Introduction
The idea to expand the Emerging Professional membership base of ICOMOS was expressed in the 2016 ICOMOS Annual Report. In response, the ICOMOS International EPWG was established at the 19
th General Assembly of ICOMOS, held in Delhi, India, in 2017. Nine resolutions
(Resolution 19GA 2017/33 – Emerging Professionals Initiative) were passed during the 19
th General Assembly that defined the roles and scope of activities for EPWG. Subsequently, all ICOMOS National Commissions were encouraged to create their respective EPWG to collaborate nationally and internationally during the 2017-2020 triennium.
In September 2019, ICOMOS India sent an open call for Expression of Interest to all its members who wished to and were qualified to join the Working Group. ICOMOS India EPWG was officially launched in October 2019 at the National Scientific Conclave held in Mumbai. The existing structure of EPWG includes elected representatives at the National and zonal level.
Objectives
The Working Group aims to expand their membership base within COMOS India and enable better integration of Emerging Professionals within the organisation. Working closely at all levels with young students, aspiring professionals and senior members, including COMOS India’s Executive Committee; it will facilitate inter-generational engagement and maintain ICOMOS’ scientific relevance.
Vision
Create an accessible platform that channels a progressive, uplifting, and enabling environment for emerging professionals (EPs) in the field of heritage and culture.
Past Activities
Following are the events the ICOMOS India EPWG has successfully hosted and participated –
- EPWG launched the ICOMOS India’s Mentorship Programme on the eve of IDMS, April 2021
- EPWG provided translations in 9 regional languages including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Odiya, Marathi, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu for the IDMS poster for the theme “Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures”, 2021
- Reviewed and provided inputs for the NSC ICH’s Comprehensive ICH inventory format & Online Repository, Feb 2021
- Development of the EPWG position paper for ICOMOS India, Feb 2021
- Launch of Hello EP survey to understand the needs and interests of the EPWG membership to develop the triennial plan, Dec 2020
- Other Collaborations:
- March 2020: 2 EPs as translators for a film on Kartarpur Corridor as part of the project ‘ICORP on the Road’.
- May 2020: EPs as rapporteurs and technical support team during Scientific Symposium 2020
- May 2020: Editorial support provided for Annual Report 2019-2020
- August – December 2020: Collaboration with East Zone and NSC HTV for webinar series on ‘Historic Precincts and Areas’.
- IDMS 2020 - Social Media Event: Qissa: Memories with my Heritage, April 2020
- March 2020: 2 EPs as translators for a film on Kartarpur Corridor as part of the project ‘ICORP on the Road’.
- May 2020: EPs as rapporteurs and technical support team during Scientific Symposium 2020
- May 2020: Editorial support provided for Annual Report 2019-2020
- Webinar ‘In Search of Authenticity’: The webinar explored the association of notions of authenticity to both tangible and intangible aspects, presenting a more holistic understanding of the term, 2019
- Webinar on ‘Water and Heritage in India, the World Heritage List and the Way Forward’. This webinar was organised with Water and Heritage Working Group, as the knowledge partner, 2019
- Heritage Walk for Local Communities in Khajuraho: Organized by EPWG Central Zone in collaboration with the INTACH Belgium Chapter, the walk in World Heritage Site, “Khajuraho Group of Monuments” was curated for local people and school children, 2019
- Walking Tour through the Historic City of Ahmadabad: Organized by EPWG West Zone, this walk led local students and city residents through the historic core of the World Heritage City of Ahmadabad, 2019
