1  What is ICOMOS ?

The International Council on Monuments and Sites was founded in 1965 at Warsaw (Poland), one year after the signing of the International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monument and Sites, known as the “Venice Charter”.

ICOMOS is an association of cultural heritage professionals throughout the world, working for the conservation and protection of monuments and sites – the only global non-governmental organisation of its kind. It benefits from the cross-disciplinary exchange of its members – architects, archaeologist, art historians, engineers, historians, planners, who foster improved heritage conservation standards and techniques for all forms of cultural properties: buildings, historic town, cultural landscapes, archaeological sites, etc.

 ICOMOS is :

• An international forum for discussion on heritage conservation, via its website, Newsletter, Scientific Journal and at workshop, seminars and conferences, including its triennial General Assembly
• A network of heritage practitioners, with National Committees in over 110 countries, who shares expertise and experiences directly or through International Scientific Committees
• A partnership working with national and international authorities  in issues and project of heritage conservation
• An advocate of international conventions and author of many charters and guidelines regarded as “best practice” for heritage conservation 

2. National Committees
Interested professionals working in cultural heritage may apply for membership of ICOMOS to the National Committee in their country - a list of all the National Committees and their contacts is on the ICOMOS website. If you do not have a National Committee in your country, you can contact the ICOMOS International Secretariat. 

ICOMOS has established more than 20International Scientific Committees on various themes and issues related to cultural heritage. These committees undertake research, develop conservation theory, guidelines and charters, and foster training for better heritage conservation in their specialised field.

Membership consists of expert specialist in that subject, normally limited to one voting member from each National Committee, although others can be associate members.  

 4. World Heritage Convention

ICOMOS is officially recognised as an advisory body to UNESCO, actively contributing to the World Heritage Committee and taking part in the implementation of the Convention.

Through the ICOMOS World Heritage Panel and the World Heritage staff in its International Secretariat, ICOMOS evaluates nominations submitted by the States Parties for inclusion on the World Heritage List.

ICOMOS is also involved in thematic and comparative studies, technical assistance and training missions, and in monitoring the states of Conservation and management of listed World Heritage cultural properties.

 5. Heritage at Risk  

The ICOMOS World Report on Monuments and Sites in Danger (Heritage at Risk) is published regularly to help save our cultural heritage. The Report is conceived not only as a vehicle to share information among professional colleagues, but also to be distributed to the media, relevant organizations, governments and other stakeholders. 

The Heritage at Risk report is available in print and online:

www.international.icomos.org/risk 

 6. Blue Shield  

ICOMOS is one of four non-governmental organisations in the international Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS), established to collect and disseminate information, and co-ordinate heritage conservation action in emergency situation, including armed conflict or natural disaster that could affect cultural heritage.

The other founder members are:

• International Council on Archives (ICA)
• International Council of Museums (ICOM)
• International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA)

For further information refer to the website:

www.international.icomos.org/blue_shield.htm

7. Documentation Centre

The UNESCO-ICOMOS Documentation centre is a unique resource for professional reference and research on monument and sites. It is open to all researches  and institution concerned and can be consulted on working days at the International Secretariat in Paris or through the website. Its collection include the primary documentation for all the World Heritage cultural properties and nominations, in addition to ICOMOS`s own publications and reports.

8. the Organisation of ICOMOS  

The General Assembly  -  is the ruling body comprising all ICOMOS members. It meets every three years to elect the Executive Committee, and to renew the strategic plan and programme for the triennium.

The Executive Committee -  is the managing body of  ICOMOS. It comprises the President, 5 Vice Presidents, the Secretary General and the Treasurer General (forming the Bureau), and 12 general members of  the Executive, representing major regions of the globe. The Executive Committee prepares the programme and budget and oversees their implementation. It approves neew National and International Scientific Committees.

The Advisory Committe  - consists of the Chairs of the National and International Scientific Committees. Its function is to advise the Executive Committee and recommend programme priorities and directions.

• Participation in an international professional network (expert meetings, professional work-shop, scientific exchange, training programmes)
• Access to information on international conferences and seminars
• Receiving the ICOMOS Newsletter
• Access  to the documentation Centre
• Discounts on certain publications
• Free or reduce admission to many heritage sites and museums throughout the world