Experts call for list of looted Syrian heritage
Unesco meeting in Berlin focuses on plan for Syrian cultural heritage
Participants at a Unesco meeting in Berlin called for a comprehensive list of looted objects from Syria to be drawn up.
The two-day meeting, from 2-4 June, was held in Berlin to discuss the next steps of a plan to save Syria’s cultural heritage. Over 200 experts from across the world gathered to assess the damage that has been done by Islamic State, and develop methodologies for future protection.
A series of roundtable discussions were held to address damage assessment, mapping, legal and institutional frameworks, technical assistance, first aid for built heritage and raising awareness about all these issues.
The meeting will pave the way for Unesco to update its Action Plan for the Emergency Safeguarding of Syria’s Cultural Heritage, adopted during its first meeting on Syria in 2014.
The Berlin conference had three main objectives: exchange information on the condition of all Syrian heritage sites, find a consensus on initial priorities and emergency measures, and coordinate all actions and share a common vision.
Participants stressed the need for more initiatives in Syria and emphasised the need for increased resources and support from international and domestic sources.
Zoya Masoud, a cultural heritage expert, said that it was imperative to involve the young generation in the future planning of the conservation and rehabilitation of Syria’s heritage.
Masoud proposed setting up a mentoring system to bring young and established professionals together to aid the protection of cultural heritage.
Maria Böhmer, the minister of state for foreign affairs of Germany said: “The Berlin conference has given a very positive signal to lay the cultural foundations of a post-war Syrian order.”
The two-day meeting, from 2-4 June, was held in Berlin to discuss the next steps of a plan to save Syria’s cultural heritage. Over 200 experts from across the world gathered to assess the damage that has been done by Islamic State, and develop methodologies for future protection.
A series of roundtable discussions were held to address damage assessment, mapping, legal and institutional frameworks, technical assistance, first aid for built heritage and raising awareness about all these issues.
The meeting will pave the way for Unesco to update its Action Plan for the Emergency Safeguarding of Syria’s Cultural Heritage, adopted during its first meeting on Syria in 2014.
The Berlin conference had three main objectives: exchange information on the condition of all Syrian heritage sites, find a consensus on initial priorities and emergency measures, and coordinate all actions and share a common vision.
Participants stressed the need for more initiatives in Syria and emphasised the need for increased resources and support from international and domestic sources.
Zoya Masoud, a cultural heritage expert, said that it was imperative to involve the young generation in the future planning of the conservation and rehabilitation of Syria’s heritage.
Masoud proposed setting up a mentoring system to bring young and established professionals together to aid the protection of cultural heritage.
Maria Böhmer, the minister of state for foreign affairs of Germany said: “The Berlin conference has given a very positive signal to lay the cultural foundations of a post-war Syrian order.”