Learn & Discover

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