The Royal Norwegian Government
This project has contributed concretely to Norway’s priorities, under its new strategy for “Culture and Sports co-operation with Countries in the South” (2006-2015), particularly in (i) using cultural heritage as a resource for sustainable development and (ii) facilitating exchange of knowledge and contact across political and religious divisions.
At both the regional and national levels, the project aims to adopt the key strategies covered under the Norwegian strategy. The project will accomplish these objectives at the national level of participating Member States through (i) capacity building and (ii) strengthening cultural infrastructure at the policy-making and administrative and local community levels.
At the regional level, the programme will encourage cultural exchange, particularly south-south connections amongst the participating developing countries themselves. These exchanges will contribute to intercultural dialogue, conflict resolution between religious and cultural groups, and the sharing of best practices.
ICOMOS-ICUCH
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) - International Committee for the Underwater Cultural Heritage (ICUCH) was established as an ICOMOS committee in 1991 to promote international cooperation in the protection and management of underwater cultural heritage management and to advise ICOMOS on underwater cultural heritage issues.
ICUCH assisted in the drafting of the 2001 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage and continues to lobby for its ratification. ICUCH also provides a forum for debate and information exchange among maritime archaeologists, other professionals, and decision-makers involved in the management of underwater cultural heritage.
ICUCH members are mainly experienced underwater archaeologists.
Underwater Archaeology Division
The division is under Office of Archaeology, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture of Thailand. It takes part in the project as the main host of the past four training courses, dedicating professional human resource and existing equipments to facilitate the activities.
Furthermore, Mr. Erbprem Vatcharangkul, the director of UAD, is also one of trainers delivering lectures on Ship Technology and Ethnography in Foundation Courses.
The UAD is a highly potential organization that is interested in sustaining and developing its regional field-training centre as one of UNESCO's Centres of Excellence for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage.
