First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis (FAC)

Initiated in 2009, ICCROM’s ‘First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis’ (FAC) course aims to ensure that the heritage caretakers within crisis affected communities have the ability to participate in their own cultural recovery, which in turn can become a driver for peace and holistic development.

In 2016, the FAC course will be hosted by the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Continuing the educational legacy of ICCROM and enriching it with the Smithsonian’s extensive field expertise and resources, the course will provide valuable and practical information directly to those who need it.

As both ICCROM and Smithsonian have worked together on disaster and cultural recovery projects (e.g., Haiti and Nepal), being able to relay these experiences and train international cultural heritage professionals is an incredible boon to a field that has been desperate for more data and professional experience. 

 

THE GOAL OF FAC

The goal of the FAC training program is to take many types of professionals and turn them into Cultural First Aiders: a person who has the necessary knowledge and skills to document as well as protect cultural heritage during a complex emergency.

 

SUPPORT CULTURAL FIRST AIDERS!

In 2016, the FAC course will welcome 22 participants to the nation’s capital from:

• Africa (4)
• The Americas (5)
• Asian-Pacific region (4)
• Europe (4)
• Middle East (5)

All have demonstrated that they need help in both preventing and responding to a heritage crisis within their areas of specialty. We engage with all disciplines and all skillsets – our group contains conservators, archaeologists, grant specialists, lawyers, and policy advisors! Their discussions, debates, and even disagreements, will construct solutions concerning the protection of heritage during crises.

 

THE NEED

In order for our applicants to participate in this course, they are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.  Some of our participants will be unable to acquire the necessary funds. Donating to this fund will fund those who have demonstrated a financial need.

 

SUCCESS STORIES

Past FAC alumnus (2015): Ihor Poshyvailo, Chairman of the Maidan Museum NGO, Deputy Director of the National Centre of Folk Culture, member of the Museum Council at the Ministry of Culture and member of the Museum Security Volunteering Committee.

After returning to Ukraine, Ihor and his team organized a 3-day workshop emulating FAC sessions, but tailored specifically to heritage professionals working in conflict areas of Ukraine. Check out the FAC-inspired training here.

Past FAC alumnus (2011): Abdel Hamid Salah El-Sharief, Founder of the Egyptian Heritage Rescue Team (EHRT). Abdel formed his team right before the bombing of the Egyptian Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo. EHRT acted swiftly in securing the collections within the museum and making important decisions for the salvaging and storing of the damaged collections. Check out their work here.

 

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