During the recent ICOMOS General Assembly in Kuching, conservation architect Gráinne Shaffrey was elected as the new President of ICOMOS, while the IHBC looks forward to expanding links with ICOMOS as a ‘… pillar of hope and a pathway towards a more sustainable future.’
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘I’m delighted to lead the IHBC’s celebration of Gráinne’s success in Kuching, at the ICOMOS General Assembly. It’s a great achievement for her, great for Ireland and absolutely wonderful news for build and historic environment conservation’.
‘That she is absolutely the right person in the right place is clear from her speech below too!’
‘I am sad of course not to have been there, due to Charter obligations here, but we will still advance our invaluable links with and support from ICOMOS and its many networks.’
‘These include support for our Charter as well as a shared objective in supporting interdisciplinary conservation practice, education, services – include regulatory services – and standards. The IHBC’s Memorandum with ICOMOS-UK also marks those close links.’
‘I’m sure we can cultivate our shared plans even more effectively now, with Grainne in place, as a person especially well acquainted with the challenges we all face, across the globe.’
ICOMOS writes:
As the event draws to a close, [Gráinne Shaffrey ] the newly elected president of ICOMOS addresses the General Assembly for the first time in her term: 22nd October, ICOMOS General Assembly, Kuching, Malaysia…
Gráinne said:
Dear ICOMOS colleagues…
…
It is with a great sense of honour, responsibility and humility that I stand amongst you as the tenth President of ICOMOS. I step into the shoes of a remarkable group of past Presidents, who have cumulatively built this fantastic organisation into a valuable force of good for this world. And, our immediate past President, Teresa Patricio, has, I can assure you, very large shoes!
As we have witnessed through the many discussions and presentations over these last days, ICOMOS stands apart in the world of cultural heritage and is a genuine leader in the advancement and evolution of heritage. At a time of increasing volatility and uncertainty ICOMOS provides a solid mooring post which is grounded in a value system based on mutual respect, independence and a spirit of unprejudiced cooperation and transdisciplinarity. This mooring post will, if we collectively uphold our shared core principles, become increasingly valued as a pillar of hope and a pathway towards a more sustainable future.
My admiration for ICOMOS and all involved in what we do, only grows as I learn more and participate more. As an organisation and a global gathering of committed volunteer members it is deeply inspiring. I applaud the incredible generosity of all members in giving your time, intellectual skills, passion and so much more than this, in pursuit of the important work we are doing – on climate action; on preparing and responding to an increasing number and type of crises and staying committed throughout the recovery process; to carefully developing groundbreaking and pioneering conceptual frameworks and practical guidance in the form of our doctrinal texts; to providing rigorous, truly expert, independent and insightful advice on World Heritage; to the groundwork we would not survive without, at the local level within National and Transnational Committees by the many members we may not see at these gatherings, who may not engage so much internationally, but who are a key foundation of our organisation.
Right now, you might be looking towards me, I want you all instead, for a moment to reflect on the ICOMOS members in your countries who are not here, and just as important, those in your neighbouring countries, and acknowledge your and their commitment to the protection, advancement and transmission of cultural heritage, enacted within the framework of our Ethical Principles.
I do not take this rare commitment for granted and with the Board we will work to find ways to improve the conditions for participation.
As I set out in my election statement, I am here to listen, to reflect carefully, and to move ICOMOS forward collectively and collaboratively. And I borrowed a lesson I learnt from my dear colleague Zeynep Gül Ünal, when speaking about how ICOMOS might respond to disasters and conflicts – It is when we come together to think together and to act together that we can be our most effective and influential.
I want to thank all those who met and spoke with me in the lead up to the election – I have heard much from you that can inspire and inform how and what we do over the next 3 years. And I have also been listening carefully over these last days of our General Assembly and Scientific Symposium – I have heard the voices at meetings, but also in the smaller and vital informal conversations with you. What I value greatly, and I hope all of you will work with me in this way, is to ensure a respectful, rigorous, collaborative and open process in what we do. When we progress informed by critical thinking, open, respectful discussion and debate, to action, and return again to reflection and review, then we can enable better and more effective action.
We have many tasks ahead of importance – in which I include those embedded in the resolutions now adopted by this 22nd General Assembly, amongst which is our comprehensive 3-year General Programme. My 3-year mandate brings us closer to the looming 2030 milestones and we will give focus to how we might mark this significant date and, more critically, prepare for post-2030 with culture placed at the centre of development policies and ICOMOS as the lead international expert body backing sustainable development through cultural heritage.
Amongst the many words that have echoed in my mind over the last few days are Change and Continuity. Change is inevitable and at this moment, myself and the new Board represent change. Change does not necessarily mean disruption, loss, turning things upside down. Change can nurture and build on existing foundations. Change can accommodate continuity and propel us forward without losing the timeless values that define who we are.
This General Assembly also addressed our multi-cultural diversity through exploring terminology and meaning – not only as written text, spoken word, or thought concepts – but also as expressions of cultural specificity and diversity. And, being an ICOMOS event, I could not resist creating an acronym from the inspiring core pillars of the Scientific Symposium – Respect, Enhance, Accept, and Partnership – together their first letters spell REAP, which speaks of a harvest we might yield from sowing, nurturing and wisely tending all these concepts.
I am from Ireland, in population and size we are very small in global terms. We have a history of migration and movement. An island off an island on the edge of a continent, we have always looked outwards and ideas and culture have washed in and washed out. I take inspiration from this condition which has informed my own global interest and outlook. I joined ICOMOS for its world-wide perspective and this is what I will carry with me throughout my term.
I will end with a few personal congratulations and thanks….
I will leave you with a traditional parting wish in Irish, which I have adapted very slightly:
…
May the road rise to meet us,
May the wind be always at our back,
May the sun shine warm upon our faces,
May the rain fall soft upon our fields,
And until we meet again,
May Mother Earth hold us in the gentle palm of Her hand.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir… Merci , Gracias, Thank you, Terima kasih
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