Archaeologists Without Borders is a unique endeavor aimed at supporting archaeological education and training in economically disadvantaged countries and strengthening regional networks of students in archaeology. Through a network of training programs, WAC members in different parts of the world may travel to the host institutions of other WAC members to provide educational opportunities, and to learn from the archaeological communities they visit. This program derives from the WAC mission to foster international academic interaction, and to redress economic barriers to education about archaeology.

The World Archaeological Congress provides support for students from the host country and neighbouring countries to attend lectures, workshops and other events. The host university is expected to provide accommodation, food and ground transport for the guest lecturer, and the guest lecturer is expected to provide their expertise in a voluntary capacity. Scholars from the first world are encouraged to finds outside support to cover the cost of international airfare, where possible, though WAC may also provide this support.

The Archaeologists Without Borders program is being trialled in 2009, in Nigeria and Colombia. It was was run at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria 18-22 February, Professor Peter Schmidt (University of Florida, U.S.A.) presented the 9th Bassey Andah Memorial Lecture on the topic of African Archaeology and the Ancestors'. The Archaeologists Without Borders program was run at Santa Marta, Colombia, 22-29 May, in collaboration with the Fulbright Commission, the Colombian Society of Archaeology and the University of the Magdalena. A workshop "Current archaeological Theory" was led by Professor Joan Gero of the American University, Washington DC. Future developments of the program will be developed based on these trials.

Participation in this program is open to WAC members only.

DONATE TO 'Archaeologists Without Borders' via paypal below, e-mail or fax. [download form English/Spanish]

All enquiries should be forwarded to :

Claire Smith
President, World Archaeological Congress
Department of Archaeology
Flinders University of South Australia
GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, S.A. 5001, Australia
Ph: +61 8 8201 2336