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MORE EQUITY NEEDED IN INTERNATIONAL FIELD SCHOOLS
The World Archaeological Congress calls for international archaeological field schools to aspire to an equal collaboration and fair resource distribution between visiting project teams and students, and local organizations.
“Most international archaeological field schools originate in wealthier countries but are held in financially disadvantaged countries,” said Professor Claire Smith, President of the World Archaeological Congress.
“In some parts of the world these field schools are the only access that communities have to archaeological knowledge and methodological techniques. While they provide valuable services they also need to be built on a more equal approach to resource distribution.”
The Student Committee of the World Archaeological Congress stated: “We should be aspiring to an equal collaboration and fair resource distribution between the visiting project teams and students, and local organizations.”
The World Archaeological Congress is committed to increasing the intellectual richness of archaeology through redressing global inequities.
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Further Information:
Professor Claire Smith
Mobile: 0872 698 353 (Ireland)
Email: claire.smith@flinders.edu.au
Dr Akira Matsuda
Out-going Chair, Student Committee
wac.membership@googlemail.com
Background:
The World Archaeological Congress (WAC) is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization and is the only elected international body of practising archaeologists. WAC holds an international congress every four years to promote the exchange of the results of archaeological research; professional training and public education for disadvantaged nations, groups and communities; the empowerment and betterment of Indigenous groups and First Nations peoples; and the conservation of archaeological sites.
The Sixth World Archaeological Congress (WAC-6) was held from 29th June—4th July at the University College Dublin. This was the first World Archaeological Congress to be held in Ireland. It was attended by over 1,800 archaeologists, native peoples and international scholars from 74 nations. Motions from the Plenary session of the Congress were considered by subsequent meetings of the World Archaeological Congress Council and Executive.
The Congress Patron for WAC-6 was President Mary McAleese. Previous Congress Patrons include Harriet Mayor Fulbright, Prince Charles and Nelson Mandela.
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