On 25 February 2008, an expert mission from the International Centre for the Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM) visited Welfare Association (WA) Old City of Jerusalem Revitalization Program (OCJRP) offices. The mission included Mr. Mounir Bouchenaki, ICCROM Director General, and two training curriculum experts, Professor Andrea Urland and Dr. Simone Ricca.

ICCROM has been tasked with curriculum development for the OCJRP’s new Institute of Architectural Heritage Preservation, a 3-year project implemented by WA in partnership with UNESCO and funded by the European Commission to train professionals and practitioners in restoration methods. The mission was the first of several scheduled activities by ICCROM toward curriculum development.

ICCROM is the only institution of its kind with a worldwide mandate to promote the conservation of all types of cultural heritage. It aims at improving the quality of conservation practice as well as raising awareness about the importance of preserving cultural heritage. 

During the mission, the delegation participated in a stakeholders meeting in Ramallah with representatives of organizations working in the field of conservation including the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee, the Center for Cultural Heritage Preservation in Bethlehem, Birzeit University, Al Najah University, Al Quds Committee for Welfare and Development, the Deputy Minister and the Director General of the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. They also met with local partners and practitioners including contractors working on projects implemented in Jerusalem by OCJRP.