Australia, Hong Kong and Macau Explore Collaboration in Cultural Heritage
Heritage management experts from Australia, Hong Kong and Macau are meeting in Hong Kong, from 17-19 November 2008, to discuss heritage preservation and management issues and explore possibilities for cooperation and information sharing. Vinod Daniel, Chair of AusHeritage, Australia’s International Network for Heritage Services, leads an official delegation of nine members for the three-day visit which includes a one day interactive symposium, followed by field visits to historic sites in Hong Kong and Macau. The joint symposium on Adaptive Re-use of Heritage Buildings and Sites: Local and Overseas Experience will be opened by Mrs Carrie Lam, the Secretary for Development of the Hong Kong Government. Australian Consul-General, Mr Les Luck, will also speak at the opening. Mr Luck said “This is a good example of enhanced ties between Australia, Hong Kong and Macau in a specialised area. The Australian Government is very supportive of such cooperation in promoting cultural heritage through exchanged technical experience.” AusHeritage will be working very closely with the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the architectural program at the Hong Kong University for this interaction. Mr. Vinod Daniel said “The challenge for preserving cultural heritage in today’s economic and developmental environment is enormous. Preserving the cultural past for future generations must be a high priority whether it is tangible such as buildings and artefacts, or intangible such as languages and practices.” “A strategic partnership between Australian, Hong Kong and Macau heritage managers could better tackle the enormous challenges of heritage preservation, including the careful adaptation or adaptive re-use of some heritage places, in our respective urban and regional environments,” he added. AusHeritage has been active in South-East Asia for the 14 years and has been working with ASEAN’s Committee on Culture and Information to prepare strategic plans for preserving the region’s cultural heritage. The organisation’s members include Australian universities, national collecting institutions, state galleries, libraries and museums, private architectural firms and private and government conservation services. The three-day visit is partially supported by the Australia-China Council (Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia). *Media wishing to speak with participants or attend the opening of the symposium – 7:30pm Monday, 17 November – should contact Consulate Public Affairs. r Gavin McDougall Tel: +852 2585 4418 or 6473 8885 Ms Simmy Lam Tel: +852 2585 4482 or 9211 8937