42 Y e a r b o o k 2 0 1 1 Students learning about the construction and restoration of brick vaulted ceilings, an important feature of many historic buildings in South East Europe the built heritage in former conflict zones. The project aims to upgrade the status of current and future professionals in the field of cultural heritage through vocational training and scholarships. Initially, it will be aimed at students from Kosovo but the intention is that it will become a regional training centre. The courses presented will be fully accredited and it is proposed that any individuals or companies seeking to undertake work on protected buildings will be licensed through the centre. This is a major development in the region and it will be operational from September 2011. The Transylvania Trust, among others, will be involved in helping to design the course curricula. The Heritage Training Centre at Gjirokastra, Albania The heritage centre at Gjirokastra is run by the NGO Cultural Heritage without Borders and is another very important regional centre. It is based within the world heritage site at Gjirokastra and has a teaching format similar to the BHCTC, embracing theory and practice over a 14 day period and incorporating hands-on restoration of protected buildings within the world heritage site. The centre has been operational for six years. Like the BHCTC it is also engaged in educational and awareness raising programmes. It plays a very important role as the only course provider of its kind in the area. The centre is supported through SIDA (Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency) and by the Headley Trust. Future direction The three training centres referred to above will collaborate over the next two years on a new project supported through the EU to promote the engagement of civil society in community development through the rehabilitation of the built heritage. It will expand all of the present activities in education, awarenessraising and practical training and bring together expertise to create a firm training base for South East Europe. The partnership will comprise the Transylvania Trust, Cultural Heritage without Borders, Expeditio, Europa Nostra, Europa Nostra Serbia, and Emancipimi Civil Ma Ndryshe (Kosovo). How can the IHBC help? The expertise which exists within the IHBC is significant and deeply respected in South East Europe. It seems such a waste to keep that expertise within the UK when so much could be done elsewhere. Many NGOs in South East Europe are struggling to develop projects through lack of experience. IHBC members can help by offering their expertise through lectures, assisting with practical training, or helping to develop capacity building. I would be happy to put interested members in touch with a competent and active organisation (see contact email address below). David Baxter MA DipDBE MRTPI IHBC is European projects director for the IHBC. A former conservation officer with Herefordshire Council, he is now based in Romania where he is director of the BHCT Centre at Bánffy Castle, Historic Buildings Advisor to Her Royal Highness Princess Margarita of Romania and a member of the Presidential Commission on Heritage in Danger in Romania. Email dbaxter@cluj.astral.ro Carpentry tuition is one-to-one: understanding the joint is as important as making it.
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