ICOMOS Youth Forum 2023
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Youth Forum 2023
by Darshana Thapa
View of Sydney Harbour from Cockatoo Island Wareamah. (Thapa, 2023)
The ICOMOS Youth Forum, part of ICOMOS General Assembly 2023, brought emerging heritage professionals together from around the world to Cockatoo Island, Wareamah in Sydney Harbour, for a jam-packed weekend of knowledge and skill sharing, networking and many discussions about the future of heritage. Connecting to a community of likeminded people, who are all so passionate about heritage, was an invaluable experience.
Cockatoo Island, Wareamah, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was the perfect location for emerging heritage professionals to engage in meaningful discussions about the future of heritage sites with complex layers to their past.
The weekend's focus was on contributing to The Harbour Trust’s Master Plan for the island by representing the different eras of the island, from the First Nations connection to Wareamah to the convict penal establishment, reformatory school, and naval shipyard.
The island has become a place for contemporary art and live performances. It also has camping and accommodation for visitors and is important for local residents living on the mainland and neighbouring islands.
Presentation to delegates. (Thapa, 2023)
We spent time in groups developing ideas and strategies to connect with the community to enhance the visitor and volunteer experience in the future.
This was an amazing opportunity and be a part of future heritage conversations and I look forward to seeing how the Master Plan develops and visiting again in the future.
