Seeking a Keynote Speaker

On 1-2 December 2023, Dalian Maritime University is hosting the 3rd Asian Regional Workshop on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage in Dalian.

Held in Asia, by Asia, for Asia, the first two workshops invited high-level government officials, experienced policy-makers, preeminent practitioners, and influential academics from 22 Asian jurisdictions to examine how each nation, and the region as a whole, is working toward the protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage through legislative, policy and practical responses. The workshops considered the challenges to robust UCH protection in the region.

Additionally, UNESCO and INTERPOL spoke about possible ‘universal’ solutions, and the group discussed how we might mitigate future impacts through intra-regional cooperation.

One of the most pressing challenges is the protection of underwater cultural heritage in Asia’s international waters.

This is not limited to the wholesale salvage of war-time of shipwrecks, such as HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, for their (low-background) steel or the commercial exploitation of ancient shipwrecks for their prized porcelains. It’s a multi-faceted issue that current regimes and approaches are not adequately addressing. Hence the immediate need to find a new way forward.

If you are, or know, an Asian expert in International Law, Maritime Law, and Cultural Heritage Law, Ocean Governance, and Marine Policy, Cultural Diplomacy, Resource Management and have a deep understanding of and significant experience working with this issue, we would like to hear from you!

Why? We are seeking a keynote on this topic at our in-person workshop in Dalian (中国大连市) this December. The keynote should be from the region and someone who is committed to engaging with the issue/working group beyond this one workshop.

If you would like to know more, suggest yourself, or recommend another, please email us at workshops@underwaterheritage.asia.

Please also feel free to share with colleagues who may be interested.