Mr. Kono set off his trip in Vigan, a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO for its best practice in world heritage site management. He then went down to Manila and gave a talk, “A Framework for Heritage: Comparing Systems, Prospects and Wins in Developing Countries,” with the national committee of ICOMOS Philippines and in collaboration with the Ateneo Law School and Kyushu University. Mr. Toshi Kono unpacked the complex notion of development and cited UNESCO’s sustainable development goals for 2030, which now includes heritage as a driver of sustainable development in cities and communities. Secretary-General of the Philippine National Commission to UNESCO, Ms. Lila Shahani, and Atty. Kay Malilong, legal counsel of ICOMOS Philippines, contextualized these points in local scenarios.
The following day, ICOMOS Philippines members participated in a mock World Heritage Committee meeting, as advisers to student ‘state parties’, and chairperson. The exchange is a collaboration between Kyushu University and Ateneo de Manila University School of Law.
