Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
between state and
kastom
systems, the focus should be on facilitating spaces for
dialogue wherein actors from both realms can meet - following simple, transparent,
mutually agreed-upon, legitimate, and accountable rules - to craft new arrangements
that all sides can own and enforce (Sage et al.
2009
).
The third challenge is probably the most system-inherent one. In the process of
site nomination, the nomination dossier must prove that the area to be protected
under WHC is sufficiently protected on the national or local level. The Operational
Guidelines for the Implementation of the Convention (OGIC) (UNESCO
1977
)
detail the legislative protection required to effectively protect the site. Art. 97 OCIG
(2008 amended version) singles out “adequate protective legislation
at the national
,
provincial
or
municipal level
and/or traditional level for the nominated property”.
(UNESCO
2008
: 25). The OGIC does not, however, provide reference to the inter-
national system of agreements and conventions of relevance for cultural heritage
protection
9
which requires states parties to set up an integrated legislative protection
plan for heritage sites. In other words, no international assignment is necessary: the
country on whose territory the proposed site lies does not have to be a state party
to other international agreements in the area of cultural protection.
The absence of a condition making membership in relevant international agree-
ments compulsory for state parties wishing to see their national sites included on the
WHC list seems an important omission given the advantages international and/or
regional agreements may provide for small island developing states in their natural
conservation endeavors. If added, such an incentive would increase acceptance of
relevant international documents in a country such as Vanuatu, which has signed
and/or ratified only a few such agreements. It would necessitate awareness campaigns
amongst government and civil society so that stakeholders in Vanuatu would be
enabled to make informed decisions on the ratification of international instruments
related to natural resource conservation. Such a change would clarify the grounds on
which small island states engage with the international community. It may also
diminish or eliminate a rather negative attitude amongst Pacific island state repre-
sentatives, who often seem convinced that their small, isolated nations are un-
equipped to engage with the international system and have no substantial effect on
transnational politics.
Conclusion
Vanuatu's Chief Roi Mata Domain is one of only five UNESCO nominated cultural
heritage sites in the Pacific region. It provides Pacific people and the international
community with an insight into the island's unique social and political history and
its relation to that of the wider Melanesian population. The undisputable and
universal value in protecting cultural heritage underscores the importance of
9
Examples of such agreements can be found in Tables
3.2
and
3.3
, Annex.
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