Duration

6 – 15 December 2026 (10 days)

Place
Macao SAR, P. R. China

Application Deadline: 15 September 2026

Organizers
Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO, Shanghai Centre (WHITR-AP Shanghai)

Host
Centre for the Preservation and Transmission of the Cultural Heritage of the Palace Museum in Macao

Co-organizers
University of Macau

 

Background

World Heritage properties are facing multiple challenges, including accelerated urbanization, development pressures, natural disasters, and deficiencies in management systems. According to the analysis by the World Heritage Centre, 86% of the inscribed properties are impacted by a range of management issues. Taking the current context into account, and also in response to the strategic requirements of the Framework of the Action Plan for the Third Round of Periodic Reporting in the Asia-Pacific Region (2023-2030) and the World Heritage Capacity Building Strategy (2025-2035), WHITR-AP Shanghai and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao SAR are jointly organizing a capacity development activity on "Management for World Heritage: From Theory to Practice".

Considering the latest developments in the field, this capacity development activity will focus on providing participants with the knowledge and skills to understand the overall framework for Management Systems within the World Heritage Contexts, going from the macro level in terms of World Heritage processes and requirements, governance and policy, to the challenges faced at the property level, including tensions between heritage protection and sustainable development.

The capacity development activity will be designed as an intensive, in-person activity, with pedagogical approaches that will combine foundational knowledge delivery with active participatory learning, peer exchange and hands-on exercises. It will include theoretical presentations, practical exercises, group work and debriefing sessions, guided thematic discussions, among others, to encourage reflection on complex heritage management issues and application of concepts to real-world challenges.

Different modules will introduce participants to essential knowledge areas in World Heritage conservation and management and include management tools such as HUL and Heritage Impact Assessments, as well as the most recent approaches defined in the WH Management resource manual to improve the management of World Heritage in the Asia-Pacific region.

Objectives

1. Understand the key concepts and elements of World Heritage Management Systems, and their theoretical and practical application, underscoring the importance of Outstanding Universal Value and its three pillars: criteria, authenticity and integrity, and protection and management, and cultivate the ability to analyze systems from the overall macro situation to the details.

2. Develop skills and proficiency in the use of management approaches and tools including the Historic Urban Landscape approach for management, Heritage Impact Assessment processes and Management Effectiveness, to improve the technical capacities to deal with the tensions between heritage protection, management and development.

3. Improve practical skills through the application of concepts and approaches in selected cases in Macao cases and also in the participants own cases. The activity will cover all steps of the management design process, from documentation to analysis and response, considering an adaptive management approach and theory of change frameworks.

4. Promote regional development and peer exchange and sharing of knowledge and experience in the management of World Heritage properties in the Asia-Pacific region, allowing participants to improve the management level of their heritage properties, and better streamline heritage protection with sustainable development.

 

Participants

Enrollment quota: A total of 25 participants. Priority is given to applicants with:
1. A minimum of 5 years of working experience in the heritage sector;
2. Participation in improving the management systems of World Heritage as required by the World Heritage Committee;
3. Participants in the Asia and the Pacific region;
4. English language proficiency.

Working Language & Certificate

Working Language: English
A certificate of attendance given by WHITR-AP and the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government will be awarded to participants who complete all training components.

Course Fees

This capacity building activity is offered free of charge. During the programme, accommodation and lunch will be provided for all participants. International travel expenses, dinner, insurance, visa and other personal costs shall be borne by participants themselves.

Application

1. Complete application form  APPLICATION FORM;
2. Provide a short report to illustrate the existing management system for World Heritage in your country, including legal, institutional framework and resources for World Heritage from national to property level. Please limit the report to max 2000 words.

Correspondence

Please send all application documents with the subject of “2026 MWH” by email. All correspondence concerning the above course should be addressed in English to:

Contact: Ms. Hong LI

World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO, Shanghai Centre
Tel: 0086 21 65987687 ext. 8010
Email: training@whitr-ap.org

Website: www.whitra-ap.org