CFP: Remote Access to World Heritage Sites

"I Know Where I'm Going" - Remote Access to World Heritage Sites from St Kilda to Uluru

Remote Access to World Heritage Sites from St Kilda to Uluru

23-24 November 2011- Edinburgh (UK)

CALL FOR PAPERS

At a time of economic crisis and environmental threat, countries
everywhere are addressing the dual challenge of protecting and
preserving their natural and cultural heritage while maximizing its
economic value. This two-day international conference will focus on
the potential of new technologies to create high-quality,
remote-access, visitor experiences for World Heritage Sites and other
sites of cultural, historical and natural significance where remote
access is desirable or necessary.

The conference has three main aims:

1. To showcase the new technologies available: including the 3D
laser scanning of St Kilda WHS as part of the Scottish Ten
project to create exceptionally accurate digital models of
Scotland's five UNESCO World Heritage Sites and others
worldwide, in order to better conserve and manage them
(http://www.scottishten.org/). Other forms of digital mapping
will also be demonstrated.
2. To debate the benefits and challenges these new technologies
present. This applies not only to issues of preservation,
conservation, interpretation but also to the benefits and
pitfalls of virtual access to sensitive sites and the economic
benefits of tourism promoted thus.
3. To encourage site managers worldwide - particularly within the
UNESCO World Heritage Sites network - to consider the benefits &
impact these new technologies could have for their own sites,
allowing them to investigate these further and clarify issues of
acquisition, installation, costs etc.

The Conference will link into the 40th anniversary of the 1972 World
Heritage Convention (http://whc.unesco.org/en/conventiontext/). It
will be part of the Year of Scottish Islands 2011 and have a special
resonance for island sites everywhere. This conference will showcase
Scottish expertise in cutting-edge digital technology to a global
audience and create new business links with new markets.

THE CONFERENCE FORMAT

The Conference will have a mix of presentations and keynotes and
parallel sessions with empirical papers drawing on national and
regional contexts. Keynote speakers will include Dr Mechtild Rössler,
Chief of section Policy and Statutory Implementation Unit, UNESCO
World Heritage Centre.

If you would like to present a paper addressing the themes of the
Conference, please submit an abstract. Abstracts should be submitted
in pdf format and be limited to 2 pages and 1,000 words (including
title and author information, but excluding references). The
evaluation will be based on the quality of the submission. Submissions
and inquiries are through: rawhsc11@gmail.com. The deadline for
submissions is 3rd April 2011. On submission of an abstract, authors
should receive an email confirming receipt of their submission.

CONTACT

Isabelle Uny
Project Manager
Email: rawhsc11@gmail.com
Website: http://inspace.mediascot.org/beholder/iknowwhereimgoing
Mobile: +44(0) 777 380 8912

IMPORTANT DATES

Submission of title and abstract: 3rd April, 2011
Notification of acceptance: 25th April, 2011
Deadline for early-bird registration: 30 June, 2011
Registration deadline: 11 November, 2011
Remote Access to World Heritage Sites Conference: 23 & 24 November, 2011