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on November 5, 2025

  • International

Published on December 15, 2025– Updated on December 15, 2025

Heritage-Sensitive Conservation Policies – International Symposium at Chiang Mai University

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Co-organized with CY Cergy Paris University, this symposium brought together academic experts, conservation specialists, and Indigenous practitioners from around the world around the theme: 'State-of-the-Art on Heritage Conservation Policies of Sacred Forests and Spiritual Landscapes in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and Southeast Asia’s Terrestrial Ecoregions'

The event was organized by Dr Alessandra Manzini (PLACES, CY Cergy Paris University) as part of the SPIRAL project (funded by the EUTOPIA SIF Alliance), and in connection with the BA Heritage Project (funded by the British Academy), led by Dr Marco J. Haenssgen at Chiang Mai University.

The event highlighted the importance of fully recognizing Indigeneity as a relational and powerful way of understanding and caring for the Earth—a message that was particularly timely during Forestry Week in Chiang Mai and just days ahead of COP30. It also underscored the essential role of sacred forests and spiritual landscapes in sustainable environmental governance, both in Thailand and internationally. Participants emphasized that biodiversity protection is not solely an ecological matter, but one that is deeply rooted in culture, identity, and spiritual relationships with landscapes.

The presentation sequence is available here.