Coronavirus GA2020 Statement 1 – March 2020

We understand many of you may have concerns about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and how that may affect GA2020 in Sydney, this coming October.

Australia ICOMOS and the GA2020 team are monitoring the COVID-19 situation, which is changing very rapidly at present. At this time, there are a range of restrictions in place, which affect travel to Australia. As this is a rapidly-evolving situation, it is not possible to provide advice about travel in September / October, nor to speculate about the prospect that GA2020 may be amended, deferred or cancelled.

We will at all times place the health and safety of GA2020 delegates at the forefront of our decision making. We will follow advice of the World Health Organisation and will comply with the requirements of the Australian Government.

We may issue a revised registration timetable and updated cancellation and refund policy – and would do so well before the current GA2020 early bird registration date of 3 June 2020.

Message from the Australia ICOMOS President

Welcome!

On behalf of Australia ICOMOS, I am delighted to invite delegates from around the world to Sydney for the 20th Triennial General Assembly of ICOMOS in October 2020!

Together we can learn from each other and promote excellent cultural heritage practices.

Sydney is a destination that offers unrivalled natural and cultural beauty with world-class facilities, including our stunning new International Convention Centre, all in the inspirational setting of Sydney Harbour.

The core General Assembly will occur between 5 and 9 October, 2020 within an exciting ten day program of site visits, workshops, lectures, expert meetings and social gatherings. Venues will include the World Heritage listed Sydney Opera House, Greater Blue Mountains and Australian Convict Sites World Heritage Properties amongst a wide variety of other Aboriginal and colonial cultural places. We will meet amidst Sydney’s vibrant Indigenous and multicultural communities.

The theme of the four day Scientific Symposium: ‘Shared Cultures – Shared Heritage – Shared Responsibility’, reflects the global context of heritage as part of cultural identity at a time of rapid population shift, conflict and environmental uncertainty. The important notion of shared stewardship, for which the ‘culture-nature journey’ is of particular relevance, requires agreed approaches to the sustainable protection, conservation and safeguarding of heritage.

Australia ICOMOS has one of the largest and most active ICOMOS national committees, and with strong support from the Australian and NSW State Governments and the City of Sydney, we are thrilled to bring an ICOMOS General Assembly to the Pacific region for the first time.

Please join us at the General Assembly – not only to visit Sydney, but to make this event the cornerstone of a visit to the iconic cultural and natural heritage of Australia!

Helen Lardner
President, Australia ICOMOS

Sustainability: Towards a sustainable GA2020:

We aim to make GA2020 a carbon neutral and sustainable event. Our Sustainability Guide for GA2020 will help make the event environmentally and socially sustainable. Our Aboriginal Procurement Policy will create opportunities for Aboriginal owned businesses and employment. We encourage all sponsors, exhibitors, providers and delegates to read and use these policies.

We urge delegates to help reduce the GA2020 carbon footprint. Please purchase airline carbon offsets and use public transport in Sydney. We aim to minimise conference paper handouts and consumption through GA2020. Reusable water bottles will be provided but we ask delegates to bring their own reusable cups.

For more on sustainability at the GA click here

ICOMOS GA2020 Fast Facts:

• Dates: 1-10 October 2020
• Venue: International Convention Centre (ICC Sydney) right in the heart of Sydney
• Audience: Expected 1,500 professionals from across the globe representing heritage, archaeology, historians, urban planning, architects and academia just to name a few, providing unrivalled access to high-calibre specialist knowledge and delivering a boost to‘grass roots’ interest in cultural heritage and conservation work throughout Australia and globally.
• Legacy: Aligning with the GA2020 Theme of “Shared Cultures – Shared Heritage – Shared Responsibility”, sponsors will be an integral part of the legacy to the management of cultural heritage and the communities that value and care for it in Australia and globally.