Summary Report for FY '08: Pacific Island Archaeology Conference in the 21st Century: Relevance and Engagement, Grant no. 70-08-21762

Liston, Jolie

"The Republic of Palau hosted the Pacific Island Archaeology in the 21st Century: Relevance and Engagement conference on July 1-3, 2009. The event was organized by the Palau Bureau of Arts and Culture, the Belau National Museum, and Garcia and Associates: Natural and Cultural Resource Consultants with the assistance of the Palau Community Action Agency. The theme of the conference was “Dikesel a Beluu” (Natural and Cultural Heritage). In a period of rapid economic development, globalization, and climate change, it is necessary to use a holistic approach to adequately address the threats and impacts brought to Pacific Island heritage. This approach not only reinforces the necessary union of natural and cultural resource conservation and management but ensures the voice of the local community stakeholders are joined with those of the academics, scientists, and heritage resource professionals. The conference goal was to regain and reinforce this balance while emphasizing the need for the continuation of this multi-perspective, encompassing approach throughout the coming century. Through the topics chosen for the sessions and keynote speeches, the focus on discussion based sessions, the emphasis placed on ensuring a wide range of Pacific communities were represented, and the strong advertising campaign promoting the conference to Palau’s local stakeholders the conference met its goals. The emerging relationships concerned with the Australia-Pacific region’s contemporary issues of economic development and climate change—particularly rising sea level, merging natural and cultural heritage management, identity, and community engagement were defined and discussed. Tools were provided for Pacific communities to promote and implement sustainable economic development strategies, such as heritage tourism, that create community-based employment opportunities, conserve the islands’ limited and non-renewable resources, and empower community members." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Bureau of Arts and Culture/Palau Historic Preservation Program, Ministry of Community & Cultural Affairs, Government of Palau, Republic of Palau, administered by the Pacific West Regional Office, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior (grant number 70-08-21762).

Summary Report for FY '08: Pacific Island Archaeology Conference in the 21st Century: Relevance and Engagement, Grant no. 70-08-21762

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