A dilemma of World Heritage ideals and challenges in Southeast Asia

Fifty years after the ratification of the World Heritage Convention, a significant gap exists between UNESCO's ideals of protecting heritage sites with outstanding universal values and the realities faced by iconic Southeast Asian sites like Borobudur (Indonesia), Sukhothai and Ayutthaya (Thailand), and Angkor (Cambodia). These ancient monumental heritage sites, often converted into visitor parks for capitalization, face challenges that threaten their authenticity and integrity while sparking contestation between authorities and local communities. The study explores potential effective approaches for UNESCO and its partners to address this dilemma, aiming to reconcile World Heritage ideals with on-the-ground realities.

Miura, K. (2022). A dilemma of World Heritage ideals and challenges in Southeast Asia. International Journal of Cultural Property, 29(4), 433–457. https://doi.org/10.1017/s094073912200025x