We are pleased to invite you to consider contributing to our 2010 conference which we will be running in collaboration with the University of York on  the crucial theme of Conservation Philosophies. 

A three day conference jointly organised by the Centre for Conservation Studies, University of York and ICOMOS-UK
3-5 June 2010, King’s Manor, York, UK

 Is there such a thing as a global conservation philosophy for cultural heritage? Should there be? Or should cultural heritage conservation reflect cultural diversity? The Conference will consider these thoughts through exploring conjunctions and differences between conservation philosophies and principles in UK, India and China. 

Agra Fort, India, photo: M & G Therin-Weise

These aspirations were translated into an Australian national framework by the Burra Charter, the Australian National Charter, 1979. The idea of universality was strengthened by the 1972 World Heritage Convention with its concept of outstanding universal value for properties that might be seen part of the ‘world heritage of mankind as a whole’, which thus translated universal ideas to places perceived to be of universal value. 

In recent years the China Principles, 2002, and the INTACH Charter for the Conservation of Unprotected Architectural Heritage and Sites in India, 2004, have developed conservation guidance related to specific cultural traditions. Do these still somehow reflect the idea of an over-arching conservation philosophy that can be seen to be global? Or are they stand alone documents whose similarities merely reflect the interchange of ideas between east and west? 

The Conference will consider these thoughts through exploring conjunctions and differences between conservation philosophies and principles in UK, India and China. Contributions on the following themes are welcomed:

• Are coincidences in conservation ideas between east and west the result of direct contact and exchange of ideas between conservation professionals in the 19th and 20th centuries?

• Are coincidences of outcome influenced more by changing overarching philosophies – the westernisation of the east (colonialism) and the easternisation of the west?

• Is there an over-arching conservation philosophy which brings east and west together at a global level and within which regional and national principles, policies and practice can be developed, or are there fundamental dichotomies and irreconcilable differences?

• At a practical level, is there potential for international agreement on methods of, and standards for,conservation interventions at cultural heritage sites? 

Abstracts for proposed papers (15 minutes) on these themes will be accepted until Friday 5th March 2010. 

York Minster, UK

Instructions for Submitting an Abstract (please read carefully) 

• Abstracts must be received in ICOMOS-UK by 5th March 2010

• Text of 300-500 words in English

• The page with the abstracts must contain AT THE TOP the title of the proposed paper, the name of the author(s), and contact information (institutional affiliation, mailing address, phone number and email address)

• A committee from ICOMOS-UK and the University of York will evaluate all abstracts. Authors selected for paper presentations will be notified by 22th March 2010. Final written and electronic papers must be received by ICOMOS-UK by 3rd May.

• ICOMOS-UK will accept electronic (Microsoft Word or Adobe pdf files only) abstracts sent by email to camillamassara@icomos-uk.org

• For specific queries on the themes please contact:

Navin Piplani, Director, Centre for Conservation Studies, University of York: np515@york.ac.uk

Camilla Massara, Events Co-ordinator, ICOMOS-UK: camillamassara@icomos-uk.org