^ Awards, honors & prizes: International and foreign. 2. Gale Group. 2001. p. 312. ISBN 978-0-7876-3405-6.
- ^ a b c d "Dr E.A. Connally honored by the International Preservation Community" (PDF). Cultural Resource Management. 19 (9): 44. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^ Sacré, Dirk; Tournoy, Gilbert, eds. (2000). Myricae: Essays on Neo-Latin Literature in Memory of Josef IJsewijn. Leuven University. p. 98. ISBN 978-90-5867-054-0.
- ^ a b c d Rössler, Mechtild; Cameron, Christina (2013). Many Voices, One Vision: The Early Years of the World Heritage Convention. Ashgate. ISBN 978-1-4094-8477-6.
- ^ Madeleine, Regan, ed. (2005). "US/ICOMOS advises World's Top Heritage Preservation Prize Awarded In China" (PDF). e-Newsletter. World Archaeological Council. 7: 47. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^ "Ann W. Smith, 81; World-Renowned Preservationist". The Washington Post. April 28, 2006.
- ^ "Henry Cleere awarded prestigious Gazzola Prize" (Press release). UCL Institute of Architecture. January 27, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
- ^ ICOMOS Past Presidents. Retrieved 12/12/2015.
- ^ ICOMOS General Assemblies. Retrieved 12/12/2015.
External links[edit]
- Official website
- List of National Committees
- ICOMOS Database, unesco.org
- Friends of World Heritage Non-profit organization that identifies projects that support local tourism enterprises that can help alleviate poverty and conserve World Heritage sites.
- The Nara Document on Authenticity (1994)