Caption: Dr Anita Smith talks to Fiji One.
Suva, Fiji – THE national heritage managers from around the region who converged in Suva for a weeklong training on site management will produce an action plan that is likely to map the way forward for them.
The plan is to assist them in managing their national heritage sites. Archaeologist Dr Anita Smith, who is facilitating this training said that by the end of the week, all the regional site managers would discuss and come up with a plan.
Dr Smith a consultant with UNESCO’s World Heritage sites said countries from around the region who were part of the course had presented their country reports.
All site managers have highlighted the threats that were unique to their national heritage sites. Among other issues, the site managers had raised how they need funds to help manage their sites.
Dr Smith said that heritage management was a process for looking after a place that one considered important so that it could be valued, enjoyed and used by future generations.
“A management plan ensures the long term sustainable future of places we value when managing change while protecting what is important to us,” she said.
She said all management plans include similar essential components whether they were for cultural, natural, marine, forest, archaeological, built heritage or cultural landscapes.”
Participants from Tonga, Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Fiji are here for the course.
The training, a first of its kind for the region is organised by the Pacific Heritage Hub, UNESCO Pacific States Office in Apia, Samoa and in collaboration with the University of the South Pacific. The site managers will be touring the sand dunes in Sigatoka, Wednesday, February 19.
MERESEINI MARAU