REPORT ON ACTIVITIES OF THE SPANISH NATIONAL COMMITTEE (CNE) OF ICOMOS 2001-2003

Members: 

Professionals from different disciplines related to the field of heritage (architects, art historians, landscape architects, archeologists, jurists, town planners, geographers, engineers, administrators, sociologists, etc.). In contrast with some other National Committees, nearly all members of the CNE meet the requirements of international and national Statutes and the founding spirit of ICOMOS, in the sense that they are qualified professionals with extensive experience in the field of conservation of cultural heritage. This requirement is logical taking into account that ICOMOS is an advisory body of the UNESCO and that its fundamental mission is to provide advice and develop doctrine on the subject of heritage conservation. The project for amendment of the Statutes of the CNE, which is to be submitted for approval in the Extraordinary General Assembly in December 2003, considers the possibility of expanding member categories (e.g., benefactors and collaborators) to increase participation without violating the founding spirit of the Statutes.

Seminars and meetings

·     International Seminars in collaboration and with the financial support of various institutions:

I. Seminar on Historic Iberian-American Cites. Toledo, June 2001. Organized by the CNE with the support and collaboration of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Directorate General for Fine Arts and Cultural Properties).

II. International Congress on Intangible Heritage and other aspects related to Cultural Routes. Pamplona, June 2001. Organized by the CNE and the ICOMOS International Committee On Cultural Routes (CIIC) with the support and collaboration of the Regional Government of Navarre (Directorate General of Culture), and additional financial assistance from the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI).

III. Scientific Meeting on Heritage in the Third Millennium from the perspective of sustained development. Organized by the CNE with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Directorate General of Cooperation and Cultural Communication). 4 Seminars:

1. Conservation Criteria and Methods (Valencia, 31 May, 1 and 2 June 2001)

2. Globalization, Ethics and Identity (Burgos, 19, 20 and 21 July 2001)

3. The Intangible Value of Heritage (Seville, 25, 26 and 27 October 2001)

4. Promotion, Cooperation and Coordination of Resources (Madrid, 21, 22 and 23 November 2001)

IV. Seminar on the “Royal Intercontinental Route”. La Laguna, November 2001. Organized by the CNE with the support of the City Council of La Laguna.

V. 13^th ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium on “Strategies for the World's Cultural Heritage. Preservation in a Globalized World: Principles, Practices, Perspectives”. Madrid, December 2002. Both events were accompanied by an exhibit on Spanish Heritage and Earthen Architecture in the world. These events were made possible by the financial assistance and participation of numerous Spanish institutions as has been duly noted in the ICOMOS Newsletter and ICOMOS Spain website, as well as in the information distributed to all members of the CNE.

VI. Meetings prior to the General Assembly of the international Executive Board (Executive Committee and Bureau) and the Presidents of International and National Committees (Advisory Committee). Andalusia, November 2002. Organized by the CNE with the support and collaboration of the Regional Government of Andalusia (Directorate General of Cultural Properties) and the City Councils of Úbeda and Baeza.

VII. Meeting of the international Executive Board and a World Heritage Panel. Aragon, December 2002. With the support and collaboration of the Regional Government of Aragon (Directorate General of Historic Heritage).

VIII. International working group of experts on the conceptual and operational aspects of cultural routes. Madrid, May 2003. With the support and collaboration of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Directorate General for Fine Arts and Cultural Properties).

IX. Course-Congress on World Heritage Cities. Santiago, Oviedo, Lugo, Santillana del Mar, Bilbao, Burgos, Seville and Granada. October 2003. Organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Directorate General for Fine Arts and Cultural Properties) with the collaboration of the CNE.

X. Cycle of conferences on the role of ICOMOS in relation to Cities included on the World Heritage List. Cuenca, October 2003. Organized by the University of Castilla-La Mancha in collaboration with the CNE.

·     The CNE has held ordinary meetings of its Executive Board, numerous work sessions and annual Ordinary Assemblies (December 2001 and April 2002). The next Ordinary and Extraordinary General Assemblies will take place in December of this year. Elections for its Executive Board are held every 3 years.

Publications

- Minutes of the International Seminar on Historic Iberian-American Cities (held in Toledo, 16-20 June 2001) with the financial assistance of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Directorate General for Fine Arts and Cultural Properties).

- Minutes of the International Scientific Symposium on “Strategies for the World's Cultural Heritage. Preservation in a Globalized World: Principles, Practices, Perspectives” (held in Madrid, 3-4 December 2002). Publication made by the CNE with the funds obtained for the 13^th General Assembly.

- Minutes of the International Congress on Intangible Heritage and other aspects related to Cultural Routes (held in Pamplona, 20-24 June 2001). Publication made and funded by the Regional Government of Navarre.

- Minutes of the Seminar of the ICOMOS International Committee on Legal, Administrative and Financial Issues (held in Toledo, July 1999). Publication made and funded by the Regional Council of Castellón.

Reports on World Heritage

In 2001, through an agreement with the Directorate General for Fine Arts and Cultural Properties of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, ICOMOS Spain prepared the evaluation reports for the following properties inscribed on the World Heritage List, which should be submitted by the Spanish State to the UNESCO in 2005:

Castilla -La Mancha: Toledo

Madrid: The Escurial

Castilla and León: Ávila, Segovia, Salamanca and Burgos Cathedral

Galicia: Santiago de Compostela

Asturias: Pre-Romanesque churches (not including the Holy Chamber and San Julián de los Prados Church as their declaration is subsequent to 1997)

Cantabria: Altamira

In 2003, ICOMOS Spain has prepared reports for the following properties:

Andalusia: Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzin (Granada); Historic Center (Cordoba); Cathedral, Alcázar and Archivo de Indias (Seville)

Aragon: Mudejar Architecture

Asturias: Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias: extension of sites listed in 1998

Castilla and León: Las Médulas

Extremadura: Old Town of Cáceres; Archeological Ensemble of Mérida; Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe

Valencia: La Lonja de la Seda

Other studies and projects:  

2001:

-     Study on the “Spanish Royal Intercontinental Land and Sea Route”. (First phase: Identification of the route and the geographical location of its different portions; research and inventory program on the most important remains along the route; collaboration with other Latin American committees of ICOMOS on the project to study and promote the Royal Intercontinental Route.)

-     Study on Spanish historic mining sites. (First phase: Historic identification; bibliographical compilation; research and inventory program on the most important remains; collaboration with other Latin American committees of ICOMOS on the project to study and promote the Spanish historic mining route.)

2003:

-     Continuation of the research and inventory project on the “Spanish Royal Intercontinental Cultural Route” (Second phase).

-     Continuation of the research and inventory program on the Spanish Historic Mining Route (Second phase).

Both projects are a continuation of the projects initiated in 2001, whose results are held by the Directorate General for Fine Arts and Cultural Properties of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. The phase of the project corresponding to this year is similar in approach, methodology and objectives. It consists of a more in-depth analysis of the data obtained and further progress in the study and promotion of new portions and heritage contents.

Website:

In 2002, ICOMOS Spain opened own website to assist in the organization of the 13^th General Assembly of ICOMOS. The site was expanded in 2003 to allow it to publish its own information and other information of general interest. The site (www.esicomos.org) is updated on a regular basis and is accessible to all members from all countries by a link from the International Secretariat (www.icomos.org). As the headquarters and secretariat of the International Committee on Cultural Routes (CIIC) are currently located at ICOMOS Spain, a website devoted to this topic has also been opened (www.icomos-ciic.org)

Distribution of information

The secretariat of the CNE keeps its members regularly informed by sending them international and national information and circulars at frequent intervals. A large effort has been made to obtain the e-mail addresses of all CNE members to speed up the sending of information, especially when the documents involved are too lengthy to be photocopied and sent by ordinary mail. Although the vast majority of member have provided their e-mail addresses, a considerable number have still not responded. Institutional documents are currently sent by postal mail to all members, and all other information by electronic mail to those who have provided their addresses, as well as publishing it on the website so that it may be known by all members.

Translations

The CNE has translated many doctrinal texts and other ICOMOS documents into Spanish, French and English. Part of these translations has been included in its publications and the website.

Other activities

-     The CNE advises and collaborates with various Spanish governmental agencies (on a state, regional and local level) and with the Historic Heritage Council, as well as with educational and research institutions, foundations, associations, etc.

-     It provides advice and assistance to ensure effective compliance with the World Heritage Convention and its operational guidelines for the sites included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For this purpose, it carries out studies, reconnaissance trips, meetings and prepares reports.

-     CNE members participate actively in numerous international and national congresses and scientific meetings, as well as in the events organized on its own initiative cited in this report. Among many other events, it will participate in the 14^th General Assembly in Zimbabwe (October 2003).

-     The CNE provides assistance to young professionals from economically less favored countries through various programs to the extent permitted by its resources.

Participation of the CNE in International Scientific Committees

Members of the CNE have participated in these three years as voting, associate or guest members in International Scientific Committees (Historic Towns, Gardens and Landscapes, Vernacular Architecture, Cultural Tourism, Cultural Routes, Legal, Administrative and Financial Issues, Architectural Photogrammetry, Archeological Heritage, Underwater Archeology, Structure, Stone and Training). We hope to expand this participation to the Committees on Wall Paintings and Rock Art.

New premises

Thanks to the School of Mines of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), the secretariat of the CNE is now located in this historic building. The CNE thanks the School for the generous offer of its premises. We also thank our Executive Secretary for handling the transfer of our files and work materials to the new premises.

Madrid, September 2003

We are also providing the following information with respect to the Dubrovnik specific criteria as stated on the document entitled “Dubrovnik guidelines for the evaluation of ICOMOS National Committees” (see the next page):

1.   Submission of an annual report; the annual questionnaire on Committee activities and minutes of an annual General Assembly. (See the above report on activities. As stated on this report, we have also held regular meetings of our Board of Directors, many workshops and internal business meetings and two annual Ordinary General Assemblies (December 2001 and April 2002). On each of these Assemblies the following items were submitted for approval: Minutes of the previous session; Report on the activities carried out and economic report; Project of activities and annual budget; Ratification of new members; Internal questions; Submission of initiatives, questions and miscellaneous.

          The next General Assemblies (both Ordinary and Extraordinary) will be held in December 2003. Every 3 years an Extraordinary General Assembly is convened and the elections for the new members of the Board of Directors are carried out.)

2.   Submission of a record of triennial elections and evidence of rotation of office-bearers after three terms of office. (In our last report we provided complete information on the elections held at the previous Extraordinary General Assembly in December 2000 as well as a list of the officers elected for the 2001-2003 term. As indicated above, the next Extraordinary General Assembly with elections of the new members of the Board of Directors will be held in December this year.)

3.   Possession by the Secretariat of reliable contact details (e.g.: postal address, fax, or e-mail). (The international Secretariat is aware of all our contact details)

4.       Payment of membership fees. (They have been paid)

5.       Active representation on International Scientific Committees, with evidence of

         triennial review of representation.

- Our representatives as voting members to the following International Committees are now serving for:

1-      A first term of 3 years: (Archaeological Management; Stone; Training)

2-      A second term of 3 years: (Cultural Tourism; Cultural Routes; Legal, Administrative and Financial Issues)

3-      A third term of 3 years: (Historic Towns; Vernacular Architecture; Underwater Archaeology)

- At present, we do not have any representative as voting member to the following Committees since the old ones served for 3 periods of 3 years each and we have not yet nominated any substitute: (Historic Gardens and Landscapes; CIPA)

- We do not have a representative as voting member to the Committee on Architectural Structures (ISCARSAH). The old one resigned and a substitute has not yet been nominated.

- Despite all the efforts made for the past six years in order to have a relevant representative as voting member, the Chairman of the ISC on Earthen Architecture has never replied to our request. Is this Committee still admitting only 12 voting members or has finally adapted its Statutes to both democratic principles and the Eger Principles?

- We have nominated two candidates as voting members to the following Committees, but despite the time already passed, there is not yet an accurate answer from their Chairmen (Wall Painting; Rock Art).

6.   Evidence of representation at Advisory Committee, General Assembly, or other regional or international meetings of ICOMOS within the 12 months under assessment. (We were present at the last Advisory Committee meeting held in Seville and at the Madrid General Assembly. We will attend the next General Assembly in Zimbabwe).

7.    Evidence of other activity (e.g.: contact with the Vice-President, response to circulars, or participation in exchange programmes) within the 12 months under assessment. (We are in contact with the Vice-President for Europe and attended the last European meeting held in Paris this year. With respect to participation in exchange programmes, see the information included on the above report).

Madrid, September 2003