Format: Paper presentations with discussion
Convenors:
Fatiha Polin, CEO, Perceive, Bangladesh, fatihapolin@gmail.com
Miki Okadera, Fukuoka Prefectural Government, Japan, mikiokadera@gmail.com
Patiphol Yodsurang, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand, patiphol.y@ku.th
To conserve heritage it is essential to engage with the local community. Currently, at World Heritage sites, it is not only the heritage itself that needs to be protected, but also the cultural heritage, including the intangible heritage, nature and the environment of the area where the heritage is located. However, it is not easy to engage with communities that are made up of diverse people. Therefore, we believe that it is necessary to engage with the young generation, who will be responsible for the future of the community. In this session, we will present case studies of World Heritage education initiatives from Bangladesh, Japan, and Thailand, among others. We will cover a wide range of initiatives, from primary to higher, from general to professional education, and from theory to practical experience. We will look at how the younger generation is learning about heritage and becoming a bridge between the community and heritage. Through these examples, we will explore ways to connect heritage and local communities and preserve heritage for the future.
Papers:
Community Involvement in Cultural Heritage Preservation: The Case of Sukur Cultural Landscape, Nigeria
Akinbowale Akintayo, Dept of Archaeology, University of York, UK
Discussions about the role of local communities in cultural heritage preservation have gained prominence in the last few decades. Rather than being seen and treated as a passive member whose input does not matter in such discussions, there has been a paradigm shift and nowadays, local communities have been regarded as an active agent whose role in protecting cultural heritage sites cannot be overemphasised. This has led to the concept of co-creation, where local communities are given pride of place in the preservation of their heritage in collaboration with major stakeholders, such as government establishments, researchers, and academics.
This paper reflects on the efforts of the inhabitants of Sukur Cultural Landscape (SCL) in Nigeria to preserve their heritage. In a constantly changing world where the traditional form of architecture is becoming extinct, the paper assesses the challenges being faced by this agrarian community in preserving the legacies of their ancestors over the past 900 years. It focuses on preservation efforts of cultural features for which SCL was inscribed into the World Heritage List. Special reference is made to house architecture, ritual practices, festivals, and the attendant challenges being faced in ensuring their preservation in the face of terrorism, climate change and urbanisation.
Youth as Catalysts: Bridging Communities and Heritage in Thailand
Patiphol Yodsurang, Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Youth are pivotal in bridging the gaps between communities and their cultural heritage, driving sustainable heritage practices through innovative approaches. This paper highlights the transformative role of young people in integrating traditional knowledge with modern technologies, such as digital storytelling and augmented reality, to enhance the visibility and appreciation of lesser-known archaeological heritage sites. These initiatives empower local economies, foster intergenerational collaboration, and position youth as catalysts for inclusive heritage management within the heritage ecosystem.
Using case studies from Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the paper explores how youth engage in sustainable tourism practices like canal cleanups, storytelling, and cultural mapping. These efforts reduce congestion at major sites, highlight lesser-known areas, and enrich the broader heritage-scape. By leveraging digital tools, youths reinterpret and share heritage narratives, fostering community pride and creating inclusive stories that resonate across generations.
This paper underscores the dynamic relationship between communities, heritage sites, and the environment within the heritage ecosystem. Through youth-led projects in community-based tourism, conservation, and participatory archaeology, this paper invites a global dialogue on engaging diverse groups to preserve, interpret, and sustainably manage archaeological and cultural heritage.
Embracing Heritage: From Insight to Impact
Renu Maharjan, Hanumandhoka Palace Museum Development Committee, Nepal
Heritage education in Nepal remains largely confined to textbooks, leaving young generations disconnected from their cultural roots. To bridge this gap, Hanumandhoka Palace Museum has taken proactive initiatives to cultivate heritage awareness among children and communities. By revitalising intangible cultural practices linked to the palace—such as Indra Jatra, Kalash Yatra, Basanta Shrawan, and various Khat Jatras—the museum ensures their continuity. Local communities of Kathmandu Valley benefit directly from these efforts. Heritage education programs have been introduced in schools, integrating classroom lessons with guided site visits to Hanumandhoka Palace. Additionally, training programs equip local guides with the knowledge to engage both residents and international visitors. Recognising the need to sustain religious and cultural traditions, financial support has been extended to hereditary practitioners, such as palace priests (pujaris) and ritual performers, ensuring the transmission of their knowledge to future generations. A pressing concern is the preservation of oral traditions, particularly the sacred songs performed at specific times of the year. With aging performers, the museum has initiated training programs to pass these traditions to younger generations. These efforts reflect a holistic approach to heritage education—ensuring that Nepal’s rich cultural heritage remains a living, evolving legacy.
The World Heritage Serial Properties – An Opportunity to Connect Local Communities. A Case of Romania
Prof. Dr Sergiu Musteata, UNESCO UNTITWIN Network, Valahia University of Targoviste, Romania
Operational Guidelines introduced the concept of the World Heritage serial nomination or serial property for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention in 1980. It has been revised over the last four decades, and it is more detailed and specific. UNESCO published some recommendations works to help state parties prepare nominations, including serial properties (Preparing World Heritage Nominations 2010). However, the issue of the WHSP is modestly debated in the scientific literature. Over three decades have passed since Romania signed the World Heritage Convention, and its implementation leaves much to be desired from several perspectives. In Romania, from 11 properties, five are national cultural serial properties and one transnational natural serial property. My study is actual from several perspectives, especially in the context of developing the Code of Cultural Heritage and the National Strategy on the Protection of Historical Monuments in Romania. The serial property requires a unique approach because of its administrative position and specific management needs. Therefore, in my presentation, I will discuss the opportunities for collaboration between local communities created by serial sites in Romania, presenting some examples of good practices and the management issues that arise in the context of the specificity of serial sites.
Sustaining Taxila’s Buddhist Legacy: The Role of Education in Resolving Heritage Ownership Debates
Dr Muhammad Tehmash Khan, Archivist, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Dr Shakir Ullah, Chairman/Professor, Dept of Archaeology, Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan
Taxila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pakistan, is a contested space where archaeologists, religious groups, local communities and the state stake claims over its rich cultural past. However, the younger generation remains largely disconnected from this heritage, risking a loss of historical consciousness and sustainable conservation efforts. This paper explores how heritage education can serve as a bridge between local communities and heritage conservation, fostering a sense of shared ownership and identity among youth.
By analysing school-based learning, community-driven initiatives, and digital engagement, this study highlights innovative strategies to connect young people with Taxila’s past. Programs such as heritage ambassadors, storytelling workshops, and augmented reality (AR) tours can transform youth from passive observers into active stewards of their cultural legacy. Also, challenges such as language barriers, resource limitations, and economic pressures will be addressed, alongside solutions like public-private partnerships and youth advocacy networks.
In the final analysis, this paper argues that empowering the next generation through heritage education is essential for sustaining Taxila’s legacy, ensuring that the site is not only preserved but also meaningfully integrated into the lives of its local communities. This approach aligns with broader efforts to decolonise heritage narratives and foster inclusive conservation practices.
Aiming to Read the Past Together with the People: The Case Study of the Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region
Miki Okadera, Assistant Counsellor, World Heritage Division, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
The Sacred Island of Okinoshima was inscribed the World Heritage Site in 2017. Academic excavations at the Okinoshima ritual site were conducted from 1954 to 1971. All of the 80,000 ritual artefacts excavated were designated as national treasures. The island is off-limits to humans due to taboos, so it is not possible to conduct on-site surveys. Therefore, it is not easy to study both the remains and the artefacts.
We have created a digital archive of photographs and records of the excavation of the Okinoshima ritual site, as well as interviews with the experts involved in the excavation. By analysing these materials, it will be possible to re-examine the sites that have been investigated in the past, for example, by attempting to reconstruct the remains from the time of the excavation that cannot be seen today through photogrammetric surveying.
Continued research is necessary to communicate the value of archaeological sites that are difficult for the public to understand. But how can we make the archaeological sites that have not yet been documented as cultural resources available for research? In this case study, we would like to explore this point.
Engaging Local Communities and Young Generation in the Conservation of World Heritage Sites in Bangladesh
Fatiha Polin, Founder & CEO, Perceive, Bangladesh
Doujita Kasfi, Architect & Researcher, Perceive, Bangladesh
The inclusion of communities as one of the five Strategic Objectives of the World Heritage Convention, reflects a need for community engagement at all stages of the World Heritage preservation process that link conservation and sustainable development. It is also crucial to engage communities, as the protection of World Heritage Sites goes beyond safeguarding the physical properties and extends to the intangible elements, nature, and the environment of the surrounding areas; which are often challenging. In this situation, the younger generation can play a vital role to build connections among heritage, professionals and the community. Through a review of case studies, site visits, hand-on workshops with local communities and existing models of community-based conservation, the paper highlights successful strategies for fostering active participation, raising awareness, and ensuring long-term protection. The findings suggest that when intergenerational bondings are nourished, communities are empowered and educated, they become key stakeholders in the preservation efforts, balancing heritage conservation with socioeconomic development. The paper recommends a collaborative approach that strengthens community engagement in heritage site management to safeguard the rich cultural and natural heritage of Bangladesh for the future generations.
We Connect Makli: The Role of Youth and Local Community in Managing Disaster and Communal Conflict
Zahida Quadri, Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Dept, Government of Sindh- Pakistan; ICOMOS Pakistan; International Council of Museums
Makli is one of the largest necropolises in the world, believed to be the burial site of around 125,000 saints, located in Sindh, Pakistan. It served as the capital of lower Sindh until the eighteenth century and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. The site embodies both tangible and intangible heritage, fostering a strong emotional connection within the community. However, it has encountered challenges related to ownership disputes. “We Connect Makli” was launched with support from ICCROM FAR and the ALIPH Foundation, aiming to involve government entities and the community in mitigating conflicts of interest and establishing a First Aiders taskforce for responding emergencies, and conflicts. This project provided a platform for advocacy and education on disaster management, fostering dialogue among various actors and stakeholders. It represented a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s history, illustrating how heritage can facilitate connections among people and institutions in times of conflicts, and disasters. Makli has evolved into a hub for collaboration among communities, government, international heritage organisations, and custodians, transcending differences in age, gender, and religion. It effectively promotes connectivity among conflicting parties and has created a trusted environment. The initiative achieved four Sustainable Development Goals: 17, 13, 5, and 16.