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On 30 November 2024, the week-long Advanced Course on Conservation and Restoration Techniques of Traditional Architecture for the Asia-Pacific Region, titled ¡°Preservation Practices of Ancient Architectural Building Skills - Chaozhou Field Training¡±, successfully concluded. The collaborative initiative was jointly organized by the UNESCO Office for East Asia, Suzhou Municipal Publicity Department, Suzhou Gardens and Landscaping Administrative Bureau, WHITRAP Suzhou, Chaozhou Municipal Culture Bureau and Suzhou University. The course gathered 30 professionals specializing in the conservation and restoration of ancient architecture from various universities, culture heritage protection units, Architectural Design Institute, and construction companies. It offered a comprehensive platform for learning and exchange, where participants discussed innovative concepts and technologies in the field. It also fostered a deeper collaboration between Suzhou and Chaozhou in the areas of ancient city protection, cultural heritage preservation, and safeguarding of traditional building skills.

Participants actively engaged in class discussions and case analyses, addressing the specific challenges in the conservation of ancient architecture. In preparation for the presentations at the closing ceremony, they worked collaboratively in groups, capitalizing on their diverse expertise and completing group assignments to a high standard. The participants expressed that the training program will not only markedly improve the caliber of their future professional endeavors, but also broaden their professional horizons, offering them invaluable opportunities to connect with industry peers and share knowledge and resources.

Cultural heritage conservation is a complex and enduring endeavor that requires collective actions. Chaozhou's innovative strategies in ancient city protection have offered invaluable case studies for the training program. In recent years, Chaozhou has been gradually restoring the fabric of the ancient city, enhancing the living environment for its residents. The ¡°Hundreds of Families Repairing Hundreds of Houses¡± initiative, along with multi-channel funding and extensive social participation, has breathed new life into Chaozhou Ancient City. This approach, which fosters the continuation of traditional artisanship in heritage conservation, has emerged as an exemplary teaching resource for our programs participants

The conservation and restoration of traditional architecture is not just about preserving the past; it is about sustaining the cultural identity of our communities and ensuring the vitality of our urban landscapes. It is about fostering a sense of belonging and continuity, and it is about enabling our built heritage to contribute to the social, economic, and cultural development of our societies. By collaborating to organize this capacity building program, the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia aspires to infuse new energy and innovative approaches into the realm of ancient architectural conservation.