Frequently Asked Questions:
General Information about the WHITRAP:
1. What is WHITRAP?
WHITRAP stands
for the
World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific
Region. The State of World Heritage in the Asia-Pacific
Region 2003 placed emphasis on the need for the capacity building and training
in the domains of traditional conservation techniques, management and tourism
plans, and monitoring mechanisms and risk preparedness. In addressing the
capacity-building need, the Government of the People’s Republic of China proposed, and got approval from the General Conference of UNESCO (at the 34th
Session in Paris, 2007) the establishment of the World Heritage Training and
Research Institute for the Asia and the Pacific Region.
2. What is the connection between WHITRAP and UNESCO?
WHITRAP is an institute under the
auspices of UNESCO and a non-profit training and research center.
3. What is WHITRAP’s mission?
The institute’s
mission is to strengthen implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention
in the Asia and the Pacific Region, by building the capacity of all those
involved with World Heritage site inscription, protection, conservation and
management.
4. What are WHITRAP’s objectives?
The
major objectives are: contribute to the achievement of a more balanced
geographical distribution of training and research institutions and activities
in World Heritage conservation; Increase the balanced representation of
Asia-Pacific properties on the World Heritage List; Promote better protection and
management of the World Heritage properties in the region; Raise awareness of
the World Heritage among the general public; Foster international collaboration
with UNESCO and other international and national bodies.
5. What are WHITRAP’s functions?
The major
functions are: execute education and training activities for site management;
undertake research on important regional World Heritage issues and
investigations of particular heritage resources; hold scientific seminars,
conferences and workshops relating to World Heritage; set up an accessible,
secure and reliable database for World Heritages in the region; collect and
disseminate relevant knowledge and information, and the outcomes of research
activities; promote collaborative programs in specific areas of World Heritage
conservation; encourage the development of a World Heritage site manager’s
regional network; facilitate the introduction of disciplines relating to World
Heritage conservation and other academic activities and colleges in the Asia
and the Pacific region.
6. Who is in charge of WHITRAP?
A
Governing Board consisting of 15 members is currently in charge. The Government
Board is chaired by H.E. Mr. Zhang Xinsheng, former Deputy Minister of
Education of China, and former Chairman of UNESCO Executive Board.
7. What programs does WHITRAP offer?
WHITRAP
mainly offers four categories of programs: training and education, research and
development, information and service, networking and partnerships.
8. What training and education activities does WHITRAP host?
The
institute hosts comprehensive training and education programs delivered in the
domains of conservation techniques, management planning and implementation,
monitoring and assessment, and risk management towards improved management of
the World Heritage. WHITRAP provides professional education programs, vacation
courses in World Heritage conservation and management, and raise all possible
financial support opportunities to expand its training and education
activities.
9. What research activities does WHITRAP provide?
The
institute provides a rich knowledge pool of better and innovative techniques
and policies specialized in the conservation and management of the World
Heritage properties in the Asia and the Pacific region. Scientific research and
technological development is always the backbone of WHITRAP for all the program
works. WHITRAP maintains a close contact with national, regional and
international partners to enhance joint efforts on key research and technical
issues, and its research and development findings are disseminated through well
established networks and knowledge management facilities.
10. What
informational service does WHITRAP provide?
The
institute maintains a comprehensive data port on the regional World Heritage
resources, and makes information more accessible to different groups of users
ranging from professionals, governmental officials, managers to technicians. The
data warehouse of the institute, linked with its regional networks, provides
effective information sharing and ensures all stakeholders’ easy access to the
datasets.
11. What
networking and partnerships does WHITRAP have?
The
institute aspires to build itself as an open platform for joint efforts in
World Heritage conservation. Networking and partnership are the most vital mechanisms
to successfully execute the programs. WHITRAP facilitates networks of universities,
research agencies in the region that would be engaged in World Heritage
conservation, and establishes and maintains innovative partnerships with key
stakeholders to strengthen and multiply the effectiveness and impact of our
networks.
12. What
is the functional body of WHITRAP?
WHITRAP
is governed by a Governing Board composed of representatives from major
international, regional and local agencies in World Heritage research,
education and governance. An Executive Committee of the Board is set up for
routine management of the Institute. The Secretariat, located in Beijing, is the organ in charge of the daily administration and management of the
institute, and the technical programs are implemented through its three
operational centers located in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou respectively.
13. What
is the concentration of each operational center?
Beijing center is hosted by Beijing University and it provides a solid base
for multidisciplinary research and training for World Heritage. Beijing Center is devoted to natural heritage conservation, archaeological excavation, site
management, cultural landscape management, and conservation policy.
Shanghai center is located in Tongji University. Shanghai center mainly
works on sustainable development of ancient towns and villages, and the
conservation of cultural heritage, including architectural sites, architectural
complexes, and cultural landscape.
Suzhou center, located in one of the classical gardens, is committed to
vacation training for the technicians and research on site management and
restoration techniques. Renowned for its classical architectures and
traditional techniques, the center provides practical experiences and criteria
for World Heritage conservation and management.
14. Where
can I find out more?
For more
information on current projects and areas of cooperation or how to become a
partner in the conservation of world heritage in the region, please contact:
WHITRAP Headquarter
East
Bld., Tan Siu Lin Centre for International Studies
Peking University, 5 Yiheyuan Lu
Haidian
District, Beijing
P.R.China,
100871
Tel:
+86-10-6275 7947/9
Fax:+86-10-6275
7433
E-mail:
info@whitrap.org