Managing Heritage for the Future: Participation, Policy and World Heritage

UCD Earth Institute Adapt for the Future Seminar Series IV 'Managing Heritage for the Future: Participation, Policy and World Heritage'

The management of World Heritage properties and heritage in general has grown into a holistic approach of managing the heritage within a broader value-based context including the values of sustainable development. World Heritage sites are increasingly understood in the context of linkages to their surrounding environment, both in terms of their physical setting and their potential to contribute to the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the wider area. Placing the site in the context of its value to society and local culture provides for a mutually beneficial relationship between the site and its surrounding communities which an emphasis on outstanding universal value (OUV) alone may not. Consequently, management is no longer the sole preserve of the heritage sector, it has become a complex process requiring cross-sectoral engagement and a flexible and adaptable approach to variable conditions. In line with the strategic objectives of the World Heritage Committee, heritage should be managed through participatory approaches.
Managing World Heritage sustainably should involve collaborating with stakeholders in decision-making throughout the management process. However, identifying stakeholders and achieving broad participatory engagement is a difficult and time- consuming task.
This workshop takes a look at the factors and practices that assisted in developing a more adaptive and sustainable heritage governance. Drawing on experiences from the recent revision of Ireland’s Tentative List for World Heritage nomination, speakers will discuss practical strategies for identifying stakeholders, facilitating participation, and strengthening partnerships between communities, policymakers, and heritage institutions.
The seminar will feature presentations from Dr Clare Cave, Director of the UCD World Heritage Programme — Presentation title: Participatory Governance in World Heritage: From International Principles to Practice; Dr John Knightly, Assistant Principal in the National Monuments Service — Presentation title: World Heritage in Ireland: A New Approach to Policy and Participation; and Ms Mona O’Rourke, Facilitator of the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Community Forum — Presentation title: The Journey to Co-Participative Management of Cultural Heritage.

The session will then move to a panel discussion and audience Q&A, titled Managing Heritage for the Future: Participation, Policy and World Heritage, facilitated by Senator Malcolm Noonan, with Ms Caitríona O’Connor, Royal Sites of Ireland Project Coordinator at Tipperary County Council, participating as a respondent.

A light networking lunch will be served at the end of the seminar.
Biographies

Dr Claire Cave - UCD

Dr Claire Cave is Director of the UCD World Heritage programmes and a member of the World Heritage Technical Advisory Group to the Irish government. Her research explores the connections between natural and cultural heritage, with particular interests in participatory heritage management, nature-culture linkages and the implementation of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Claire has authored and co-edited publications on World Heritage policy and practice and contributes to national and international heritage capacity-building and training initiatives.

Dr John Knight - Assistant Principal in the National Monuments Service

Dr Knight acts as Focal Point For World Heritage in Ireland, with respect to engagement with UNESCO.  He heads up the World Heritage Unit which is tasked with progressing the Tentative List and oversees the implementation of the management plans of Ireland’s two existing World Heritage Properties, Sceilg Mhichíl and Brú na Bóinne.  John has a PhD in History and a MA in the Conservation of Historic Landscapes.

Ms Mona O'Rourke - Heritage Consultant

Mona is a freelance heritage consultant with a background in law and professional experience in the documentation, conservation and management of cultural heritage. She lectures on international and national legislative frameworks for the protection of cultural heritage in Ireland and has a particular interest in stakeholder and community engagement in heritage management. She is President of the International Scientific Committee of ICOMOS on Legal, Financial and Administrative Matters (ICLAFI) and is currently facilitating community engagement at the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Property. Representing ICOMOS Ireland, she has worked in an advisory capacity to the Government on World Heritage matters.

Ms Caitriona O'Connor - Coordinator IE and NI joint UNESCO World Heritage Nonimation for the Royal Sites of Ireland

Caitriona O’Connor coordinates Ireland and Northern Ireland' s joint UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the Royal Sites of Ireland, a group of six archaeological sites located across the island representing pre-eminent ceremonial power centres during Ireland’s Iron Age and Early Medieval period.  Having worked as a conservation architect in the UK and Myanmar she completed the MSc in World Heritage Conservation through UCD. Her research focused on the nomination process for Bagan, Myanmar and following that she worked for the UNESCO Jordan field office delivering Italian funded conservation programmes at Petra.

Senator Malcolm Noonan

Senator Malcolm Noonan is a public representative and former Minister of State with responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform. He has played a leading role in advancing biodiversity protection, heritage policy, and climate adaptation initiatives in Ireland. With a longstanding commitment to sustainable development and community engagement, his work focuses on integrating environmental stewardship with cultural and built heritage policy at national level.
Adapt for the Future Seminar Series

About

The UCD Earth Institute ‘Adapt for the Future’ seminar series explores the challenges, innovations, and opportunities shaping our world in the face of environmental and societal change, geopolitical conflict, global trade shifts, and emerging future trends.

This series aims to facilitate connections and reduce the gap between academia, industry, and policy-making, fostering dialogue that supports informed and collaborative responses to today’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

Bringing together researchers, thought leaders, policy-makers, private sector actors, and civil society, this forward-thinking series examines how we can adapt to build a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future. From transformative climate solutions and technological innovation to behavioural change and bold policy reform, each seminar invites interdisciplinary conversation on how adaptation can open new pathways for sustainability.

Each seminar will focus on a central theme while encouraging open discussion and knowledge exchange on the barriers, opportunities, and strategies for meaningful adaptation. The goal is to highlight visionary approaches that help communities, systems, and institutions respond to today’s complex sustainability challenges—while preparing for an uncertain tomorrow.

‘Adapt for the Future’ is a space for critical thinking and creative collaboration, supporting the Earth Institute’s mission to advance sustainability science, policy, and practice and innovation.

This seminar series will be held in Dublin city centre at the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI). Please note that places are limited and early registration is advised.

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