Learn & Discover

3D Scanning is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Access Control is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Accessibility describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The commitment to make cultural heritage sites, museums, and materials available and usable for as many people as possible, including those with disabilities. This can mean physical accommodations (ramps, tactile exhibits, Braille labels), sensory accommodations (sign language tours, audio guides for the visually impaired), and intellectual accessibility (clear language signage, multilingual information) so that everyone has the opportunity to experience and learn from heritage.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Accountability describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The process of repurposing an old or historic building for a new use while retaining its heritage values. Examples include converting an old factory into apartments, or a historic palace into a library. Adaptive reuse gives historic structures renewed life and utility, ensuring their preservation by integrating them into contemporary needs, often with sensitive design modifications that respect the building’s character.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Expert organizations that provide advice and evaluations for international heritage frameworks, notably in the World Heritage system. The three formal Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee are: ICOMOS (for cultural heritage), IUCN (for natural heritage), and ICCROM (for training and conservation). They review site nominations, monitor conservation status, and offer technical expertise to help guide decisions and uphold standards.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Aftershock Risk is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

A reconstruction technique in archaeology and conservation where a ruined monument or structure is carefully reassembled from its original fragments. New materials are added only where necessary to support the old pieces. Anastylosis aims to preserve as much of the original fabric as possible and is often used at sites like ancient temples or archways that have fallen apart over time.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Anti-Trafficking Measures relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Archaeological Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Archaeological Site refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Archival Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Authenticity refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Before-and-After Photography is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Benefit Sharing describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The name refers to both an emblem and an organization dedicated to protecting cultural heritage during armed conflicts and disasters. The Blue Shield emblem (a blue and white shield) is the international symbol used to mark protected cultural property under the Hague Convention of 1954. The Blue Shield network (often called the cultural Red Cross) consists of committees and volunteers worldwide who work to safeguard museums, archives, monuments, and sites at risk from wars or natural catastrophes.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Blue Shield Emblem relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Build Back Better is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Building Code relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Built Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

In the context of heritage institutions (like museums, archives, or cultural sites), this refers to planning and processes that enable operations to continue or quickly resume after an emergency or disruption. A Business Continuity plan might cover backup sites for exhibitions, data recovery for digital archives, or temporary relocation of collections to ensure services and preservation activities are maintained.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Capacity is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Policies and practices put in place to ensure that children are safe from abuse or exploitation in all activities related to cultural heritage. This is especially relevant for heritage sites that involve children (like education programs, workshops in communities, or children performing in cultural events). Child safeguarding measures include vetting staff, providing training on child protection, and establishing clear reporting procedures for any concerns.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Citizen Science describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Cleaning is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Strategies and measures to protect cultural heritage from the effects of climate change. This includes adjusting how sites are managed in response to rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, more intense storms, or changing humidity patterns. Examples are installing better drainage at flood-prone historic sites, choosing climate-resistant materials for repairs, or documenting at-risk traditions so they are not lost due to environmental changes.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

A set of professional guidelines that outline the ethical responsibilities and appropriate conduct for individuals working in the heritage sector. For example, conservators, archaeologists, and museum professionals often follow a code of ethics that covers issues like honesty in research, respecting the cultural significance of artifacts, obtaining necessary permissions, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring the well-being of communities connected to the heritage.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Cold Chain (Heritage) is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Collections Care is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The shared pool of memories and knowledge held by a group of people, often passed through generations. It shapes a community’s understanding of its past and identity, as seen in shared narratives, monuments, or commemorative events.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Acts of remembrance honoring people or events of significance, often through ceremonies, memorials, or anniversaries. Communities commemorate to keep memories alive, using symbols or rituals to pay respect and reinforce shared history.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Community Consultation describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The process of enabling local communities to take an active, meaningful role in managing and protecting their own cultural heritage. This involves building skills, providing access to resources, and creating governance structures where community members can make decisions. Empowered communities are more likely to sustain heritage initiatives, as they feel ownership and responsibility over the outcomes.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Community Engagement involves actively involving local communities in decision-making, protection efforts, and recovery processes related to cultural heritage, recognizing them as key stakeholders and knowledge holders.

Source: UNESCO

The active involvement of local community members in the preservation, interpretation, and decision-making processes of cultural heritage. This goes beyond one-way communication – it includes workshops, community-led activities, volunteer programs, and forums where residents can share knowledge and voice concerns. Genuine community engagement helps make heritage initiatives more sustainable, as they reflect the community’s own priorities and foster local stewardship.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Community Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Community Warning is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Compatibility (Materials) is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Complaint Mechanism describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A systematic assessment of the current state of a heritage structure or collection, documenting any deterioration, damage, or risks. Professionals carry out condition surveys to understand conservation needs – for instance, noting cracks in a museum building, fading pigments on a painting, or pests in storage. The survey findings guide restoration priorities and the development of conservation or maintenance plans.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Conflict Resolution describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Conflict Sensitivity describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Conservation Ethics is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Conservation Management Plan is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

A conservation treatment focused on strengthening and stabilizing fragile materials or structures. For example, a crumbling wall painting or decaying wooden beam may be consolidated by impregnating it with a suitable resin or lime-based solution. Consolidation helps prevent further deterioration by binding weakened components together while minimally altering the object’s appearance.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Contamination Control is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Contingency Plan is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Contractor Compliance relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

An organized system or framework for different stakeholders to work together effectively during an emergency. In heritage protection, a coordination mechanism might involve cultural authorities, emergency services, local communities, and international experts sharing information and resources. Clear coordination ensures that efforts like damage assessment, salvage, and security are carried out without conflict or duplication.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Corrosion Inhibition is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Associations of artisans or craftspeople, especially common in medieval and early modern times, organized to regulate the training, quality, and trade of specific crafts. Guilds played a key role in transmitting traditional craftsmanship skills, setting standards, and protecting the interests of their members within a community.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Crisis Communication is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Cultural Appropriation describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Cultural Continuity refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Cultural Diversity refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

The gradual weakening or loss of a community’s traditional culture, typically due to external pressures like globalization, modernization, or displacement. Signs of cultural erosion include declining use of an ancestral language, fading traditional practices, or younger generations becoming disconnected from their heritage.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Cultural Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Cultural Heritage Protection refers to the safeguarding, conservation, and management of tangible and intangible heritage assets before, during, and after disasters. It aims to preserve historical, cultural, social, and identity-related values for present and future generations through preventive, emergency, and recovery measures.

Source: UNESCO, ICCROM

Cultural Identity refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Cultural Impact Assessment relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Cultural Landscape refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Cultural Mapping refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Cultural objects, traditions, or artworks that are considered the inalienable heritage of a community or nation. These are items of such importance (historically or spiritually) that they are often protected by law from being sold or exported, as they symbolically belong to the community at large rather than any single owner.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Cultural Property refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Cultural Property Export Permit relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

The capacity of a community’s cultural heritage – its traditions, values, and identity – to endure and recover from challenges or disruptions. A culturally resilient community adapts to change (such as migration, conflict, or disasters) while maintaining or reasserting its core cultural expressions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Deliberate efforts by communities to revive and strengthen fading or lost cultural practices and traditions. This can involve re-learning ancestral languages, re-establishing ceremonies, or reintroducing traditional arts and crafts to ensure they remain a vibrant part of community life.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Cultural Rights describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A thematic pathway or network that links multiple heritage sites and locations across one or more regions or countries. These routes are defined by a common historical, cultural, or artistic theme (such as a pilgrimage trail or trade route) and promote understanding of shared heritage through the journey.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Cultural Sensitivity describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Cultural Significance refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

The process by which knowledge, beliefs, languages, and skills of a culture are handed down from one generation to the next. It ensures continuity of heritage by teaching younger members of the community through practice, storytelling, and example.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Customs Seizure relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Damage Assessment is the process of systematically identifying, documenting, and evaluating physical, structural, and material damage to cultural heritage caused by disasters, forming the basis for stabilization and restoration decisions.

Source: ICOMOS, ICCROM

Damage Assessment is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Data Logger is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Data Protection describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Data Sharing Agreement relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Deacidification is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

A preservation technique used mainly for paper, books, and archival documents to neutralize acids and slow down deterioration. Paper manufactured from the 19th century onwards often contains acidic compounds that lead to yellowing and embrittlement. Deacidification treatments (such as spraying or immersion in alkaline solutions) raise the pH level of paper, extending the lifespan of these documents.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Debris Management is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Efforts to address and undo the legacy of colonialism in how cultural heritage is managed, interpreted, and represented. This can involve returning stolen artifacts to their countries or communities of origin (repatriation), revising museum exhibits that previously told history only from a colonial perspective, and supporting the heritage practices and voices of formerly colonized peoples to ensure their narratives are respected and central in heritage spaces.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Desalination is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

In conservation, the process of extracting harmful salts from porous materials like stone, pottery, or wall plasters. Salts often enter heritage objects through groundwater, sea spray, or previous cleaning chemicals and can cause damage by crystallizing and expanding inside the material (efflorescence). Desalination typically involves repeated soaking or poulticing to draw out the salts gently.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Cultural content and expressions that are created, stored, or presented in digital form. This includes digitized collections (like scanned manuscripts or 3D models of artifacts) and born-digital materials (such as digital art, photography, or oral history recordings), which require special care to preserve for future access.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Disaster Risk is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Disaster Risk Reduction is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Do No Harm describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A guiding principle originally from the medical field, applied in heritage and community work to mean that interventions should not inadvertently cause injury or adverse effects. In cultural heritage, Do No Harm reminds practitioners to consider the social and cultural ramifications of their actions – for instance, not disrupting local ways of life, not causing trauma by the way history is presented, or not taking measures that protect artifacts but endanger people.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Records and documents of important cultural value, such as manuscripts, archives, photographs, films, and sound recordings. This form of heritage, often preserved in libraries, archives, or museums, serves as a memory of society by capturing information and stories from the past.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Documentation is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Drainage Improvement is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Duty of Care describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A mechanism or network designed to detect signs of an impending hazard and deliver timely alerts, allowing preventive action to protect people and heritage. For example, sensors that monitor environmental conditions (flood levels, seismic activity) or community-based warning protocols can give heritage site managers and local residents advance notice to secure collections or evacuate.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Emergency Decree relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Emergency Funding is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Emergency Preparedness refers to planning, training, and resource allocation carried out in advance to ensure effective response to disasters affecting cultural heritage. It includes evacuation planning, safety protocols, and coordination with emergency services.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Emergency Preparedness is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Emergency Procurement is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Emergency Response is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Environmental Control is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The ongoing tracking of environmental conditions – such as temperature, humidity, light, and pollution – in spaces where cultural heritage is kept or displayed. By using sensors and data loggers, conservators ensure conditions remain within safe ranges. Proper environmental monitoring helps prevent damage like mold growth (if humidity is too high), cracking (if air is too dry), or fading of pigments (if light is too intense).

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Equity describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Ethical Field Conduct defines principles and behaviors that ensure respect for affected communities, cultural values, and human dignity during heritage protection activities. It emphasizes consent, sensitivity, and accountability in documentation and intervention processes.

Source: ICCROM

Ethical Field Conduct describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Ethics Review describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Evacuation is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Evacuation Route Planning is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

An official authorization required by law to take cultural property (such as antiquities, artworks, or historical objects) out of a country. Many nations have laws that designate certain heritage items as national treasures or culturally significant, and an export permit system ensures these items are reviewed before leaving the country (to prevent illegal trade or permanent loss of heritage).

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Exposure is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Short for the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, adopted in Faro, Portugal. This international agreement emphasizes a people-centered approach to heritage – recognizing that everyone has a right to engage with cultural heritage and highlighting the importance of heritage in building peaceful, democratic and sustainable societies. It encourages citizen participation and regards heritage as not only objects or sites, but the meanings and uses those hold for communities.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

The harm caused to structures, artifacts, or sites by fire and its effects (such as smoke and heat). In cultural heritage, fire damage can lead to loss of irreplaceable architecture, artworks, or archives. Understanding fire damage involves assessing burnt materials, structural stability, and the potential for restoration or consolidation of the remains.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Folklore refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Force Majeure relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Free, Prior and Informed Consent describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A principle affirming that communities (especially indigenous peoples) have the right to give or withhold consent to projects that affect their cultural heritage, before those projects start. Free means free of coercion, prior means sufficiently in advance, and informed means they have all the relevant information. In heritage management, this ensures that community voices are respected in decisions like excavations, tourism development, or use of traditional knowledge.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

GDPR (if applicable) relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Gap Filling is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Gastronomic Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Practices and policies that ensure all genders have equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from cultural heritage activities. In heritage conservation and community projects, gender inclusion might involve encouraging women’s leadership in what may have been male-dominated preservation fields, recognizing gender-specific heritage (like women’s oral traditions or crafts), and making sure interpretation at sites reflects the experiences of all genders.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Grievance Redress describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Hague Convention (1954) relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Handling Protocols is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Any potential source of harm or adverse effect on lives, property, or heritage. Hazards can be natural (such as earthquakes, floods, or hurricanes) or human-made (like fires, armed conflict, or vandalism). In risk management for cultural heritage, identifying hazards is the first step toward assessing risks and taking preventive measures to protect sites and collections.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Hazard Mapping is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Health and Safety Regulation relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Heritage Community refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Heritage Custodian refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Heritage Education refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Heritage Education Outreach describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Heritage Impact refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Heritage Impact Assessment relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A study conducted before a development project or policy is implemented, to evaluate its potential effects on cultural heritage sites and values. Similar to environmental impact assessments, a Heritage Impact Assessment looks at how construction, infrastructure, tourism expansion, or other changes might damage or alter heritage (from physical harm to changes in a site’s character or how the community uses it) and recommends measures to avoid or mitigate negative impacts.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Heritage Interpretation refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Heritage Register refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Heritage Risk Assessment is the systematic evaluation of potential threats to cultural heritage sites, including natural hazards, human-induced risks, and structural vulnerabilities, in order to prioritize protection and mitigation strategies.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Heritage Stewardship refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Heritage Tourism refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Heritage Values refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

A geographically defined urban or rural area recognized for its concentration of historic buildings, structures, or sites. Such districts reflect a common historical period or architectural style and are often protected by regulations to preserve their character.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

The practice and field dedicated to protecting, conserving, and restoring historic buildings, sites, and artifacts for the future. It involves research, planning, and interventions that respect the original character and significance of heritage places while keeping them functional and safe.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

An approach to urban heritage management that views historic cities not just as collections of monuments, but as living landscapes shaped by a layering of cultural and natural features. It emphasizes integrating heritage conservation with social and economic development in the entire urban context.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Human Remains Ethics describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Humanitarian Assistance is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

ICCROM relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

ICOM relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

The International Council on Monuments and Sites, a non-governmental professional organization dedicated to the conservation of the world’s historic monuments and sites. Comprising heritage experts from around the globe, ICOMOS advises UNESCO on cultural World Heritage Site nominations and monitoring. It also develops charters and principles (like the Venice Charter) that set international standards for best practice in heritage conservation.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

IUCN relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, an international organization that focuses on nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. In heritage terms, IUCN serves as the Advisory Body evaluating and monitoring natural and mixed (natural-cultural) World Heritage Sites. It brings expertise on biodiversity, geology, and ecosystem management to ensure that natural heritage is preserved alongside cultural heritage.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

The illegal trade, smuggling, or sale of cultural objects, which often involves artifacts being stolen from museums, looted from archaeological sites, or illegally exported from their country of origin. Illicit trafficking deprives communities of their heritage and is often linked with organized crime. Combating it requires international cooperation, laws like the UNESCO 1970 Convention, law enforcement efforts, and due diligence by collectors and dealers to ensure items have legal provenance.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Immovable Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Legal protections granted to cultural objects on temporary loan – typically from one country to another – ensuring they cannot be confiscated or subjected to legal claims while abroad. Museums often rely on immunity from seizure guarantees when they lend or borrow artworks and artifacts for exhibitions, to reassure the lending party that their property will be returned safely, without the risk of litigation or impoundment in the host country.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Import Restriction relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A legal measure by which a country prohibits or limits the import of certain cultural materials, usually to combat illicit trade. For instance, a nation might enforce import restrictions on archaeological artifacts from a country that has suffered major looting, honoring international agreements (like the UNESCO 1970 Convention) to help return stolen items and discourage smuggling by making it harder to find a market.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Incident Command System is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Inclusion describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The time-honored wisdom, know-how, and beliefs developed by indigenous communities through long-term interaction with their environment. It includes practices related to agriculture, medicine, cosmology, and resource management, and is transmitted orally or by example.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Historical sites, buildings, and objects associated with manufacturing, mining, transportation, and other industries. Examples include old factories, mills, railways, and machinery. Industrial heritage also covers the traditions and social history of workers and communities shaped by industrialization.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Informed Consent describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Inpainting is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

In heritage terms, insurance refers to financial protection plans that cultural institutions or owners take out to cover loss or damage to valuable artifacts, artworks, or historic properties. For example, a museum might insure a painting against theft or a historic house against fire. In the event of an incident, the insurance payout can fund conservation or reconstruction. Specialized policies (sometimes backed by governments for very high-value national treasures) help manage the risk of exhibiting or loaning items.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Insurance (Collections) relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Intangible Heritage Bearers refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Intangible Heritage Convention (2003) relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Integrated Pest Management is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

A preventive conservation approach to protect collections from pests (like insects or rodents) through a combination of practices. Rather than relying solely on chemical fumigants, Integrated Pest Management involves monitoring for pest activity, improving storage hygiene, controlling climate (pests thrive in certain humidity/temperature), and using traps or biological controls. The goal is to prevent infestations and avoid damage to organic materials such as textiles, wood, or paper.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Integrity refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Intergenerational Equity describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A World Heritage nomination submitted by two or more countries for a single site or a related series. It requires coordinated management and shared responsibilities across borders.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

The section of a heritage nomination that explains why a property meets inscription criteria and demonstrates its significance. It summarizes evidence for value, integrity, and authenticity.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A Japanese repair practice that mends broken ceramics with lacquer and powdered metal, making cracks visible. It treats damage as part of an object’s history and meaning.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

The systematic capture, organization, and sharing of knowledge to support consistent decision-making. In heritage work, it helps preserve institutional memory and improve continuity.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Language as Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Laser Scanning is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Liability Waiver relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Licensing relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Light Level Control is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Cultural knowledge and practices that are actively maintained and passed on within communities today. It highlights that heritage is not only about preserving the past, but also about ongoing, evolving traditions that give communities a sense of identity and continuity.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Local Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Local Knowledge describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Logistics Cluster is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Looting Prevention is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Maintenance Plan is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The cultural and material legacy connected to human interaction with the sea. It encompasses traditions of seafaring, shipbuilding, navigation, fishing practices, as well as related artifacts, historic ships, coastal sites, and folklore of maritime communities.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Material Analysis is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Memorandum of Understanding (Community) describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Microclimate is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Actions taken to reduce the severity of a disaster’s impact on cultural heritage. Mitigation measures can be structural (for example, reinforcing a historic building to better withstand earthquakes) or non-structural (like creating firebreaks around an archaeological site or developing emergency plans). Effective mitigation lowers risk by addressing weaknesses before a hazard strikes.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Modern Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Moisture Management is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Mold Remediation is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The process of safely removing mold growth from heritage objects or within historic buildings. Mold can occur on organic materials (paper, textiles, wood) in damp conditions, causing stains and weakening the material. Remediation involves first drying and stabilizing the environment, then cleaning or treating affected items with appropriate methods (like HEPA vacuuming, alcohol wiping, or specialized biocides) to eliminate mold and prevent its return.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Monument refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Movable Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Mud and Silt Contamination is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Mutual Aid is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

National Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

National Heritage Law relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Natural sites or values recognized for their cultural significance or outstanding beauty, often included in heritage discussions alongside cultural heritage. Examples are distinctive landscapes, geological formations, or biodiversity (flora and fauna) that a community values as part of its heritage and identity.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Non-Destructive Testing is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Open Data Policy relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Operational Guidelines relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A detailed handbook issued by UNESCO to guide the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. The Operational Guidelines explain the procedures for nominating sites to the World Heritage List, criteria for selection, how sites should be managed and reported on, and the roles of various bodies (like advisory organizations and the World Heritage Committee). They are periodically revised and serve as the practical rulebook for States Parties and heritage managers.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A method of preserving history by recording or recounting personal memories and community stories. It involves spoken testimonies that provide first-hand accounts of past events, ensuring that experiences and traditions are remembered and shared.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Oral History Ethics describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Oral Tradition refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Participatory Mapping describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Partnership Agreement describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A formal arrangement between two or more parties outlining how they will work together on a heritage initiative. For example, a community group and a national museum might sign a partnership agreement to co-curate an exhibit or to share management of a cultural site. The agreement typically defines roles, responsibilities, resource sharing, and decision-making processes, helping to ensure clarity and mutual respect in the collaboration.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The thin layer or film that forms on the surface of an object over time due to age or chemical reactions. Patina can appear as a greenish layer on bronze statues, a mellow sheen on old wood, or the weathered texture on antique furniture. In conservation, patina is often valued as part of an object’s history – conservators aim to preserve it when possible, as it can indicate authenticity and age, whereas removing it might diminish the item’s historical character.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The legacy of traditional music, dance, theater, and other performance-based arts transmitted through generations. It encompasses the skills, creative expressions, and cultural meanings associated with performances in a community.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Periodic Reporting relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A regular process under UNESCO conventions where States Parties report on the status and conservation of the sites or elements inscribed under those conventions. For World Heritage Sites, for example, countries must submit periodic reports outlining the condition of the sites, any threats faced, and actions taken. This mechanism helps the international community monitor the preservation of heritage and identify needs for support or corrective measures.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A technique that uses photographs to measure and create accurate 2D or 3D representations of objects and sites. In heritage conservation, photogrammetry is used to document artifacts or architecture in detail by taking overlapping images and processing them with software to generate scaled models or maps. It’s a valuable tool for recording the condition of a site, monitoring changes, or assisting in virtual reconstruction.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Photography Consent describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Pigment Identification is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

A journey undertaken for spiritual or cultural reasons to a site of special significance. Pilgrimages are traditional in many religions and cultures – travelers (pilgrims) often follow ancestral routes to sacred shrines or holy places, seeking personal meaning, healing, or fulfillment as part of their heritage practice.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

A detailed evaluation conducted after a disaster to determine the extent of damage and the needs for recovery and reconstruction, including in the culture sector. In heritage protection, a PDNA examines impacts on cultural sites, institutions, and practices, and helps plan the resources and actions required to restore and safeguard them.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Post-Disaster Response involves coordinated actions taken immediately after a disaster to ensure human safety, stabilize damaged heritage sites, prevent further loss, and document impacts. These actions form the foundation for recovery and long-term conservation planning.

Source: UNDRR, ICCROM

Preservation is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Preventive Conservation focuses on proactive measures taken to minimize future deterioration or damage to cultural heritage by controlling environmental conditions, managing risks, and applying protective strategies before disasters occur.

Source: ICOM-CC

Preventive Conservation is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Regular, planned maintenance activities aimed at keeping heritage buildings and objects in good condition and preventing small issues from becoming major problems. This can include cleaning gutters on historic roofs to avoid water damage, periodically inspecting and treating wooden beams for pests, or tuning climate control systems in archives. Preventive maintenance is cost-effective and extends the life of heritage assets by addressing wear and tear early.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Privacy in Documentation describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Private Property Permission relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Protected Area Regulation relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Provenance refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Provenance Due Diligence relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A risk evaluation method that uses descriptive scales for likelihood and impact rather than numeric estimates. It supports prioritization when data are limited but expert judgment is available.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

A risk evaluation method that uses numerical data to estimate probability and potential impact of hazards. It supports data-driven prioritization and resource allocation for protection measures.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

The isolation of incoming or suspect items to prevent pests or mold from spreading to a collection. Items are inspected and treated before entering main storage.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Rapid Assessment is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Reactive Monitoring relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Reattachment is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The process of rebuilding or repairing cultural heritage structures that have been destroyed or heavily damaged. Reconstruction can range from anastylosis (reassembling original pieces of a ruined structure) to constructing accurate replicas of historic buildings. It often raises important debates about authenticity and memory – whether to rebuild as it was, adapt to modern needs, or preserve ruins as memorials.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Recovery is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Recovery Plan is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Red List (ICOM) relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

In disaster management, rehabilitation refers to the phase of recovery where essential services and normal life begin to be restored after an emergency. For cultural heritage, rehabilitation may involve reopening a damaged museum, re-establishing security and climate control for collections, or providing support to communities to restart cultural activities, serving as a bridge between immediate relief and long-term reconstruction.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Relative Humidity Control is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Relief Operations is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Remedial Conservation is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The process of returning cultural artifacts, human remains, or other heritage items to their country of origin or to descendant communities. Repatriation often occurs in response to past wrongful removals (such as colonial-era looting or excavations without consent). Successful repatriation efforts involve legal and ethical negotiations and can help restore cultural heritage to communities, allowing them to reconnect with and care for those items.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Respect for Dignity describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Respectful Interviewing describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Restitution relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Restoration is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Retreatability is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

A core principle in conservation which holds that any treatment applied to a heritage object or structure should be undoable in the future without harm. For instance, if a protective coating or adhesive is used, it should be possible to remove it later. Reversibility is important because conservation techniques and materials evolve – future conservators might need to retreat an item, and they prefer not to be impeded by permanent changes made by earlier restorers.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Risk Assessment is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Risk Awareness Campaign describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Risk Communication is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Traditional ceremonies, celebrations, and social practices that are passed down within a community, often marking important cultural or religious occasions. They are key expressions of a community’s identity and intangible cultural heritage.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Rumor Control describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Guidelines established to handle and care for sacred or culturally sensitive objects in collections with the appropriate respect. Such a protocol might detail who is allowed to view or touch an object, ceremonies or rituals that should accompany its display or movement, terminology to use in cataloging, and steps for consultation with the source community. The goal is to honor the spiritual significance of the object rather than treating it as a mere artifact.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A place revered for spiritual or religious reasons, regarded as holy or imbued with special meaning by a particular community. Sacred sites – such as temples, churches, shrines, burial grounds, or natural features like mountains and groves – are often key parts of cultural heritage and require respectful management.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Measures and strategies aimed at ensuring that living cultural traditions (such as songs, crafts, and ceremonies) continue to thrive. This can include documentation, education, legal protection, or community support to help practitioners transmit their knowledge to future generations.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Safeguarding People describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Safety Perimeter is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Salt Efflorescence is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The process of deciding which objects or parts of a heritage site to rescue or stabilize first after a disaster. Because time and resources are limited in emergencies, heritage responders rank items by significance and vulnerability – for example, prioritizing irreplaceable artifacts or structurally critical elements for immediate salvage.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Sanctions Compliance relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Search and Rescue is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Second Protocol (1999) relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Seismic Code relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Upgrades made to historic buildings or monuments to improve their structural performance during earthquakes. Techniques for seismic retrofitting include installing reinforcement (like steel rods, braces, or base isolators), strengthening connections between walls and floors, or using newer materials like fiber wraps on masonry. The challenge is to enhance safety and stability while also respecting the building’s historical fabric and appearance.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Shared Authority describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A collaborative approach to heritage interpretation and management in which professionals (like museum curators or site managers) actively share decision-making power with community members or descendant groups. Instead of experts unilaterally determining how to present history or care for collections, shared authority invites those who inherit or are represented by the heritage to co-create narratives and policies, leading to more inclusive and accepted outcomes.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Sheltering is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Site Buffer Zone refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Site Safety Briefing is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

A place – which can be a location, landmark, or landscape – that holds significant historical memory for a group of people. Sites of memory are often associated with notable or traumatic events (such as battlefields, memorials, or former institutions) and serve as focal points for remembrance and education.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Situation Report is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Social License to Operate describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The level of acceptance or approval by local communities and stakeholders for a heritage project or institution. It’s an informal, intangible permission – a museum or excavation might have legal permits, but the social license depends on whether the community feels the activity is respectful, beneficial, and aligned with their values. Earning and maintaining a social license involves trust-building, dialogue, and demonstrating social value.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

The unique atmosphere, character, or feeling that a location evokes, shaped by its history, environment, and cultural associations. Also known by the French term genius loci, it refers to the intangible essence that makes a heritage place special or meaningful to people.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Stakeholder describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Stakeholder Engagement describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The practice of involving all parties who have an interest or stake in a cultural heritage project throughout its planning and implementation. Stakeholders can include local residents, indigenous groups, government agencies, funders, NGOs, and researchers. Effective engagement means communicating transparently, seeking input, and collaborating on decisions so that the project respects the needs and values of those affected.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Statement of Significance refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Storage Supports is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Structural Assessment is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Structural Shoring is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

The gentle removal of dirt, soot, corrosion, or biological growth from the surface of heritage objects or materials. This may involve dry methods (like brushes, vacuuming) or wet methods (using water, solvents, or special cleaning solutions) depending on the item’s sensitivity. Surface cleaning improves appearance and can slow deterioration (for example, removing pollutants that might acidicly corrode stone or metal).

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Tangible Cultural Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Temperature Control is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Temporary Stabilization is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Temporary Storage is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Tentative List relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Textile Conservation is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Traditional Craftsmanship refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Long-established cultural practices, norms, and rituals that are characteristic of a particular community or group. These can include greetings, dress codes, dietary rules, or family ceremonies, reflecting a community’s values and way of life.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The accumulated knowledge and understanding of the natural environment that indigenous and local communities develop over centuries. TEK includes insights on weather patterns, animal behaviors, planting cycles, and sustainable resource use, reflecting a close relationship between cultural practices and the ecosystem.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Long-standing knowledge, know-how, and practices developed by communities over generations, especially related to their environment, health, and way of life. This can include knowledge of plant medicines, sustainable farming, weather forecasting, or crafting techniques, and is usually transmitted through oral tradition and example.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Transparency describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Treatment Report is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Triage for Collections is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Trust Building describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

UNESCO relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

UNESCO 1970 Convention relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

UNIDROIT Convention (1995) relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

UV Filtration is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Underwater Cultural Heritage refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

A UNESCO treaty formally known as the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. It sets out guidelines and legal frameworks for preserving shipwrecks, sunken cities, and other submerged heritage. The convention discourages treasure-hunting and commercial exploitation of underwater sites, promoting instead scientific research and in-situ preservation (leaving items under water when feasible) so that these relics of human history are protected for future generations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

Varnish Removal is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Vernacular Architecture refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

Volunteer Management is a concept or practice used to reduce harm from hazards and manage emergencies affecting people, assets, and heritage. It supports preparedness, response, and recovery decisions with clear roles and prioritized actions.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Volunteer Safety describes ethical principles or engagement practices that protect people, respect communities, and improve collaboration in heritage work. It emphasizes consent, accountability, and culturally appropriate decision-making.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

The degree to which a heritage site, object, or community is susceptible to damage from hazards. Vulnerability depends on factors like the fragility of materials, the structural integrity of buildings, the presence of protective measures, and the preparedness of staff. High vulnerability means even a moderate hazard could cause severe harm to the heritage asset.

Source: UNDRR, UNESCO

Deterioration or loss resulting from water exposure, whether from flooding, leaks, firefighting efforts, or high humidity. For heritage objects and buildings, water can cause warping, staining, corrosion, mold growth, or structural failures. Mitigating water damage involves drying out materials carefully, cleaning deposits like mud or salt, and stabilizing affected structures.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Wind Reinforcement is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Wood Conservation is a conservation approach or technique used to stabilize, preserve, or restore heritage materials and structures. It aims to protect significance while minimizing unnecessary change and documenting all interventions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

World Heritage Centre relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

World Heritage Committee relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

World Heritage Convention (1972) relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

World Heritage List relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

World Heritage Site refers to cultural expressions, places, or objects valued for their historical, artistic, social, or spiritual meaning. It helps communities maintain identity and continuity while guiding protection and responsible use.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS

World Heritage in Danger List relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

A non-destructive analytical technique used to identify the elemental composition of materials. It helps conservators understand pigments, alloys, and corrosion products without sampling.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

Hostility toward perceived outsiders that can motivate discrimination, neglect, or attacks on their cultural heritage. It raises protection and ethics concerns in conflict and crisis settings.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

A gradual discoloration of paper, textiles, or coatings caused by aging and chemical change. It can signal deterioration and guides preventive conservation actions.

Source: ICCROM, ICOMOS

The meaningful involvement of young people in heritage learning, stewardship, and decision-making. It builds long-term capacity and strengthens community ownership of heritage protection.

Source: ICCROM, UNESCO

Land-use rules that define protected areas and regulate development to conserve historic character. Zoning can limit demolition, inappropriate alterations, and incompatible new construction.

Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM

The study of animal remains from archaeological contexts to understand past diets, environments, and human–animal relationships. Findings inform interpretation of sites and cultural practices.

Source: UNESCO, ICOMOS