Abstract
Digital Heritage Diplomacy and the Scottish Ten Initiative
Association of Critical Heritage Studies Bi-Annual Conference Book of Abstracts, p.50
Association of Critical Heritage Studies Bi-Annual Conference (Canberra, Australia, 02-Dec-2014–04-Dec-2014)
2014
Abstract
In 2009 the Scottish Government launched the Scottish Ten initiative, a digital heritage programme that was driven by advancements in 3D scanning technology. The aim of the Scottish Ten was to document Scotland's five UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as an additional five international heritage sites, the latter group being determined by the Government's diplomatic agenda. Four of these international sites have now been scanned: Mt Rushmore (U.S.), Rani Ki Vav Stepwell (India), Eastern Qing Tombs (China), and the Sydney Opera House (Australia); the fifth international site has not yet been announced. The Scottish Government have recently instigated a second digital heritage project, the scanning of the Scottish conservationist John Muir's homes in Scotland and California, and while this project is separate to the Scottish Ten it utilises the same technology and is accompanied by similar diplomatic rhetoric. The Scottish Government favours the use of these kinds of diplomatic engagements as an important part of its soft power agenda; under the devolution agreement Scotland is not permitted to engage independently in foreign affairs, but cultural and educational initiatives provide a loop-hole through which Scotland is able to forge international partnerships. The Scottish Government has acknowledged that the Scottish Ten initiative is part of a broader diplomatic agenda, and that the international sites included in the Ten are selected on the basis of their countries' contributions to Scottish ambitions. The demonstration of Scottish expertise in the field of heritage documentation has also been a driving factor in these international engagements, as the Scottish Government is keen to promote its position at the forefront of what Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond refers to as the 'digital diplomacy' movement. These examples of digital heritage initiatives undertaken on an international scale raise a number of questions, and this paper will use the Scottish examples as a basis for highlighting several key issues that warrant further exploration. What are the benefits of digital heritage diplomacy to the instigating and recipient nations (or communities), and are these benefits short- or long-term? What are the risks, and how do these differ between instigating and recipient nations (or communities)? What role should international agencies such as UNESCO play in the governance and ongoing management of these digital programmes, or is it possible that these kinds of programmes circumvent the likes of UNESCO altogether? This paper aims to draw attention to an emerging area of heritage diplomacy, and in doing so, to foster discussion on the existing frameworks of governance and their ability to manage such diplomatic agendas in the future.
Details
- Title
- Digital Heritage Diplomacy and the Scottish Ten Initiative
- Authors
- Amy Clarke (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Association of Critical Heritage Studies Bi-Annual Conference Book of Abstracts, p.50
- Conference details
- Association of Critical Heritage Studies Bi-Annual Conference (Canberra, Australia, 02-Dec-2014–04-Dec-2014)
- Publisher
- Australian National University
- Date published
- 2014
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450729002621
- Output Type
- Abstract
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