Mosi-Oa-Tunya is a site inscribed on the World Heritage List for its outstanding natural heritage value, however, the site is also associated with key spiritual and religious values that are recognised by communities and people locally, regionally and even internationally. The exercise of cultural mapping has allowed the management of the site to gain a broader understanding of the multilayered significance of site and the different values attributed to it by different stakeholders and rights holders. Through cultural mapping the site is embodied with military values, archaeological values, anthropological values and cultural ecology values, historical architecture values to name a few.
Cultural mapping, with the involvement of multiple local actors and communities, has brought to a wider recognition of the site’s significance and values which has brought to the attention the multiple interconnections between natural and cultural values, and the need to safeguard both for the long-term safeguarding of the site.
The acknowledgement of the essential role played by local and indigenous communities is the backbone of this building block and the build up to an inclusive value-assessment of the site.
Additionally, the participation of site manager’s in regional and international capacity building activities and training courses on nature-culture linkages in the conservation of World Heritage properties and the exchange with other site manager’s dealing with similarly complex sites is vital.
The key lesson learned from this exercise is that Mosi-Oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage Site is not only a natural World Heritage site, but also an important cultural site and landscape. Through cultural mapping, the multilayered significance of the site has brought to a wider understanding of the property’s values and the multiple interconnections between natural and cultural values as well as the important role played by communities in the identification and safeguarding of the cultural and some of the natural values of the site.
The exercise of cultural mapping has also been an opportunity to bring together institutional stakeholders and local communities, building closer partnerships and opportunities for the inclusion of local actors in decision-making, conservation and management activities.
The key principle behind the governance and management structure of Mosi-Oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage Site is critical stakeholder engagement, an approach that aims at including planning and decision-making processes with all key stakeholders and rights holders: from the governments and relevant institutional authorities of Zambia and Zimbabwe to local communities and actors.
Critical stakeholder engagement as a process works on building trust and cooperation between institutional and non-institutional stakeholders. Through this process, local actors and communities are empowered in the exercise of their stewardship towards the site, which further inspires them to engage in conservation and management activities for the long-term safeguarding of the site’s natural and cultural heritage values.
The building block is enabled by the official recognition of local actors and stakeholders as part of the Steering Committee through the Joint Integrated Management Plan and established agreements between the States Parties of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
With more people settling outside the boundaries of the site, the recognition of the importance of local actors and Traditional Knowledge Systems have allowed for the increased participation of local and indigenous communities as stewards and custodians of the site and its values.
Critical stakeholder engagement requires a wide understanding of the site and its multilayered significance in order to fully appreciate the relevance and importance attributed to the site by different right holders and stakeholders’ groups. An essential aspect of this process is the creation of an inclusive space for dialogue, in this case the Joint Steering Committee, in which stakeholders can discuss critical issues. These debates follow principles of avoiding situations of antagonism. The constant consultation and involvement has allowed for the early recognition and tackling of possible conflicts.
These processes have allowed for a major recognition of the important role played by local right holders, stakeholders and institutions in the management and conservation of the site and has created spaces for communities to be actively involved in conservation work. It has been fully understood that local communities are the experts in the conservation of the cultural values and attributes of the site, traditional knowledge that has since been incorporated as a key element of the strategies of the joint integrated management plan .
Incorporating traditional knowledge Systems in management and safeguarding activities
Educating new generations
Sceilg Michíl Stakholder Forum
Site visit to Skellig Michael.
Office of Public Works
An essential component for the effective management of Scelig Michíl is the establishment of channels for communication and exchange with the multiple local governmental, institutional and private stakeholders based on the Iveragh peninsula, among which there are local communities, public agencies, interest groups dealing with the management of the site, private owners, boatmen, tourism and service industry. The forum is a space in which stakeholders and interest groups can communicate with the site management team and address issues of mutual interest and to inform decision-making processes. Additionally, the forum offers a space to promote public awareness and pursue the engagement of the local stakeholders with the World Heritage property of Scelig Michíl.
The forum is organized and coordinated by the OPW in cooperation with Skellig Michael Implementation Group and it includes representatives of all relevant interes groups.
This approach is fundamental also in view of strengthening existing cooperation with national and local partners in the development of a sustainable tourism strategy for the site, a project that has already begun in 2017 with the comprehensive Visitor Experience Development Plan that was published as a result of the cooperation between OPW, Failté Ireland and local stakeholders.
The creation of a forum has been enabled through the experience of close cooperation carried out by Office of Public Works (OPW) which in the management of the site and the cooperation with local community . This cooperation has been long harnessed through the constant and long-term presence of the management team on site and the active involvement with local communities, including both public and private bodies.
Communities and local actors have a fundamental role in the effective management of Scelig Michíl. The forum itself is the result of the lessons learned during the implementation of the 2008-2018 World Heritage Management plan and the overall conservation and management of the island in the past four decades.
The effective management of a heritage place and particularly of a World Heritage properties requires the establishment of an adequate structure of communication and consultation with local communities, key public and private stakeholders to ensure that decisions are taken with in an informed manner and after adequate consultation.
The implementation of the previous plan has underlined the importance of holding regular meetings with communities, local authorities, local interests groups to discuss specific areas of interest, and the forum offers a change to bring together all relevant stakeholders for more comprehensive discussions on the conservation of the site as well as its sustainable use.
Managing Scheilg Michíl as an evolved cultural landscape
Lighthouse on the Great Skellig.
Office of Public Works.
The early religious settlement of Sceilg Mhichíl.
Office of Public Works
Rocky steps to Sceilg Mhichíl.
Office of Public Works
Oratory
Office of Public Works
The landscape setting of Scelig Michíl are vital components for the conservation and protection of the Outstanding Universal Value of the site, for this reason the site of Scelig Michíl is not managed separately as an archaeological site and a natural protected areas but it is managed as an evolved cultural landscape made of cultural and natural values that have been shaped over more than 1300 years of history.
The management of the site requires a careful balancing between natural, cultural and socio-economic values; and the use of the place. The management strategy looks not only at the conservation of the built heritage and the physical fabric of the site but also at the conservation and enhancement of the setting of the place through cooperation among cultural and environmental bodies (institutional, governmental and non-governmental).
The conservation of the cultural attributes of the site requires to consider an overarching set of possible challenges of geological, environmental, cultural but also climatic nature. Additionally, the conservation of the setting of the landscape and the way in which the place is experiences is further enhanced by the limited accessibility to the island, which is required for reasons of security, carrying capacity and for the adequate conservation of bird breeding grounds.
The management strategy is enabled by the recognition of Scelig Michíl as a cultural landscape created by the interaction between humans and this extraordinary sea- and landscape.
The management plan has been developed and is being implemented through a consensus-based committee led by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Geltacht (DCHG) and comprising experts from the Office of Public Works (OPW), the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the National Monument Service (NMS).
The work towards the management of Scelig Michíl as a cultural landscape considering both natural and cultural values has been a work in progress that has built on the experience made in the past five decades of management and conservation of the place.
This conservation approach requires a thorough cooperation and coordination among natural and cultural institutional and governmental bodies, the values of the site have to be adequately shared and understood to allow for decision to be taken with the consensus of all relevant stakeholders.
Identification and consideration of both natural and cultural values for the management of Sceilg Michíl
View of Little Skellig from Sceilg Mhichíl.
Office of Public Works
Great Skellig.
Office of Public Works
Puffin
Office of Public Works
Scelig Michíl was inscribed on the World Heritage list for its unique cultural values as a striking early example of remote monasticism. In the management of this site, the significance identified in the OUV is complemented with a deeper understanding of the the interconnected nature-culture significance of the site and management and conservation decisions are met also considering natural, intangible and socio-economic values. In order to fully understand significance of Scelig Michíl as a cultural landscape and as an example of early remote monasticism, there is the need to acknowledge and consider the intrinsic natural values of the place and its role as a striking setting for this monastic archaeological site.
The management plan has committed to further explore the natural heritage of the island, which is internationally recognised and protected as a Special Protection Area and a Nature Reserve, looking at further strengthening the cooperate on between the site management team, the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This includes the preparation of adequate assessment when maintenance and conservation works are planned for the archaeological remains on the island and the inclusion of site-specific conservation objectives and counts for the bird and floral species on the island.
The management plan 2020-2030 builds on the experience and lessons learned from the previous cycle of management planning (2008-2018) and the long experience and involvement of key stakeholders in the management and conservation of this site.
The building block is further supported by the existing cooperation between cultural and national agencies at the national and local level (from the national ministries to Kerry County Council).
The conservation of the World Heritage Status and the Special Protected Areas requires a comprehensive understanding of the multi-layered significance of Scelig Michíl as a bird breeding ground, as a biodiversity area and as an archaeological site.
In order to fully understand the significance of Scelig Michíl as a unique example of remote monasticism, one needs to fully understand the spectrum of values that build the significance of the site from both a cultural and natural per perspective. Additionally, the long-terms conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of is directly dependent with the conservation of the natural environment of Great Skellig and the Skellig SPA.
Identification and consideration of both natural and cultural values for the management of Sceilg Michíl
Managing Scheilg Michíl as an evolved cultural landscape
Sceilg Michíl Stakholder Forum
Museum network and cultural itineraries
Museum activities
Fondazione Dolomiti UNESCO
Museum activities in the Dolomites region
Fondazione Dolomiti UNESCO
The network is an opportunity to explore the Dolomites’ cultural richness in connection to its Outstanding Universal Value, though a series of multilingual (including minorities) museums located in mountain communities and cultural itineraries made to explore the Dolomites and its people and history. As museum play a key role in the life of local communities and they support the recording of local history and experiences through time, these places are also fundamental for communicating the values of the Dolomites through several natural and cultural perspectives.
Museums and cultural itineraries play a key role in raising awareness on the life of local communities and the experience lived by these territories from prehistory, through the two world wars until today, through events that have deeply shaped the cultural and social communities of this areas. The network of museums is a key platform for the direct interaction with local communities and for these communities to share their knowledge about the Dolomites and the historical events that have shaped its landscapes.
Last but not least, the offer a chance for people with physical disabilities to explore the Dolomites in an accessible way
The existence of several museums across the territory of the Dolomites which were interested in working together to raise awareness on natural, cultural and historical aspects of these areas and their communities.
These territorial museums have a role in the life of local communities and they have a purpose in the education of visitors exploring the Dolomites both at a high and low altitude.
The strong and comprehensive network of institutional and informal stakeholders that is managed through the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation
Raising awareness on the Dolomites and its natural values requires the understanding of their natural, social and cultural setting. As the Dolomites extend across an area of great cultural richness which is both source of unique cultural values and mirror of a complex mosaic of local identities of communities that are culturally and socially diverse.
Museums, with their strong local declination and their deep permeation in the social and cultural tissues of different areas of the Dolomites, are a great platform to be actively and meaningfully engaged in the lives of communities and to allow them to share their knowledge and memories, which are valuable information for the effective management of the Dolomites and its multilayered values
Awareness raising through the experience of local people and communities
Awareness raising on the values of the Dolomites as a World Heritage property is necessary for the long term conservation of the place but also a provision of the World Heritage Convention.
In order to further advance awareness raising efforts among citizens, communities and local actors living insider and nearby the Dolomites, the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation has created a weekly television segment called Noi, Dolomiti UNESCO” (in English “We are the UNESCO Dolomites”) in which are presented the experiences and lives of people living, operating and/or working inside the territory of the Dolomites. The series is televised through the main television channels of the five provinces and the two regions in which the Dolomites are located, and via YouTube.
This activity aims at raising awareness at the wider level of regional and territorial communities, focusing on the natural and cultural values of the site but also exploring the social and economic lives of local communities and people.
Active engagement of local stakeholders, producers and communities living in the area of the Dolomites through established formal and informal networks, from the experience of the Dolomites 2040 process to the network of mountain huts and producers.
Agreements with local media networks and channels.
The UNESCO World Heritage status is complex to understand for individuals not literate in the language and proceedings of the World Heritage Convention. “Noi Dolomiti UNESCO” lets local people speak for the Site with their own words and therefore this series humanizes the issue of protecting the natural and cultural values of the site This is one way to offer a window in understanding the cooperation network behind the complex management system in place but also to raise awareness on the work done by local communities in conserving the multilayered values of the Dolomites its landscapes
