Global Conference on Remote Access to World Heritage Sites
Leading lights in science, technology, conservation and heritage interpretation descended upon Edinburgh this week for a unique conference which looked at how new technology could help protect fragile landscapes while at the same time giving greater public access to them.
‘I Know Where I'm Going: Remote Access to World Heritage Sites from St Kilda to Uluru’ was held in the city from 23-24 November, with a key note speech from UNESCO World Heritage Centre Chief Dr Mechtild Rossler. The UK National Commission for UNESCO’s Scotland Committee was a lead sponsor of this important event.
Watch the full remote access conference proceedings online at http://vimeo.com/mediascot. Please note this content will not be available until Mon 28 Nov.
Over the two days, delegates from across the globe explored how people could use new technology to view remote, fragile and protected sites without having to visit them. This is thanks to a flurry of new digital media which was showcased at the event, including 3D/4D scanning, mobile phones, GPS/GIS and new marine and satellite technologies.
Joanne Orr, Chair of the Scotland committee of the UK National Commission for UNESCO said:
As the UNESCO World Heritage Convention approaches its 40th anniversary, countries everywhere have had to address the dual challenge of protecting and preserving their natural and cultural heritage while maximising their economic value. This conference is key to the policy debate on how new technologies can impact on site management and how places spread across continents can be linked, their values better understood and practices shared among people and nations.”
Attendees debated the policy issues, benefits and challenges of these new technologies in relation to the preservation and conservation of environmentally sensitive sites. They also explored how new media can increase public access to remote sites and enhance the economic benefits from tourism.
Conference delegates were welcomed by the Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, and then went on to enjoy sessions featuring a live internet link with Uluru in Australia and a session on Africa as well as the demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies and presentations by field leaders on education and tourism.
Visit www.inspace.ed.ac.uk for further details on the conference
Written: 25/11/2011 , last modified: 25/11/2011
From left to right: Fiona Hyslop MSP Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs and Dr Mechtild Rossler, Chief, European and North America Section, UNESCO World Heritage Centre ® Gareth Easton 