Inaugurating the Faculty of Architecture, Kasetsart University (AKU), the first edition intertwines seamlessly with the Community x Heritage Summer School, marking a significant milestone as we proudly announce our inclusion in the esteemed World Heritage Volunteer Program 2024.
The World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Initiative, now in its sixteenth year, has consistently galvanized young individuals, communities, and site managers worldwide to collectively forge resilient, humane, and innovative societies, anchored in the rich tapestry of World Heritage. As we join this global movement, our focus remains steadfast on empowering youth, advocating for education, and spearheading tangible actions for the protection, preservation, and promotion of World Heritage. Under the theme 'World Heritage Volunteers 2024 - Working on the Future', we eagerly extend our invitation to historic partners and new collaborators alike, as we collectively embark on renewed endeavors to fortify the foundation of World Heritage protection, preservation, and awareness worldwide.
Here, amidst the grandeur of Ayutthaya, cultural heritage and community engagement intersect at the forefront of our endeavor. Our commitment lies in bridging the gap between Ayutthaya's historic city core and its surrounding communities, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation of our collective cultural legacy. Drawing participants from partner institutions abroad and local stakeholders alike, our collective journey explores Ayutthaya's intricate past while paving the way toward sustainable and inclusive futures.
The historic city of Ayutthaya for its significant historical value, given that tourists predominantly concentrated in the historic city's core area. Our objective is to unlock the untapped potential by exploring and generating local benefits not only for the city core but also for neighboring tourism communities within Ayutthaya province. Moreover, Ayutthaya's central location in the flooded plain, surrounded by agricultural areas, reflects the historical coexistence of monuments and the natural environment. This connection between historic sites and the surrounding landscape is evident beyond the city core area.
| Date | Day | Morning session | Afternoon session |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/8/24 | Mon(National Holiday) | Arrival of participants | |
| 13/8/24 | Tue | Opening and introduction - Welcome speech by Dean of KU - Introduction of WHV - World Heritage Process and outstanding Universal value (Patiphol) |
Lecture: New paradigm of conservation & people centered approach (Patiphol) |
| Classroom activities: - Participant presentation [introduce themselves with some presentation] - Group formation Ice breaking session |
PUBLIC Seminar - World Heritage trend in Thailand and border region (Supitcha vs Jirast) |
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| 14/8/24 | Wed | Lecture: Heritage tourism & Community based tourism (Patiphol) | Lecture: Tools in heritage management HIA, EOH (Patiphol) |
| Lecture: Theory of interpretation & interpretation case study | Lecture: Creativity & Participatory process and Big idea vignette (Aracha) | ||
| 15/8/24 | Thu | Visiting Suwan Vajokkasikij Building | Lecture: Ayutthaya tourism planning (Angkana) |
| 16/8/24 | Fri | move to Ayutthaya | Visiting Ayutthaya City Core area |
| Visiting Wat Chaiwattanaram (World Monument Fund Project) | |||
| 17/8/24 | Sat | Lecture: Ayutthaya as WHS (Patiphol) | Visiting Study area (Northern flood plain) |
| Visiting Study area (Northern flood plain) | Group work / optional activities | ||
| 18/8/24 | Sun | optional activities | Move to Tourism community local activities |
| 19/8/24 | Mon | Group work | Prelim presentation |
| 20/8/24 | Tue | Additional data collection | Group work |
| 21/8/24 | Wed | Group work | Ending ceremony and final presentation |
| 22/8/24 | Thu | Course summary and evaluation of course | Move to Bangkok |
| 23/8/24 | Fri | Departure of Participants |
1. Sharing the benefits of cultural heritage and surrounding community from the historic city core area to the surrounding communities in various forms. The intention is to encourage tourists from the city core area to extend their visits to local and rural areas in the neighboring regions of Ayutthaya province. 2. Providing undergraduate and graduate students from partner institutions abroad, as well as interested individuals and representatives from local working groups and relevant locations in the Ayutthaya World Heritage Site, with knowledge and skills in managing the meaning and value of world heritage.
The complexities of sustaining World Heritage sites while accurately portraying cultural identities. It reviews existing strategies and challenges and employs qualitative and quantitative methods for analysis.
To the rich historical and cultural significance of the World Heritage site, the Historic City of Ayutthaya. It aims to elucidate the values embedded within this ancient city and explore its importance on both local and global scales.
Intricate cultural landscape of riverine heritage, aiming to unravel its diverse themes and insights. Riverine areas have long been centers of human activity, bearing significant cultural, historical, and environmental significance.
Comprehensively explore community-based tourism, focusing on its strategies, impacts, and challenges. Community-based tourism involves local communities actively participating in and benefiting from tourism initiatives, contributing to sustainable development.
Focuses on exploring the multifaceted process of developing, implementing, and managing tourist-cultural projects. Such projects serve as vital conduits for the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage while catering to the needs and expectations of tourists.
For any inquiries or coordination related to the World Heritage Volunteer Program (Ayutthaya 2024), please reach out to our dedicated coordinator
Vacancies
Course Load (hours)
consecutive days
IMPORTANT: The training will be given in English. English proficiency certification is not mandatory upon enrollment, but we recommend a minimum of B-level CEFR (or an equivalent) for effective communication and understanding of all courses. NOTE: Participants will be required to have proof of accident and liability insurance that is applicable in Thailand for the duration of the course.