Brian I. Daniels, Ph.D.
Director of Research and Programs
Penn Cultural Heritage Center
University of Pennsylvania Museum
UNESCO can author:
1. Conventions.
2. Declarations.
3. Recommendations.
1970 UNESCO
Convention
1972 UNESCO
Convention
2003 UNESCO
Convention
World Heritage Convention by the
numbers:
1972 UNESCO
Convention
1031 properties
163 states parties
31 transborder
802 cultural
197 natural
32 mixed
2 delisted
Present World Heritage Criteria:
(i)
to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;
(ii)
to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or
within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or
technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;
(iii)
to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a
civilization which is living or which has disappeared;
(iv)
to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or
technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in
human history;
Present World Heritage Criteria:
(v)
to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or
sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction
with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the
impact of irreversible change;
(vi)
to be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas,
or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal
significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be
used in conjunction with other criteria);
(vii)
to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural
beauty and aesthetic importance;
Present World Heritage Criteria:
(viii)
to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history,
including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the
development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic
features;
(ix)
to be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and
biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh
water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals;
(x)
to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ
conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened
species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or
conservation.
A World Heritage Site Typology,
after Labadi (2012):
1. Ratification of already well
known sites;
1972 UNESCO
Convention
2. Promotion of qualifying sites for
development aims;
3. Selection of sites at risk.
CASE STUDY:
Statue of Liberty, USA
(1984)
Criteria:
(i) (vi)
to represent a masterpiece
of human creative genius.
CASE STUDY:
Statue of Liberty, USA
(1984)
Made in Paris by the French
sculptor Bartholdi, in
collaboration with Gustave
Eiffel (who was responsible for
the steel framework), this
towering monument to liberty
was a gift from France on the
centenary of American
independence. Inaugurated in
1886, the sculpture stands at
the entrance to New York
Harbour and has welcomed
millions of immigrants to the
United States ever since.
CASE STUDY:
San Antonio Missions,
USA
(2015)
Criterion:
(ii)
to exhibit an important
interchange of human
values, over a span of time
or within a cultural area of
the world, on developments
in architecture or
technology, monumental
arts, town-planning or
landscape design.
CASE STUDY:
San Antonio Missions, USA
(2015)
The site encompasses a group
of five frontier mission
complexes … and illustrate the
Spanish Crown’s efforts to
colonize, evangelize and defend
the northern frontier of New
Spain. The San Antonio
Missions are also an example of
the interweaving of Spanish and
Coahuiltecan cultures,
illustrated by a variety of
features, including the
decorative elements of
churches[.]
CASE STUDY:
Chaco Culture, USA
(1987)
Criterion:
(iii)
to bear a unique or at least
exceptional testimony to a
cultural tradition or to a
civilization which is living or
which has disappeared
CASE STUDY:
Chaco Culture, USA
(1987)
Chaco Canyon, a major centre
of ancestral Pueblo culture
between 850 and 1250, was a
focus for ceremonials, trade
and political activity for the
prehistoric Four Corners area.
Chaco is remarkable for its
monumental public and
ceremonial buildings and its
distinctive architecture – it has
an ancient urban ceremonial
centre that is unlike anything
constructed before or since.
CASE STUDY:
Monticello and the
University of Virginia in
Charlottesville, USA
(1987)
Criteria:
(i) (iv) (vi)
to be an outstanding
example of a type of
building, architectural or
technological ensemble or
landscape which illustrates
(a) significant stage(s) in
human history.
CASE STUDY:
Monticello and the University
of Virginia in Charlottesville,
USA
(1987)
Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826),
author of the American Declaration
of Independence and third
president of the United States, was
also a talented architect of
neoclassical buildings. …
Jefferson's use of an architectural
vocabulary based upon classical
antiquity symbolizes both the
aspirations of the new American
republic as the inheritor of
European tradition [.]
CASE STUDY:
?
Criterion:
(v)
to be an outstanding
example of a traditional
human settlement, landuse, or sea-use which is
representative of a culture
(or cultures), or human
interaction with the
environment especially
when it has become
vulnerable under the impact
of irreversible change.
CASE STUDY:
Independence Hall, USA
(1979)
Criterion:
(vi)
to be directly or tangibly
associated with events or
living traditions, with ideas,
or with beliefs, with artistic
and literary works of
outstanding universal
significance.
CASE STUDY:
Independence Hall, USA
(1979)
The Declaration of Independence
(1776) and the Constitution of the
United States (1787) were both
signed in this building in
Philadelphia. The universal
principles of freedom and
democracy set forth in these
documents are of fundamental
importance to American history
and have also had a profound
impact on law-makers around the
world.
CASE STUDY:
Carlsbad Caverns
National Park, USA
(1995)
Criteria:
(vii) (viii)
to contain superlative
natural phenomena or areas
of exceptional natural
beauty and aesthetic
importance.
CASE STUDY:
Carlsbad Caverns National
Park, USA
(1995)
This karst landscape in the
state of New Mexico
comprises over 80 recognized
caves. They are outstanding
not only for their size but also
for the profusion, diversity and
beauty of their mineral
formations. Lechuguilla Cave
stands out from the others,
providing an underground
laboratory where geological
and biological processes can
be studied in a pristine setting.
CASE STUDY:
Grand Canyon National
Park, USA
(1979)
Criteria:
(vii) (viii) (ix) (x)
to be outstanding examples
representing major stages of
earth's history, including the
record of life, significant ongoing geological processes in
the development of landforms,
or significant geomorphic or
physiographic features.
CASE STUDY:
Grand Canyon National
Park, USA
(1979)
Carved out by the Colorado
River, the Grand Canyon (nearly
1,500 m deep) is the most
spectacular gorge in the world.
Located in the state of Arizona,
it cuts across the Grand Canyon
National Park. Its horizontal
strata retrace the geological
history of the past 2 billion
years. There are also prehistoric
traces of human adaptation to a
particularly harsh environment.
CASE STUDY:
Great Smoky Mountains
National Park, USA
(1983)
Criteria:
(vii) (viii) (ix) (x)
to be outstanding examples
representing significant ongoing ecological and biological
processes in the evolution and
development of terrestrial,
fresh water, coastal and marine
ecosystems and communities of
plants and animals.
CASE STUDY:
Great Smoky Mountains
National Park, USA
(1983)
[T]his exceptionally beautiful
park is home to more than 3,500
plant species, including almost
as many trees (130 natural
species) as in all of Europe.
Many endangered animal
species are also found there,
including what is probably the
greatest variety of salamanders
in the world. Since the park is
relatively untouched, it gives an
idea of temperate flora before
the influence of humankind.
CASE STUDY:
Yellowstone National Park,
USA
(1978)
Criteria:
(vii) (viii) (ix) (x)
to contain the most important
and significant natural habitats
for in-situ conservation of
biological diversity, including
those containing threatened
species of outstanding universal
value from the point of view of
science or conservation.
.
CASE STUDY:
Yellowstone National Park,
USA
(1978)
Yellowstone contains half of all
the world's known geothermal
features, with more than 10,000
examples. It also has the world's
largest concentration of geysers
(more than 300 geysers, or two
thirds of all those on the
planet). Established in 1872,
Yellowstone is equally known
for its wildlife, such as grizzly
bears, wolves, bison, and
wapitis [elk].
CASE STUDY:
TRANSBORDER
Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias /
Glacier Bay / TatshenshiniAlsek (1979)
Criteria:
(vii) (viii) (ix) (x)
These parks comprise an
impressive complex of glaciers
and high peaks on both sides of
the border between Canada and
the United States. The
spectacular natural landscapes
are home to many grizzly bears,
caribou and Dall's sheep. The
site contains the largest nonpolar icefield in the world.
CASE STUDY:
DANGER
Everglades National Park
(1979)
Criteria:
(viii)(ix)(x)
This site at the southern tip of
Florida has been called 'a river
of grass flowing imperceptibly
from the hinterland into the
sea'. The exceptional variety of
its water habitats has made it a
sanctuary for a large number of
birds and reptiles, as well as for
threatened species such as the
manatee.
What is the connection between world heritage and
indigenous peoples?
Global Indigenous Movement
Definitions of “Indigenous”:
United Nations Working Group on Indigenous
Populations:
• Any group whose leadership represents
themselves as such.
United States:
• “Federally recognized tribes” (566)
Canada:
• “Recognized First Nation tribe or band”
(630+)
Experience of Indigenous peoples:
• ~350 million people
• Root contemporary identities in the idea of
autochthony
• Often share the experience of colonization
and living in a post-settler society
• History of forced assimilation,
missionization, and land loss
• Subjects of study for anthropology and
archaeology
History of the Global Indigenous Movement:
• Achievements:
• Increased awareness on the global stage
and in international policy documents
• Possibly greater recognition within
national states
• Solidarity in shared international protest
• UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples
Summary Points:
• Adopted in 2007.
• A Declaration by the United Nations General
Assembly.
• Non-binding international law.
• UN Statement: "an important standard for
the treatment of indigenous peoples that
will undoubtedly be a significant tool
towards eliminating human rights violations
against the planet's 370 million indigenous
people and assisting them in combating
discrimination and marginalisation."
Article 31:
1. Indigenous peoples have the right to
maintain, control, protect and develop
their cultural heritage, traditional
knowledge and traditional cultural
expressions, as well as the manifestations
of their sciences, technologies and
cultures, including human and genetic
resources, seeds, medicines, knowledge of
the properties of fauna and flora, oral
traditions, literatures, designs, sports and
traditional games and visual and
performing arts. They also have the right to
maintain, control, protect and develop
their intellectual property over such
cultural heritage, traditional knowledge,
and traditional cultural expressions.
Votes in favor:
• 143 countries
Votes against:
• Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United
States
Abstentions:
• Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi,
Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian
Federation, Samoa and Ukraine
Pro:
• Raises awareness about the plight of
indigenous peoples and their human rights.
Critiques:
• Assigns indigenous peoples a “slot” that
may prevent their full inclusion within the
body politic of a national state.
• Presumes a primordial, timeless status for
indigenous peoples and their cultural
traditions.
• Tendency to assign the Declaration more
legal importance than it actually holds.
Case Study:
Papahānaumokuākea
Inscribed as a WHS in 2010
Criteria:
(iii)(vi)(viii)(ix)(x)
Papahānaumokuākea is a vast and
isolated linear cluster of small, low
lying islands and atolls, with their
surrounding ocean, roughly 250 km
to the northwest of the main
Hawaiian Archipelago[.] The area
has deep cosmological and
traditional significance for living
Native Hawaiian culture, as an
ancestral environment …
Case Study:
Papahānaumokuākea
… as an embodiment of the
Hawaiian concept of kinship
between people and the natural
world, and as the place where it is
believed that life originates and to
where the spirits return after death.
On two of the islands, Nihoa and
Makumanamana, there are
archaeological remains relating to
pre-European settlement and use.
Much of the monument is made up
of pelagic and deepwater habitats,
with notable features such as
seamounts and submerged banks,
extensive coral reefs and lagoons.
Case Study: World Heritage Indigenous
Peoples Council of Experts
• In 2000, World Indigenous Peoples Forum
held in conjunction with 24th session of
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee
• Australia, Canada, and New Zealand
proposed the World Heritage Indigenous
Peoples Council of Experts (WHIPCOE)
• Response to indigenous concerns about
a lack of involvement in the
development and implementation of
laws, policies, and plans for ancestral
lands composing World Heritage
properties
Case Study: World Heritage Indigenous
Peoples Council of Experts
• Thailand and Zimbabwe raise initial
objections
• Working group proposed to include
indigenous representatives from Australia,
Belize, Canada, Ecuador, New Zealand, the
United States, and the secretariat for the
Convention on Biological Diversity along
with representatives from ICOMOS, IUCN,
ICCROM, the UN Indigenous Peoples
Working Group, the WHC, and other
interested parties
Case Study: World Heritage Indigenous
Peoples Council of Experts
• In 2001, 25th session of UNESCO's World
Heritage Committee did not approve the
establishment of WHIPCOE.
• Composed of Argentina, Belgium, China,
Colombia, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Hungary,
India, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman,
Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian
Federation, Saint Lucia, South Africa,
Thailand, United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe
• Recommended that “indigenous peoples
could meet on their own initiative, be
included as part of State Party delegations
to the Committee and ... be involved in
UNESCO’s work relating to the intangible
heritage.”
Case Study: World Heritage Indigenous
Peoples Council of Experts
• Lessons learned:
• State Party structure remains strong
and resists innovation
• Resistance to expert advisory groups by
State Parties
• Resistance to “third-party”
considerations that may run against
State Party interests
• Possibilities for indigenous collaboration
across state boundaries are complicated
1972 UNESCO
Convention
2003 UNESCO
Convention
Concluding Thoughts:
• In principle, the UNESCO World
Heritage process offers a means for
drawing attention to “outstanding”
cultural and natural places.
But…
• Indigenous cultural heritage does not fit
well within the World Heritage
framework of outstanding universal
value.
• The Global Indigenous Movement,
cities, and local communities have
found reason to object to UNESCO’s
World Heritage program.