A German network and its joint project “Stunde Null – A Future after the Crisis”
Ralph BODENSTEIN | Felicia MEYNERSEN
(German Archaeological Institute, Berlin, Germany)
Keywords: post-conflict recovery, capacity building, Syria, Iraq
Abstract:
The Archaeological Heritage Network (ArcHerNet) is a network of German institutions that aims at pooling their wide range of expertise in the protection and conservation of cultural heritage conservation, and at building a platform for collaboration and exchange. Officially founded in April 2016, supported by the German Foreign Office, and coordinated at the German Archaeological Institute, it was created in order to make these competences better accessible internationally, and to help develop the synergies and collaborative solutions that are needed to rise up to the growing challenges in the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. In response to the ongoing crisis in Syria and neighboring countries in the region, the first joint project of the ArcHerNet is “Stunde Null – A Future after the Crisis”. It consists of a broad range of measures including training courses, capacity building, awareness raising, as well as building data bases, digital inventories, and information systems that are needed for the documentation, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. The aim is to support heritage specialists, students, craftsmen and future decision-makers in these countries with the knowledge and skills needed in order to enable them to preserve their heritage and plan their country’s future after the crisis.
This presentation will present the network, its project „Stunde Null“ and provide an introductory backdrop to the range of activities presented in this special session.