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Asia-Pacific Young Heritage Professionals Explored Pathways for Heritage Protection and Innovation
From May 24-26, Suzhou, China hosted the Asia-Pacific Young Masters for Heritage Conservation Symposium, bringing together emerging heritage professionals from eight Asian countries. Co-organized by UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, Suzhou Municipal Administration of Gardens and Landscaping, and WHITRAP Suzhou, the event fostered knowledge exchange on innovative approaches to heritage conservation in contemporary contexts.
In the opening session, Mr. Cao Guangshu, Director of Suzhou Municipal Administration of Gardens and Landscaping, emphasized Suzhou's role as an ideal host city with its exemplary garden conservation. “We hope young professionals will use this platform to bridge tradition and innovation,” he remarked, envisioning new chapters in heritage stewardship. Dr. Duong Bich Hanh of UNESCO East Asia underscored youth's transformative potential: “Young practitioners must redefine conservation boundaries and build regional networks to harness heritage's power for sustainable development.”
The opening session also included the keynote lectures of Professor Nargis Nurulla-Khojaeva (Silk Road International Tourism and Cultural Heritage University of Uzbekistan) on the topic “Samarkand’s Heritage as a Living Dialogue between Memory and Modernity”, and Professor Dong Wei (School of Architecture at Southeast University, China) on “Reconsidering the Study of Traditional Dwellings from a Regional Perspective.”
The thematic sessions of the symposium touch upon a wide range of topics, illustrated by projects that the young professionals have led or participated in during their career. From the ornate palaces of China to the colonial buildings of Malaysia, heritage conservation efforts across Asia reveal a shared commitment to preserving the past while embracing the future. Through diverse projects – ranging from mural restorations to earthquake-resistant reconstructions – practitioners have uncovered valuable insights that transcend borders.
Community: the heart of conservation
Heritage isn’t just about structures – it’s about people. Successful projects actively involve communities through employment, storytelling, and adaptive reuse. When locals engage with their cultural legacy, heritage becomes a living, evolving force. Examples like revitalized markets in Penang and ancestral halls in Jiangmen show how heritage spaces can host art exhibitions, seasonal fairs, and educational programs – keeping traditions relevant in modern life.
Sustainability as Stewardship
Conservation is climate action. Reusing materials, preserving old-growth trees, and integrating green technologies reduce environmental impact while honoring tradition. Many projects prove that traditional methods often outperform modern alternatives – both ecologically and economically. The challenge? Advocating for these approaches in an era of rapid development.
Balancing tradition and innovation
The best projects marry ancient craftsmanship with modern needs – whether through seismic-resistant techniques in Nepal or digital tools enhancing restoration precision in Mongolia. Yet challenges remain: vanishing artisan skills, scarce authentic materials, and bureaucratic hurdles threaten progress. Investing in education, material innovation, and policy reform is crucial to ensuring heritage doesn’t just survive, but thrives.
The stakeholder coordination challenge
Heritage projects often face conflicting interests – political shifts, neighboring disputes, and community disagreements. Professionals must navigate these complexities, acting as mediators between governments, investors, and locals. Multidisplinary teams, better coordination, and stronger community engagement can turn “passive preservation” into active collaboration.
Rethinking conservation finance
Traditional funding models – like annual tax allocations for building maintenance – struggle to meet modern needs. Competitive bidding often sacrifices quality, while preventive maintenance lacks dedicated budgets. Yet innovative solutions are emerging, from hybrid financing consisting of tourism revenue and crowdfunding, grassroots efforts using volunteers and community labor, and international partnerships could serve as potential solutions to address the financial challenges.
Honoring the next generation of heritage guaridans
On May 26, the 2025 Asia-Pacific Young Masters for Heritage Conservation Symposium culminated in a certificate ceremony at Suzhou's UNESCO-listed Lion Grove Garden. The event, attended by Suzhou Mayor Wu Qingwen, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia Prof. Shahbaz Khan, and Tongji University's Academician Chang Qing, also launched the 2nd “Bringing Cultural Heritage to Life” micro-video contest to engage youth in heritage promotion and a special exhibition marking 25 years since Lion Grove Garden's UNESCO inscription, highlighting its dual focus on authentic preservation and creative reuse – from aesthetic research to global cultural partnerships.
As Prof. Shahbaz Khan in his speech said “Across Asia, you have turned cultural sites into engines of social inclusion, education, and economic opportunity.” Today's young heritage professionals are redefining conservation by bridging tradition and innovation. Through global case studies, they not only identify universal challenges in heritage preservation but also develop thoughtful, sustainable solutions that keep cultural legacies alive in our modern world.
