ICOMOS leads efforts worldwide to advance knowledge and practice in cultural heritage protection, conservation and restoration. In order to address emerging priorities and key topics that involve many, or all, International Scientific Committees, ICOMOS have set up working groups. These working groups bring together different ICOMOS members and heritage professionals.
Working groups run practical activities such as working sessions and workshops. The aims and outcomes of working groups and their activities are varied, but often include drafting charters on their specialist subject or issue.
The ICOMOS Sustainable Development Goals Working Group coordinates ICOMOS’ response to the UN 2030 Agenda, its Sustainable Development Goals, and their implementation. As such, the working group conserves, protects and engages with all types of heritage.
ICOMOS Indigenous Heritage Working Group serves as an international platform for Indigenous heritage leaders to come together with non-Indigenous practitioners to identify and develop knowledge, understanding and conservation of Indigenous cultural heritage. Given the depth, range and specificity of Indigenous heritage, IHWG’s work is critical to ICOMOS fulfilling its mandate to provide guidance on the conservation of cultural heritage and to support the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
In 2016, the ICOMOS Annual Report underlined the use and importance of expanding ICOMOS’ Emerging Professional membership. As a response, the ICOMOS International Emerging Professionals Working Group was established in 2017, and nine resolutions were passed at the Delhi General Assembly to define the working group’s roles and scope.
ICOMOS Climate Action Working Group exists to support the ICOMOS community with resources and information to better counter the threats of climate change to cultural and natural heritage. The Climate Action Working Group has over 100 focal points (climate action experts that serve as points of contact) within ICOMOS National Committees and International Scientific Committees, putting it in the best possible position to meet this challenge.
ICOMOS is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the most ethical and empowering ways possible. This is why OCD-RBA was developed, in order to put cultural rights at the heart of cultural heritage practice.