ICOMOS-USA Announces Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas as Keynote Speaker for Shared Heritage, Shared Future
International heritage leader and Vice President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Arab States Regional Group to headline October 2 celebration in Boston BOSTON, Mass. — ICOMOS-USA is honored to announce that Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas of Jordan will deliver the keynote address at Shared…
You don't want to miss this! This October, World Heritage USA and ICOMOS-USA invite you to gather in one of Boston's most remarkable historic places: The Liberty Hotel, home of our 2026 Celebration of World Heritage: Shared Heritage, Shared Future.
Located in the heart of Beacon Hill, Liberty Hotel Boston is far more than a luxury destination. Originally constructed in 1851 as the historic Charles Street Jail, the building stands as a remarkable example of preservation, adaptive reuse, and the power of heritage to connect the past with the future.
As we celebrate the theme Shared Heritage, Shared Future, there could be no more fitting venue. The Liberty Hotel represents what is possible when historic places are preserved, reimagined, and reintegrated into the life of a community. Once home to some of Boston's most famous inmates, the building now welcomes visitors from around the world while telling a compelling story of preservation and transformation. Tickets available now! Join us on October 2nd in Boston. usicomos.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F48882 ... See MoreSee Less
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ICOMOS-USA proudly celebrates the inscription of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on the Unesco World Heritage List, a landmark achievement recognizing one of the world's most extraordinary natural landscapes for its Outstanding Universal Value. The decision was made during the 48th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, Republic of Korea, where the refuge was inscribed under natural criteria (ix) and (x).
Spanning more than 400,000 acres across southeastern Georgia and northeastern Florida, the Okefenokee protects one of the world's largest intact freshwater peatland ecosystems. It provides critical habitat for hundreds of plant and animal species, preserves thousands of years of environmental history, and serves as the headwaters of both the Suwannee and St. Mary's Rivers.
This inscription reflects decades of dedicated work by conservation leaders, local communities, state and federal agencies, tribal partners, scientists, and advocates who recognized the global significance of the Okefenokee and worked tirelessly to secure its place on the World Heritage List. ICOMOS-USA extends its sincere congratulations to all who contributed to this remarkable accomplishment, including the leadership of Okefenokee Swamp Park and Executive Director Kim Bednarek, whose perseverance helped bring this vision to fruition.
"World Heritage designation represents the highest international recognition of a place's Outstanding Universal Value," said Milford Wayne Donaldson, FAIA, President, ICOMOS-USA. "The inscription of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a proud moment for the United States and for everyone committed to protecting our shared natural and cultural heritage. We congratulate the many partners whose dedication made this achievement possible and look forward to supporting the continued stewardship of this extraordinary landscape for generations to come."
As the U.S. National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), ICOMOS-USA is committed to advancing the principles of the World Heritage Convention and supporting the identification, conservation, and stewardship of places that hold exceptional value for all humanity.
The addition of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge strengthens the United States' contribution to the World Heritage List and demonstrates the enduring importance of international cooperation in protecting the world's irreplaceable natural and cultural treasures.
Congratulations to everyone whose vision, collaboration, and perseverance made this historic recognition possible. okefenokeeworldheritage.org/ ... See MoreSee Less
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📣Take Action! ICOMOS-USA and World Heritage USA are deeply concerned by the proposal to revoke protections for public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape is one of North America's most significant cultural landscapes and continues to hold profound cultural and spiritual importance for many Tribal Nations and Pueblo communities. Protecting World Heritage extends beyond preserving individual sites. It also means safeguarding the surrounding landscape that gives those places their meaning, integrity, and context.
We support a thorough and transparent review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act that includes meaningful consultation with Tribal Nations, preservation professionals, and other stakeholders. Decisions affecting places of exceptional cultural significance should be guided by sound preservation practices, respect for living heritage, and careful consideration of long-term impacts.
As an organization committed to preserving our shared cultural heritage, we encourage a thoughtful approach that protects the Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape for future generations.
We urge federal decision-makers to preserve the existing protections surrounding the Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape and ensure that any future actions fully respect Tribal consultation, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Outstanding Universal Value of this World Heritage Site.
Take Action: eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=D949F582-402D-F111-8341-001DD804183B
Photo Credit: www.npca.org/case-studies/chaco-culture-national-historical-park ... See MoreSee Less
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Monuments Toolkit Associates Madeline Bonner and Noah Price recently attended the ICOMOS University Forum Bergama Summer School in Türkiye. Read about their experience at worldheritageusa.org/lessons-from-bergama/. ... See MoreSee Less
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We're honored to welcome HRH Princess Dana Firas, Vice President of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Arab States Regional Group & President of ICOMOS-Jordan, as keynote speaker for the ICOMOS-USA World Heritage Celebration.
An internationally recognized advocate for cultural heritage, HRH Princess Dana Firas has dedicated her career to protecting historic places and connecting communities through heritage. Join us in Boston this October for an inspiring evening of leadership and preservation. Get your tickets today! usicomos.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F48882 ... See MoreSee Less
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Save the Date! 📍 Shared Heritage, Shared Future
Join us on October 2, 2026, at the City of Boston's historic Liberty Hotel Boston for an inspiring evening celebrating the people, partnerships, and places shaping the future of heritage conservation.
Connect with preservation leaders, advocates, and supporters from across the country as we honor our shared commitment to protecting cultural and natural heritage for generations to come.
✨ Registration is now open, and space is limited. Reserve your seat today! usicomos.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F48882
#ICOMOSUSA #SharedHeritageSharedFuture #WorldHeritage #HistoricPreservation #CulturalHeritage #boston ... See MoreSee Less
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We're reflecting on three days at the ICOMOS-USA 2026 Symposium in Philadelphia with inspiring conversations, new partnerships, and a shared commitment to protecting our cultural heritage.
Guided by this year's theme, Shared Heritage, Shared Future, attendees explored the evolving role of World Heritage, historic preservation, and cultural stewardship through engaging sessions, thoughtful dialogue, and meaningful connections.
Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and everyone who joined us. Your ideas, expertise, and passion made this year's symposium a tremendous success, and we look forward to continuing these conversations throughout the year.
#ICOMOSUSA #WorldHeritage #HistoricPreservation #CulturalHeritage #Philadelphia #SharedHeritageSharedFuture ... See MoreSee Less
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Day 2 of the ICOMOS-USA 2026 Symposium in Philadelphia built on the momentum of an inspiring opening keynote by W. Richard West Jr., whose reflections challenged us to think more deeply about the stories we preserve, the voices we elevate, and the responsibility we share in protecting our cultural heritage.
As sessions continued throughout the day, preservation professionals, scholars, students, and advocates explored this year's theme, Shared Heritage, Shared Future, through conversations about World Heritage, historic preservation, and the evolving role of heritage in our communities.
Thank you to everyone contributing your expertise, curiosity, and passion. Together, we're shaping the future of heritage preservation.
#ICOMOSUSA #WorldHeritage #HistoricPreservation #CulturalHeritage #Philadelphia #SharedHeritageSharedFuture ... See MoreSee Less
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