International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and the Restoration of Cultural Property

Since 1978, Canada has been one of the 129 Member States of ICCROM, the International Centre for the Study of the Restoration and Conservation of Cultural Property. With its headquarters in Rome, ICCROM was established in 1959 to study and improve methods of cultural heritage restoration using worldwide networks of experts. The organization continues to promote the conservation of cultural heritage and deliver training programs worldwide. It also acts as an advisory body to various international organizations, notably the World Heritage Committee.

Parks Canada shares the responsibility of representing Canada at the organization’s General Assembly and Council meetings with the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI). The ICCROM General Assembly is held every second year to discuss strategic directions and to approve ICCROM’s programs and budgets. In recent years, Parks Canada staff has served as President and Vice-President of the Assembly and has chaired committees established to conduct ICCROM business. Parks Canada has also contributed to delivering ICCROM’s training programs within Canada and internationally.