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CHCD2026 Opens in Beijing: Global Forum Explores New Pathways for Cultural Heritage Digitization
2026-09-14 ICCSD

CHCD2026

On September 9, the 8th International Symposium on Cultural Heritage Conservation and Digitization (CHCD2026) opened at Tsinghua University. Under the theme "Re-sonance: Intelligence for Heritage Alive", the symposium is scheduled to run from September 9 to 12 and brings together experts and scholars from more than 20 countries and regions, along with key representatives from the culture, technology and industry sectors, to explore new approaches to digitally conserving cultural heritage and passing it on in an innovative manner.

Greece is the guest of honor at this year's symposium. During a special session on Greece, industry experts from China and Greece held in-depth discussions on cutting-edge topics, including the precision surveying and mapping for cultural heritage sites, the application of digital twin technology, and the development of smart heritage information systems. Participants shared advanced practices and built consensus on further cooperation.

At the opening ceremony, a flagship project was announced for the establishment of a China-Greece joint digital heritage laboratory, marking a major step in the two countries' cooperation on cultural heritage digitization—from establishing mechanisms to implementing concrete projects.

A China-Italy digital cultural tourism cooperation project was also officially launched during the symposium, building on deep civilizational ties and a solid foundation for cooperation. Four parties—the Civita Mostre e Musei, Tsinghua Heritage Institution for Digitization, the Xilin Gol League Cultural Heritage Protection and Research Center, and the People's Government of Zhenglan Banner of Xilin Gol League—signed a memorandum of cooperation. This is expected to advance comprehensive and practical cooperation between the two countries in World Heritage conservation and inheritance, the application of digital technologies, and high-quality development of the cultural tourism industry.

Culture, Creativity, Technology and Sustainable Development

The theme of this year's symposium resonates with UNESCO's position that culture is both a driver of sustainable development and a global public good. The 2022 MONDIACULT Declaration emphasizes that culture should be integrated into sustainable development policies and protected and promoted as a global public good.

UNESCO's 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage emphasizes that the safeguarding of living heritage depends on community participation and intergenerational transmission. Digital tools can expand documentation, education and dissemination, but they should not replace communities' continued practice and recreation of heritage.

In the creative economy, UNESCO's 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions addresses the rights of creators, the diversity of cultural expressions, and the opportunities and challenges presented by the digital environment.

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network treats culture and creativity as strategic factors for sustainable urban development, while the UNESCO Culture|2030 Indicators provide a methodology for measuring culture's contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Conclusion

The significance of CHCD2026 lies not only in showcasing technological solutions, but also in advancing cross-cultural, cross-sectoral and intergenerational dialogue, so that digitization serves living heritage, creative ecosystems and sustainable development.

Compiled from CRI Online and UNESCO

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The International Center for Creativity and Sustainable Development under the Auspices of UNESCO (Category 2) was approved at the 38th session of UNESCO General Assembly in November 2015. In 2017, the People's Government of Beijing Municipality signed the agreement with UNESCO. ICCSD becomes the world's first UNESCO Category 2 center with the theme of "creativity and sustainable development". With the support and guidance of UNESCO, the Center intends to build the world's high-level international platform that aims at creativity and sustainable development, and includes the functions of research, training, cooperation, communication, demonstration etc. The Center shall become a first-class think-tank gathering talents throughout the world, building a global renowned "laboratory of thoughts" with a focus on creativity and innovation. It shall promote cultural exchanges and cooperation, disseminate and support Chinese enterprises, technology and culture.
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