The analysis of existing international space cooperation initiatives for UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites

Paper number

IAC-10.E3.1A.14

Author

Ms. Sandra Cabrera Alvarado, France

Year

2010

Abstract

Since 2001 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched jointly with the European Space Agency (ESA) the ‘Open Initiative on the use of space technologies to support the World Heritage Convention’. This was a call to all international and national space agencies, the space research sector and the space private sector to assist UNESCO in safeguarding natural and cultural sites recognized by the international community as having a unique universal value and therefore that they must be protected for future generations.

Today the ESA-UNESCO ‘Open Initiative’ is a reality, over 50 space partners working jointly with UNESCO in a large number of applications of space technologies for cultural and natural heritage. UNESCO has become a worldwide leader in mobilizing space partnerships for heritage conservation, protection and preservation.

The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) is also a member of the ESA-UNESCO ‘Open Initiative’. UNESCO has been present on several IACs events giving high lectures, keynotes and having special sessions on the topic space and heritage. UNESCO is active in the new Committee for the Cultural Utilization of Space (ITACCUS) programme. 

This paper studies the international cooperation initiatives for ‘space for heritage’, to strengthen and to encourage the international cooperation for a better management and preservation of World Heritage Sites under the UNESCO auspices. Moreover, this paper would like to create awareness of the activities the Remote Sensing Unit under UNESCO’s Science division. 






Note: This is a theoretical study within my master studies; the issue has not been consulted with UNESCO and its space partners.

Abstract document

IAC-10.E3.1A.14.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-10.E3.1A.14.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.