ICOMOS
That’s a great summary of ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and its mission! ICOMOS indeed plays a crucial role in the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places worldwide. Its interdisciplinary network of experts allows for a comprehensive approach to heritage preservation, incorporating various fields of expertise.
As the only global non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the application of theory, methodology, and scientific techniques to heritage conservation, ICOMOS has been instrumental in developing and disseminating best practices in the field. Its work is guided by the principles outlined in the 1964 International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites, also known as the Venice Charter.
One significant aspect of ICOMOS’s involvement is its role as the Advisory Body of the World Heritage Committee for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention of UNESCO. This means that ICOMOS reviews nominations for cultural World Heritage sites and monitors the conservation status of these properties. By participating in the development of doctrine, advocating for heritage conservation, and fostering the exchange of ideas, ICOMOS contributes to shaping international approaches to heritage preservation.
The diverse composition of ICOMOS’s membership, comprising professionals from various disciplines such as architecture, history, archaeology, art history, geography, anthropology, engineering, and urban planning, ensures a multifaceted perspective on heritage conservation. This interdisciplinary exchange enables the improvement of preservation standards and techniques for different types of cultural heritage properties, including buildings, historic cities, cultural landscapes, and archaeological sites.
Overall, ICOMOS’s efforts in promoting conservation, protection, use, and enhancement of cultural heritage places have been invaluable in safeguarding our global heritage for present and future generations.
Thank you for providing additional information about ICOMOS and specifically ICOMOS Turkey. Here are the key points from the facts and figures you mentioned:
- ICOMOS has a substantial global presence with the following membership statistics:
- 9,500 individual members in more than 150 countries.
- 300 institutional members.
- 106 national committees.
- 28 international scientific committees.
- ICOMOS Turkey, the national committee for Turkey, was established in 1974 and operates in accordance with international practices and the ICOMOS Turkey National Committee Regulation.
- The duties and responsibilities of ICOMOS Turkey include:
- Advocating for the writing and acceptance of international recommendations related to the examination, conservation, restoration, and evaluation of monuments and sites.
- Collaborating at national and international levels to establish and enhance documentation centers for monuments and sites, making these resources available to ICOMOS members, experts, and relevant institutions.
- Assisting in the preparation of lists, inventories, plans, topographical maps, photographs, and photogrammetry archives of monuments and sites, both nationally and internationally.
- Disseminating the latest technical information on the conservation, restoration, and evaluation of monuments and sites.
- Establishing research commissions and expert committees, as necessary, to fulfill their responsibilities and collaborating with existing and future commissions and committees.
- Cooperating with other organizations such as the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and ICOM (International Council of Museums), as well as national and international institutions.
- Publishing materials related to monuments and sites and supporting and protecting these publications.
- Working on personnel training and providing support in terms of technical materials.
- Operating as a voluntary, non-governmental organization with an Executive Committee elected for a three-year term, responsible for managing activities, projects, and initiatives.
These points highlight the broad reach of ICOMOS and the specific roles and responsibilities of ICOMOS Turkey within the framework of international heritage conservation practices.
