Archeological forum, expo held

JAKARTA: The World Archeological Wonders International Conference and Exhibition opened on Sunday at Borobudur Temple in Yogyakarta. The opening was attended by scholars, heritage site managers and policy makers from home and abroad.

The four-day forum will focus on how heritage sites can empower local communities, especially small enterprises. Other activities being organized include an intensive training program for around 1,000 peddlers, an international art competition and an art bazaar and exhibition.

Organizer Wiendu Nuryanti from the World of Archeological Wonders said in a press statement that Dawid J. de Villiers, the secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization, and Central Java Governor Mardiyanto would also attend the conference.

Also scheduled to address the forum are Pontjo Sutowo of the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board, presidential adviser on tourism Joop Ave, Roland Silva of the International Council on Monuments and Sites and Stephen Hill of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Local cultural figures such as I Made Bandem, Putu Wijaya and Sardono W. Kusumo are also on the list of scheduled speakers, as are Michitaro Yamaoka of the Japan National Trust, Elizabeth Moore of the London-based School of Oriental and African Studies and Pier Giovanni Guzzo, the superintendent of Archeological Area of Pompeii in Italy. (swe)