|
Message from the ICOMOS President
following the earthquake in Haiti
The horrifying news about the earthquake in from
Haiti gives all indications of major devastation and loss. Once
the immediate human relief effort is over, I call on all
ICOMOS to come together in solidarity to help in whatever
way we can with the heritage recovery process.
It is the right time now to identify individual ICOMOS members and
groups of members who would be willing to form part of volunteer
teams to be deployed to Haiti as needed when the time comes
and the heritage needs are manifested by our Haitian colleagues.
For that reason, I ask all National and International Committees
to circulate this letter to their full membership. Anyone
interested in considering being a volunteer should drop me a line
and let me know who you are so that we may keep you informed
about the opportunities that arise as we learn more about the situation.
For those National Committees from countries
with disaster recovery experience, we also ask that you urge your
government and other national institutions to be generous with their
assistance.
For me personally, Haiti is a special place where I began
my professional conservation life. It was at the Citadelle and later
at the Palais de Sans-Souci in Cap Haitien that I had my very first
projects as head of the OAS heritage assistance mission after graduation.
I know the Haitians to be a good people, possessing great dignity
and generosity while living amid extreme poverty. For this reason,
I put my own name down as the first volunteer to assist in whatever
way I can.
Thanks to all,
Gustavo Araoz
President of ICOMOS
gustavo.araoz@icomos.org |
