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ICCROM Participates with the International Forum Bosnia in the 20th International Summer School for Youth and Heritage
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates – July 26, 2025 – The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), and its Regional Centre in Sharjah, are pleased to announce their participation with the International Forum Bosnia (IFB) in the launch of the 20th International Summer School for Youth and Heritage (ISSYH20). The school's activities will take place from 24 July to 9 August 2025, at various locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including Sarajevo, Mostar, and Stolac.
ICCROM will deliver a comprehensive training course on “Risk Management and Documentation of Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis” as part of the ISSYH20. The school and training activities aim to introduce young people to the importance of cultural heritage and its role in community recovery, as well as the principles of preserving urban and built heritage and managing disaster risk. A focus is placed on practical skills for documenting built heritage and mapping.
In her opening remarks, ICCROM Director-General Ms. Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral emphasized the vital partnership with the International Forum Bosnia, noting the importance of the training programme in strengthening the capacity of participants to safeguard cultural heritage in times of and after crisis – a core mission of ICCROM. She added, "Our collaboration with the International Forum Bosnia stands as an example of what we believe in – that cultural heritage is not only about the past, but a foundation for healing, for rebuilding, and for forging more inclusive and resilient societies, especially in post-conflict contexts."
Director-General Gujral further highlighted the unique significance of the programme’s setting: “Bosnia and Herzegovina is a uniquely important setting for this initiative. Here, heritage carries the hope and the power of renewal."
A total of 23 trainees from 13 different countries are participating in this training course, forming a dynamic and diverse group of interested individuals and experts, including students and professionals, united by a shared vision of heritage's role as a tool for confidence-building and recovery in affected communities.
In addition to core lectures that address the concept of cultural heritage and its role in Bosnia, particularly in the aftermath of its challenging experience at the end of the 20th century, participants will have the opportunity to explore various cultural heritage sites and museums. Students will also be able to use diverse digital heritage tools, including drawing, photography, and laser scanning, alongside augmented virtual reality applications, providing a comprehensive and innovative set of skills to address contemporary challenges in built heritage conservation and disaster response.
Amra Hadzimuhamedovic, Director of the Cultural Heritage Centre at the International Forum Bosnia, stated: "This course is part of the 20th edition of the Summer School organized annually by the International Forum Bosnia (IFB). This year, we are pleased to announce our strategic partnership with ICCROM, which significantly enhances the participants' experience by considering the diversity of their academic backgrounds and geographical locations." She added: "The socio-cultural landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its complex history of conflict and recovery, provides a fundamental backdrop for this training. The region's rich heritage, which has endured destruction and restoration, offers vital lessons that participants will not want to miss."
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About the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah
The ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah is a cultural hub generously supported by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah and member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates. The office is a powerhouse of cultural heritage knowledge, specially created for widespread adoption in Arabic-speaking countries. Launched in 2012, ICCROM-Sharjah is dedicated to protecting cultural heritage in the Arab region and broadening access, appreciation, and understanding of its rich history.
About ISSYH20
ISSYH marks its 20th edition in 2025 as a unique global learning initiative that empowers young professionals (ages 20–35) to engage with heritage as a tool for healing, resilience, and cross-cultural dialogue. Founded in the post-conflict town of Stolac in 2005, ISSYH has evolved into a platform that combines practical restoration training, theoretical instruction, and intercultural exchange. It brings together participants from over 40 countries and has restored more than 40 heritage sites.q
