APLA Organizes an Advanced Training on the Role of Technology in Protecting Cultural Heritage

As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the role of local authorities in preserving national heritage, APLA organized a specialized training session on the use of modern technologies in protecting cultural heritage. The session was held within APLA’s 2025 Cultural Heritage Capacity-Building Program, in joint implementation with the French organization “Sites et Cités Remarquables”, and brought together participants from the engineering, cultural heritage, and public relations departments of 12 local authorities.

The training focused on enhancing participants’ knowledge of digital technologies and innovative tools for documentation, inventory, and community participation in heritage preservation. The session opened with remarks by George Joseph, Head of the Culture Unit at UNESCO, who highlighted local and regional experiences in using technology — such as virtual museums, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence — to document heritage sites and raise community awareness about cultural identity.

The Riwaq Centre for Architectural Conservation, represented by Eng. Yousef Taha, presented a practical demonstration on documenting heritage buildings using advanced imaging technologies and producing digital 3D models that help safeguard historic landmarks from deterioration. Meanwhile, Florence Guionneau-Joie, Cultural Project Expert at France’s Heritage Innovation Agency (Heritech), shared French municipal experiences in integrating technology into heritage work through interactive tools, digital tours, and virtual reality applications.

This training is part of APLA’s broader mission to empower Palestinian local authorities by drawing on international expertise in cultural heritage preservation and building the technical capacities of municipal staff. It aims to promote the use of innovative technological solutions in safeguarding Palestine’s collective memory, while strengthening the connection of younger generations to their cultural identity through adaptable, locally relevant heritage protection practices.

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