WHIPIC launched a pilot programme in November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to develop Guidelines for Inclusive Heritage Interpretation and Presentation. This initiative seeks to support World Heritage site managers in adopting inclusive presentation methods to effectively convey heritage sites' value to diverse stakeholders. The aim is to foster a deeper understanding and shared appreciation of these sites' significance. The pilot programme centred on the Sítio Roberto Burle Marx (SRBM), one of Brazil's esteemed World Heritage sites.
The SRBM exemplifies the harmony between nature and culture through its extensive plant collections and artistic landscapes. Moreover, it holds greater significance due to its mutually beneficial relationship with local communities. This connection is evident across various areas, including exhibitions, educational programmes, and local economic and environmental contributions. These qualities make the SRBM an ideal setting for testing and refining the inclusive heritage presentation guidelines.
Sítio Roberto Burle Marx
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LEE Jaesoon, Deputy Director General, delivering the opening remarks.
| LEE Nayeon, Director of Information Management Office, introducing the concept of interpretation and explanation along with WHIPIC.
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Rafael Zamorano, Head of Technical Division, presenting the application process of the guidelines and the current state of heritage explanation.
| Interview with site managers regarding the guidelines.
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On the first day, participants were introduced to the concept of heritage interpretation through presentations by WHIPIC and SRBM. They then developed storytelling scenarios based on the draft guidelines, discussing the direction and approach for heritage presentation. Feedback on the guidelines was gathered through interviews with key participants, providing valuable insights to accelerate their development.
On-site visit to the buffer zone – conversation with a floral farm operator.
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On-site visit to the buffer zone – conversation with a tourism hotel representative.
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Group photo from the community workshop.
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Interviews with community members.
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On the second day, a site visit to the heritage buffer zone and interviews during a community workshop were conducted. WHIPIC explored various locations, including the SRBM, nearby mangrove forests, and a traditional distillery producing spirits from sugarcane. These visits aimed to re-examine the value of the heritage site in collaboration with the local community. Through active engagement with community members encountered on-site and workshop participants, WHIPIC made every effort to incorporate the voices of the community into the Inclusive Heritage Presentation Guidelines, ensuring their perspectives were authentically represented.
Feedback session with site managers and the community, followed by final scenario review.
On the third day, building on the discussions from the previous two days, site managers and local community members collaborated to consolidate their ideas and review the final scenarios for the interpretative materials. These scenarios integrated the heritage site's values, the perspectives of site managers, and the stories of the community, enhancing their feasibility and applicability in real-world settings. This collaborative effort successfully laid the groundwork for the production of interpretative materials, marking a significant step forward in the initiative.
Based on the outcomes of this pilot programme, WHIPIC plans to produce and distribute interpretative materials grounded in the Inclusive Heritage Presentation Guidelines by December. Through these efforts, WHIPIC aims to propose a new paradigm for heritage interpretation, fostering a more significant appreciation of World Heritage values among a wider audience.
WHIPIC continues to strengthen its collaboration with heritage managers, interpreters, and communities worldwide, working towards developing international standards for inclusive heritage interpretation and presentation. The achievements of this pilot programme in Brazil not only contribute to enhancing the interpretative capacity of individual sites but also play a vital role in promoting the significance of heritage on a global scale. WHIPIC’s commitment to preserving World Heritage and sharing its value with future generations remains steadfast as it continues to pioneer inclusive and innovative approaches to heritage interpretation.
WHIPIC launched a pilot programme in November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to develop Guidelines for Inclusive Heritage Interpretation and Presentation. This initiative seeks to support World Heritage site managers in adopting inclusive presentation methods to effectively convey heritage sites' value to diverse stakeholders. The aim is to foster a deeper understanding and shared appreciation of these sites' significance. The pilot programme centred on the Sítio Roberto Burle Marx (SRBM), one of Brazil's esteemed World Heritage sites.
The SRBM exemplifies the harmony between nature and culture through its extensive plant collections and artistic landscapes. Moreover, it holds greater significance due to its mutually beneficial relationship with local communities. This connection is evident across various areas, including exhibitions, educational programmes, and local economic and environmental contributions. These qualities make the SRBM an ideal setting for testing and refining the inclusive heritage presentation guidelines.
On the first day, participants were introduced to the concept of heritage interpretation through presentations by WHIPIC and SRBM. They then developed storytelling scenarios based on the draft guidelines, discussing the direction and approach for heritage presentation. Feedback on the guidelines was gathered through interviews with key participants, providing valuable insights to accelerate their development.
On-site visit to the buffer zone – conversation with a floral farm operator.
On-site visit to the buffer zone – conversation with a tourism hotel representative.
Group photo from the community workshop.
Interviews with community members.On the second day, a site visit to the heritage buffer zone and interviews during a community workshop were conducted. WHIPIC explored various locations, including the SRBM, nearby mangrove forests, and a traditional distillery producing spirits from sugarcane. These visits aimed to re-examine the value of the heritage site in collaboration with the local community. Through active engagement with community members encountered on-site and workshop participants, WHIPIC made every effort to incorporate the voices of the community into the Inclusive Heritage Presentation Guidelines, ensuring their perspectives were authentically represented.
Feedback session with site managers and the community, followed by final scenario review.
On the third day, building on the discussions from the previous two days, site managers and local community members collaborated to consolidate their ideas and review the final scenarios for the interpretative materials. These scenarios integrated the heritage site's values, the perspectives of site managers, and the stories of the community, enhancing their feasibility and applicability in real-world settings. This collaborative effort successfully laid the groundwork for the production of interpretative materials, marking a significant step forward in the initiative.
Based on the outcomes of this pilot programme, WHIPIC plans to produce and distribute interpretative materials grounded in the Inclusive Heritage Presentation Guidelines by December. Through these efforts, WHIPIC aims to propose a new paradigm for heritage interpretation, fostering a more significant appreciation of World Heritage values among a wider audience.
WHIPIC continues to strengthen its collaboration with heritage managers, interpreters, and communities worldwide, working towards developing international standards for inclusive heritage interpretation and presentation. The achievements of this pilot programme in Brazil not only contribute to enhancing the interpretative capacity of individual sites but also play a vital role in promoting the significance of heritage on a global scale. WHIPIC’s commitment to preserving World Heritage and sharing its value with future generations remains steadfast as it continues to pioneer inclusive and innovative approaches to heritage interpretation.