During the 3rd UNITWIN Network Meeting, Flinders University (Adelaide, South Australia) has been elected the new coordinator of the UNESCO UNITWIN Network for Underwater Archaeology, starting from the 1st September 2015. Flinders University will continue the work carried out by the Selçuk University (Konya, Turkey) for the next four years.

The University Twinning (UNITWIN) Network on Underwater Archaeology was created three years ago, within the frame of the UNESCO UNITWIN Programme launched in 1992. The UNESCO UNITWIN Programme, which comprises 21 universities and recognised institutions, promotes international inter-university cooperation and networking to enhance institutional capacities through knowledge sharing and collaborative work. The Programme supports the establishment of UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks in key priority areas related to UNESCO’s fields of competence – i.e. in education, the natural and social sciences, culture and communication.

Flinders University, founder member of the Network, is a leading institution in the research and training in maritime archaeology and in the protection of the underwater cultural heritage ranging from submerged prehistorical sites to modern historical shipwrecks. 

The next annual meeting of the Network will take place in Adelaide (Australia) and it will be hosted by Flinders University in October 2016. This meeting will be preceded by a working meeting of the Network in UNESCO Headquarters, in Spring 2016.

Related links:

UNESCO UNITWIN Network on Underwater Archaeology Official Web Site

UNESCO Website for the UNITWIN Network on Underwater Archaeology

UNITWIN/UNESCO Chair programme Web Site