Would you like to broaden your horizon without leaving the Netherlands? Then the ICOMOS Shared Built Heritage Student Help Desk might have just the right opportunity for you. The Student Help Desk offers you options to study historical architecture and town planning, with or without an exchange programme. What about a heritage study in or about the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba or former (Dutch) colonies such as Surinam, Ghana South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and Taiwan?
Within the study of Dutch architecture and town planning the traditions of the colonial conquerors in these regions is a much neglected topic. The Student Help Desk, an organisation in which all Dutch faculties of architecture and arts and ICOMOS the Netherlands participate, aims to change this.
Student Help Desk
ICOMOS Student Help Desk aims at generating and stimulating research into the architectural and town planning history of previous overseas possessions in order to broaden our insight and knowledge.
In addition, students may investigate current design concepts, adaptive re-use, conservation, transformation, refurbishments, etc.
A study on overseas architecture or town planning start off with an analysis of study material available in the Netherlands. Study guidance will be provided by a team of specialists. The necessity and possibilities of site visit(s) will be investigated by you, your lecturer, and if necessary an advisor.
The Student Help Desk operates under the auspices of the Dutch section of the ICOMOS Scientific Committee on Shared Built Heritage (SBH). The SBH committee was established in Stockholm in 1998 with a view to conduct research into the built heritage of colonial powers worldwide during the period of their hegemony.
For more information on the opportunities offered by the ICOMOS Shared Built Heritage Student Help Desk, please contact P.K.M, (Pauline) van Roosmalen MA., J.P. (Jean-Paul) Corten MA., or the contact person at your university.
ICOMOS en Shared Built Heritage
ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) was founded in 1965 by UNESCO. It is an independent, non-governmental organisation of professionals in heritage conservation (Archaeology and Architectural History).
ICOMOS is known for its advice to UNESCO regarding cultural sites on the World Heritage List. 21 Specialised International Scientific Committees create a forum for exchanging knowledge, experience and compiling protocols and guidelines for conservation (‘charters’).
The Committee on Shared Built Heritage (SBH) is one of the ICOMOS Scientific Committees. It is currently chaired by the Netherlands. The Committee aims to support public and private bodies engaged with preservation, management and research of (mutual) heritage. It would like to promote the integration of heritage into the social and economic fabric and processes of communities.
The Committee consists of an active group of professionals supporting the International Committee and local initiatives stretching beyond the borders of the Netherlands.
Students under 30 years of age, enjoy a fifty percent discount on the annual membership fee. Apart from being part of an international network of experts, membership also grants concessions and often even free entrance to many of the world’s most renowned buildings, museums and sites. So, contact ICOMOS Netherlands and join the club!
The Secretariat of the International Committee is carried by ICOMOS Netherlands, c/o Erfgoed Nederland, Herengracht 474, 1017 CA Amsterdam.