One of SCHEP’s missions is to build the sustainability and self-reliance of Jordan’s cultural heritage sector. In order to support local heritage organizations and institutions, SCHEP has conducted trainings in key skills for heritage professionals, and continues to work closely with local entities such as the Department of Antiquities (DOA), Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Wadi Rum Protected Area (WRPA), and the Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority (PDTRA).
Alongside its partners, SCHEP helps develop internal and country-wide policies and guidelines for CHR management and conducts results-oriented hands-on training, knowledge transfer, and training of trainer programs designed to build a cadre of skilled professionals at the forefront of this important field. Thereby, the project seeks to ensure the sustainability of the progress it has thus far achieved, and equip the heritage sector with the tools and resources it needs to succeed after the project has ended.
SCHEP is also working to enhance the sharing of information about Jordan’s CHRs by developing the Jordan Cultural Heritage Portal, a comprehensive resource hub for CHR related information and knowledge in Jordan, and facilitating conferences, workshops, and other programs.
As part of its efforts to foster a robust enabling environment around Jordan’s CHRs and support the community of practice, SCHEP supports the development of policies and guidelines around site management and other CHR topics.
Building on SCHEP’s substantial experience working at sites with different environmental, community, and site development needs, we have created a list of general best practices for site management. These guidelines are intended to augment the strong work already being done by Jordan’s community of practice, working on both a site-by-site and national level.
In addition to assisting government employees, these guidelines also serve as an important educational resource for students and recent graduates seeking to enter the workforce in the CHR field. The guidelines provide general background information, outline the process of creating a site management plan, set minimum standards of conduct for site management, create a clear system for monitoring and review, offer an open and transparent process for grants and proposal development, and generate common understanding for various stakeholders, including property owners, governments, NGOs, and archaeologists and heritage professionals.
SCHEP has played a leading role in the formulation of new Archaeological Site Usage Guidelines for Jordan, as well as Jordan’s Archaeological Heritage Strategy for 2020–2024. In the process of preparing both of these important policies, SCHEP has consulted with various stakeholders and experts, fostering exchanges of view and information and generating vital discussions about the future of Jordan’s heritage. Both of these policies are still forthcoming, and will be linked on this page once they have been released.
SCHEP has also worked with its partners on several documents and policies related to management of Jordan’s World Heritage Sites. In Petra, SCHEP collaborated with the PDTRA to develop a State of Conservation report and an Integrated Management Plan for submission to the World Heritage Committee. These documents are crucial for this important site to maintain its World Heritage status. For Umm al Jimal, SCHEP played a significant role in helping to prepare a dossier for submission of the site to the World Heritage Committee. As of 2019, it is under consideration for addition to the World Heritage List, a major achievement for Jordan and a potential driver of future tourism to the site.
