Session Description
Cultural heritage has been part of international impact assessment since the 1970s. While initially receiving less attention than other thematic areas, its treatment within the environmental and social frameworks of development lenders and allied institutions has expanded significantly over time.
This panel examines the evolution of cultural heritage standards and practices in impact assessment. Early approaches focused primarily on heritage of broad international significance, such as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Successive policy frameworks have expanded both the scope of cultural heritage addressed, and the processes used to identify, evaluate, and mitigate project impacts. The panel will bring together perspectives from multilateral development banks, private sector practitioners, academia, and communities to discuss the benefits and challenges associated with emerging trends in cultural heritage policy and practice.
Topics will include the incorporation of evolving good international practice; growing recognition of living heritage and Indigenous cultural heritage; the interaction between formal legal requirements and customary community frameworks; meaningful consultation and stakeholder engagement; local capacity development; and differing regional approaches to cultural heritage research and assessment.
The session will also explore a fundamental question facing practitioners and decision-makers alike: How can development projects, processes inherently focused on change and progress, both leverage and protect cultural heritage, history, and tradition as part of sustainable development?
Session Summary
Cultural heritage has been part of impact assessment since the 1970s. This panel explores the evolution of cultural heritage standards and practice among international lenders through brief presentations, discussion, and Q&A. Panelists represent multilateral lenders, academia, the private sector, and community perspectives.
Additional Information
The session will be co-chaired by Emlen Myers, a cultural heritage expert supporting the Asian Development Bank's implementation of its Environmental and Social Framework. He will serve as one of the panelists, with additional panelists selected through an open call in response to the session announcement, ensuring representation from a range of sectors and perspectives.
Proposed By
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Session Chair
LEODEGARIO DE CASTRO
Asian Development Bank
Philippines
Session Co-chair
Emlen Myers
Asian Development Bank
United States