The 19th General Assembly and scientific symposium, themed "Heritage & Democracy", of International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) was today formally inaugurated in the auditorium of Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium at New Delhi with an inaugural address by President ICOMOS India, Dr RohiJigyesu.The first ever ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium in India, being organized from 11th to 15th of December 2017, is aimed at to provide great opportunity to promote international co-operation and strengthen understanding thereby creating a robust ecosystem in the field of heritage conservation. The programme is the perfect place to network with world over heritage conservation professionals including architectures, historians, archaeologist and experts for integrating heritage and sustainable urban development by engaging diverse communities for heritage management.Pertinently, the Jammu and Kashmir Government, Department of Culture, is sponsoring the event as a Platinum sponsor besides being supported by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Government of Bihar and Odisha and key Tourism players. The Directorate of Archives Archaeology and Museums is coordinating other departments of the state like Tourism, Handlooms and Handicrafts for making the best use of the platform. Besides, the Department of Archives Archaeology and Museums has put some of its valuable publications on the display and distribution stalls relevant to the subject like Monuments and Sites, which are receiving high appreciation by the delegates of the nation and abroad.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Vijay Goyal, was Chief Guest at the event.The other dignitaries, who expressed their brainstorming ideas on preservation of Monuments and Heritage Sites on the inaugural day, were Gustavo Arazo President ICOMOS, Dr. MechtildRossler Director UNESCO world heritage center Paris, Mr. Shigeru Aoyogi Director and UNESCO representative to INDIA, BHUTAN, MALDIVES AND SRI LANKA, Mr. Stefano De Caro Director General ICCROM.Vijaya Goyal elaborated on the significance of preservation of tangible and intangible heritage of the national and world over and also assured full assistance for the purpose on behalf of the Government.
During the event, renowned heritage professionals and enthusiasts like archaeologists, architects, urban planners, engineers, curators, building conservation professionals, art historians from diverse cultural backgrounds shares and exchanged their brainstorming views and ideas on relevant topics such as Integrating Heritage and Sustainable Urban Development by Engaging Diverse Communities, Role of Cultural Heritage in Building Peace and Reconciliation, Protecting and Interpreting Cultural Heritage in the Age of Digital Empowerment; Culture- Nature Journey, exploring the Complexities of Human Relationships with Natural and Cultural Places under the overarching theme of 'Heritage and Democracy'.They emphasized the necessity to save the heritage and culture throughout the globe rising above religion and politics and overcoming all the obstacles like resource crunches, financial support connectivity etc.The speakers also stressed upon the need of incorporating heritage related curriculum in schools, colleges and universities besides involving public private partnership and assistance of volunteers in such activities. was also impressed upon that there should be a coordination and relationship between all the Government and Private Institution besides NGOs throughout the globe to preserve heritage and make the planet beautiful.Gurmeet Sanga Ray, in her vote of thanks, expressed her special thanks for Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and Orissa for sponsoring the symposium.