Origins and objectives
The formation of the International Polar Heritage Committee (IPHC) was the result of concerns about a general lack of awareness and recognition of the history of polar regions. Another concern arose because much of the work that was being done in Arctic and Antarctic regions was being undertaken in a fragmented way without the benefit of the shared knowledge and experience which was available.
An initial aim of the IPHC therefore was to promote the preservation of human heritage in polar regions and to provide a vehicle for collaboration by those working in this field.
The IPHC recognises that it does not have specific expertise in matters related to the indigenous heritage of Arctic regions, but is committed to cooperating closely with groups that do.
The IPHC is an international scientific committee within ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites). ICOMOS works to protect and conserve cultural heritage throughout the world.
The IPHC was formally established on 1st November 2000 and held it’s foundation meeting at the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge UK in May 2001.
The IPHC committee is made up of representatives appointed by ICOMOS National Committees from countries which have an active polar interest. Other individuals with special skills which can serve the needs of the committee can be appointed as corresponding members.
Member nations at the time of founding were Australia, Canada, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Appointments of representatives from other countries continue to be made.
The representatives of each country have their own national networks of experts who will eventually become a resource for anyone involved in polar heritage protection. These people can be contacted using information on our committee page or using our data base of expertise.
The IPHC secretariat is based in Norway and supported by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage.
The objectives of the IPHC are :
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To promote international co-operation in the protection and conservation of non-indigenous heritage in the Arctic and Antarctic;
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To consult and co-operate with Arctic indigenous peoples regarding heritage of cross cultural significance
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To provide a forum for interchange of experience, ideas, knowledge, and the results of research between administrators, archaeologists, conservators, historians, legislators and other professionals
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To promote international studies and projects
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To expand technical co-operation by fostering links with specialised institutions.
A guiding principle for the work of the International Polar Heritage Committee is ;
.... that all evidence of previous / finished human activity in the polar areas has a potential significance for the documentation and the understanding of the history of these areas and should be expertly assessed with an eye to possible designation as a cultural heritage site before being altered or removed.
It is hoped that by applying this principle, unnecessary loss of valuable cultural heritage information due to hasty decision-making will be avoided.