Australia ICOMOS
International Council on Monuments and Sites
o What is ICOMOS
o The Burra Charter
o The Burra Charter Review
o Participating in Australia ICOMOS
HELP Forum, 19 September 2013
What is ICOMOS?
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The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
is an association of 9,500 members in 110 national
committees throughout the world.
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It was established in 1964 by a resolution of UNESCO.
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It is the only global non-government organisation, dedicated
to promoting the application of theory, methodology and
scientific techniques to the conservation of cultural heritage
places.
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Many ICOMOS members participate in the organisation’s 27
International Scientific Committees.
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ICOMOS also has the responsibility of advising UNESCO on
World Heritage listed properties and their conservation.
Australia ICOMOS
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Australia formed a national chapter of ICOMOS in 1976.
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Australia ICOMOS is a non-government organisation.
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The Executive Committee co-ordinates a range of national/
state activities and contributes to ICOMOS internationally.
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Our mission - to lead cultural heritage conservation in
Australia by raising and maintaining standards, encouraging
debate and generating innovative ideas.
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Australia ICOMOS has over 600 members, including heritage
practitioners, planners, historians, educators, curators,
archaeologists, architects, interpretation specialists,
conservators, engineers, site managers and qualified
tradespeople.
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Tasmania currently has 24 members, but we know there are
more out there!
Australia ICOMOS
KEY STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
1. Conservation Philosophy, Policy and Practice
Ensure that Australia ICOMOS takes a leadership role in conservation
philosophy and practice for culturally significant places.
2. International Partnerships
Participate in the international arena, both within and beyond the
ICOMOS International family.
3. Education and Communication
Promote an understanding of the cultural significance of places and
raise conservation standards through education and communication
programs.
4. Advocacy
Inform and influence key decision-makers through the communication
of Australia ICOMOS’ aims and approaches to conservation philosophy
and practice.
5. Membership
Develop, maintain and support a broad-based membership through
effective administration.
The Burra Charter
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The Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of
Places of Cultural Significance 1999
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First endorsed in 1979, with updates in 1981 and 1988.
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This document guides the conservation of cultural heritage
places in Australia.
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The Burra Charter and its accompanying guidelines and
practice notes are considered best practice standard for
cultural heritage management in Australia.
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Formally endorsed by the Australian Heritage Council and a
number of states (NSW, Qld, Vic, and Tas).
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Fundamentally, the Charter advocates a cautious approach
to changing heritage places: do as much as necessary to
care for the place and to make it useable, but change it as
little as possible so that its cultural significance is retained.
The Burra Charter Process
• Investigate the place and its history.
• Assess and understand significance.
• Identify all the issues, constraints and
opportunities .
• Develop conservation policies.
• Prepare a management plan, define priorities and
actions.
• Manage the place and its values.
• Monitor and review.
Burra Charter Guidelines Review
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Review undertaken by Andrew Sneddon, Anthony Coupe,
David Young, Duncan Marshall, Sandy Blair, Chris Johnston,
Rachel Jackson and Alan Croker.
Consultation undertaken earlier this year with ICOMOS
membership, heritage agencies and NGOs.
Documents reviewed and revised:
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Burra Charter (Draft 2013)
Practice Note – Understanding and assessing cultural significance
Practice Note – Developing policy
Practice Note – Undertaking studies and reports
Practice Note – The Burra Charter and archaeological practice
Practice Note – The Burra Charter and Indigenous cultural heritage
management
Practice Note – Article 22: New work
Practice Note – Interpretation
The new Burra Charter and Practice Notes to be endorsed at
the AGM on 31st October 2013
Suite of new Practice Notes to be developed in 2014
Participating in Australia ICOMOS
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Range of membership types:
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Full International Member
Full International Member (Young Professional)
Associate Member
Associate Member – Retired/unwaged or Student
Student Member
Institutional Member
Benefits
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Weekly email news bulletin
Subscription to the Australia ICOMOS refereed journal Historic
Environment
Regular newsletters from ICOMOS headquarters in Paris
International ICOMOS membership card (FIM)
Opportunities to participate in national and international ICOMOS
activities including International Scientific Committees and advisory
committees
Professional networking opportunities
Discounts on ICOMOS publications, functions and conferences
Access to professional information through the members only section of
the website
Australia ICOMOS
2013 National Conference, Canberra
31 October – 3 November 2013
Conference Website: http://www.aicomos.com/2013-canberra-centenary/
HELP Forum, 19 September 2013