|
|
|
U.S. State Department Launches
Iraq Cultural Heritage Project
October 16, 2008
|
|
|
First Lady Laura Bush announces the implementation of the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project at a ceremony hosted by the Iraq Embassy in Washington, D.C.
© White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
|
|
First lady Laura Bush announced the implementation of the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project (ICHP), a major effort launched by the U.S. Department of State to preserve the archaeological and cultural treasures of Iraq.
Appearing October 16 at a ceremony hosted by the Embassy of Iraq in Washington the First Lady said, “Today, I'm pleased to announce the launch of the Iraq Cultural Heritage Project. This project will build the capacity of Iraq's museums and other cultural institutions to overcome the decades of conflict and isolation. It will draw on the expertise of the U.S. National Park Service and private cultural institutions in the United States.”
Mrs. Bush further noted, “The Iraq Cultural Heritage Project will promote national unity by highlighting the rich heritage that all Iraqis share. And the Project will benefit all humanity by preserving the great historic sites, archaeological wonders, and cultural objects that tell the story of the world's earliest communities. The United States is proud to partner with Iraq as it rebuilds its capacity to safeguard its birthplace of human civilization.”
The ICHP, to begin immediately and take place over a two-year period, will be carried out with the guidance and cooperation of the Iraq Ministry of Culture, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Its three main areas of activity include:
1) The establishment of a Conservation and Historic Preservation Institute in Erbil;
2) Improvements to the professional environment within the Iraq National Museum in Baghdad, including rehabilitation of the museum infrastructure, design and development of new collections storage facilities, improvements to museum gallery space and to the museum’s conservation laboratory; and
3) The development of a Professional Training and Capacity Building program for Iraqi archaeology and museum professionals in collections management, conservation, education, and management, along with the publication of scholarly reports on archaeological research in Iraq by Iraqi archaeologists, and the development of research library collections in Baghdad and Mosul.
The U.S. Department of State recognizes the scope of the challenge faced by Iraq to protect and preserve a rich and fragile cultural legacy that is part of humanity’s heritage. The United States is committed to supporting the Iraqi government and people as they rebuild their country and work to restore its heritage for future generations.
|
Links of interest
Mrs. Bush’s Remarks at the Launch of the "Iraq Cultural Heritage Project"
Media Note: U.S. Department of State Implements Iraq Cultural Heritage Project
Fact Sheet: Iraq Cultural Heritage Project (ICHP)
America.gov: U.S. State Department Launches Iraq Cultural Heritage Project:
First lady Laura Bush announces effort to preserve historic treasures
|
|
|
Cultural Preservation News from the
U.S. Department of State, September, 2008
|
The U.S. State Department announced two series of Ambassadors Fund
for Cultural Preservation Awards and an extended
agreement to further protect the archaeological heritage
of Cambodia.
Read more
|
The U.S. Mission Hosts “Picturing America”:
A Weeklong Exhibition and Events at UNESCO,
Sept. 30 – Oct. 7, 2008
|
On September 30, Ambassador Louise Oliver was joined by Dr. Bruce Cole, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and Dr. Anne-Imelda Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, in opening the weeklong “Picturing America” exposition at UNESCO.
Read more
|
180th UNESCO Executive Board, Octobre 8, 2008
Statement by Ambassador Louise V. Oliver (As delivered)
Permanent Delegate of the United States of America
|
...Everyone at UNESCO knows that education is the key to a life of dignity and opportunity, and yet we constantly allow ourselves to get distracted by other less important issues. Social and economic development requires an educated population, as does progress towards other desirable goals, such as improved health and gender equality. Therefore, we must make sure that our education initiatives get the resources that they need to produce quality results.
Read more
|
|
|
