World Heritage Committee Session 41
2-12 July 2017 | Krakow, Poland
Every year, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meets to consider applications for the World Heritage List - a list which recognises sites around the world with special cultural or physical significance. The Committee also requests states to take action when heritage sites are not being properly managed, allocates financial assistance to help look after them, and recognises when heritage sites are in danger - for instance as a result of conflict, development or climate change.
But who decides what of our heritage has "special cultural or physical significance"? The Committee has been criticised, for example, for favouring Eurocentric values, and for favouring some sites over others for political reasons. Our heritage forms a key part of our cultural identities, so the Committee has a pretty significant responsibility.
Of course, it's only appropriate that our delegates should visit some real-life World Heritage Sites too - so as well as the Committee Session, they'll see Sites in London and Krakow while they're away.
KEY INFO
DEPARTS AKL - 26 June
RETURNS TO AKL - 16 July
TRAINING WEEKEND - 27-28 May
APPLICATIONS DUE - 14 April
$1500 DEPOSIT DUE - 24 April
DELEGATION FEE - $4700
Head Delegate
INDIA LOGAN-RILEY
An alumna of of the Institute's delegation to COP 21 in Paris, India has been selected to lead this year's delegation to the World Heritage Committee. Currently living in Wellington, India studied Anthropology at the University of Auckland. She is originally from Hawke's Bay (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga), where she acted as Kaitiaki Assistant and Exhibition Technician at the Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery. India is interested in how indigenous peoples' heritage - especially when intangible - is recognised and understood, and how it can be protected for future generations in the face of threats such as climate change. In her spare time India likes to connect with the whenua through tramping or rock climbing, or reading or watching films.
Delegates
ANJORI MITRA
Anjori is a lawyer from Auckland working in litigation. She completed a BA (History and English) / LLB (Hons) at the University of Auckland, during which she studied International Law, European History, Art History and Classics. She has volunteered for the Equal Justice Project and Human Rights Lawyers’ Association. She is interested in the relationship between cultural property and international law, particularly regarding colonialism, genocide and the cultural identity of marginalised groups. She enjoys watching films and theatre and frequents flea markets and museums.
CHRISTOPHE GILLAIN
Christophe is a young professional, working in Auckland as a Refugee and Protection Officer. He studied International Law and History at the University of Auckland. His MA thesis examined violence and friendship as aspects of seventeenth-century French aristocratic culture. Christophe’s love of history and cultural heritage sparked his interest in attending the World Heritage Committee, and he hopes to pursue these passions through a career with an IGO/NGO or in academia.
LANU FALETAU
Lanu is a recent graduate from the University of Auckland with a BA/LLB; a recently admitted Barrister and Solicitor of the New Zealand High Court, and is currently pursuing her Master of Laws specialising in international law. An avid member of her community Lanu was an AUSA advocate and team leader for the equitable division, a mentor for at risk secondary schools, and was selected as the stage 2/3 Tuakana Tutor for Criminology this year. In August, Lanu will embark on a legal internship under the tutelage of the Samoan Law Commission and is excited to experience a legal jurisdiction in the Pacific which is enriched with custom and culture. With particular interest in ethnic minorities and the preservation of culture, Lanu is interested in developing a deeper understanding and appreciation of the importance of culture and heritage and the efforts to maintain them. She hopes to use the knowledge gained from this experience to play an instrumental role in furthering international efforts pertaining to culture and custom, tradition and heritage.
SAMANTHA KEEN
Having spent 6 years studying History and Museum Studies, Samantha's interest in heritage is varied and extensive. Her work with Heritage New Zealand has grounded her desire to gain further experience in this sector. This conference will provide a truly unique chance to foster further learning and expand her experience with world heritage issues in a practical sense.
JULIA KENNERLEY
Talker. Traveller. Blogger. History nerd. Currently working towards a BA/BComm, Julia recently spent six months studying abroad. She fell in love with the cultural and aesthetic beauty of Europe, resulting in her desire to help ensure that sites of cultural significance, particularly those in war-torn areas such as Syria, are protected. In the future Julia aims to pursue a career in Management Consultancy. With an interest in social entrepreneurship, she’s passionate about shifting the focus from the single to the quadruple bottom line. She begins an internship with PwC in November.
SHAY ARIF
Shayma'a is a Law and Political Science student from Kirikiriroa. She is originally Iraqi/Syrian and made Aotearoa New Zealand home in 1995. Shayma'a has a strong passion for human rights, justice, and peace which encompasses the conservation of cultural identity through immigration, migration, and conflict. Shayma'a has never been to any of her countries of origin but has always long hoped to one day be able to go back and walk in the streets her ancestors once walked in and see the historical sites that were part of their culture and magic. However, after the conflict in Syria began in 2011, many heritage sites in Syria were destroyed which meant that many Syrians who have never been to their homeland before or have been forced to flee their homelands will never be able to see the same Syria their grandparents once saw again. The conservation of heritage sites is extremely essential as it is also a call to protect a nation's culture and history, the journey a nation has been through and the emotional connections and ties many citizens and residents have with those sites. Shayma'a hopes that in the future, even through times of conflict and war, heritage sites are protected by governments and those involved in the conflict from destruction as it directly harms the nation as a whole.
JACK GRADWELL
Born in London and raised in Wellington, Jack is a Masters Student, University Instructor and a guide/researcher at a First World War museum. Jack has extensive knowledge and experience with history, policy processes, diplomacy and international governance. A master of networking, Jack has extensive ties to many organisations and groups including charities, political parties, veteran’s groups and the diplomatic corps. In joining the delegation, Jack hopes to expand upon these ties and put his skills to use, bringing back knowledge and experience that he can apply within his home city of Wellington.