Icomos International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage

27/05/2026

✨ We are delighted to finally present the program and open the registration for the full-day seminar RETHINKING 20c NORDIC HERITAGE – Framework for Future Practice, taking place at Konventum in Helsingør, Denmark
Join experts from across the Nordic region, our keynote speaker Susan Macdonald (Head of Field Projects, Getty Conservation Institute & Co-President, ICOMOS ISC20C) and moderator Vaidas Petrulis, Kaunas University of Technology for a day of discussion, fresh perspectives, and networking on the future of 20th-century heritage
Together, we will explore how the new 20th Century Historic Thematic Framework (20cHTF) can help rethink, broaden and strengthen heritage practice in a Nordic context.
🔗 Read more: https://danmark.icomos.org/508-2/
📝 Sign up for the seminar: https://icomos.safeticket.dk/rethinking20cnordicheritage
This event is organized by ICOMOS Denmark, ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage (ISC20C), and our valued partners. Partners: ICOMOS Finland, ICOMOS Sweden, ICOMOS Norway, Faroe Islands National Museum, Museum of Åland and Property Board of Åland.
Supported by The A.P Møller Foundation, The Nordic Culture Fund, ICOMOS Sweden

21/05/2026

ISC20C 2026 Annual Colloquium
Adaptive Futures: Living with 20th-Century Heritage in a Changing World

16 October 2026
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Abstracts are invited on 20th-century heritage, climate resilience, adaptation, mitigation, living heritage and social values.

Submission deadline: 1 July 2026
Submit to: [email protected]

More information, key dates and submission guidelines are available on the website:
https://miklweb.wixsite.com/isc20c-agm-ac-2026

Kuching2026

06/05/2026

🔴 Heritage Alert 🔴
ICOMOS, together with its International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage (ISC20C) is issuing a worldwide Heritage Alert to amplify awareness of the threat to the in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova.
🏗️ The new U.S. Embassy development should preserve this important heritage, not demolish it. By thoughtfully integrating the remaining historic elements into the new design, this project could set a powerful international example of modern development and historic preservation working hand in hand.
❗ICOMOS is urging stronger legal protections for the site and its individual elements due to their significance as a rare surviving example of socialist realist sports architecture in Eastern Europe. The site’s preservation is critical for national memory and international scholarship.
Help us amplify the call to save Chișinău’s Republican Stadium: https://buff.ly/FQlCX2V

Maia Sandu Alexandru Munteanu

🔴 Heritage Alert 🔴

ICOMOS, together with its International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage (ISC20C) is issuing a worldwide Heritage Alert to amplify awareness of the threat to the in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova.

🏗️ The new U.S. Embassy development should preserve this important heritage, not demolish it. By thoughtfully integrating the remaining historic elements into the new design, this project could set a powerful international example of modern development and historic preservation working hand in hand.

❗ICOMOS is urging stronger legal protections for the site and its individual elements due to their significance as a rare surviving example of socialist realist sports architecture in Eastern Europe. The site’s preservation is critical for national memory and international scholarship.

Help us amplify the call to save Chișinău’s Republican Stadium: https://buff.ly/FQlCX2V



Maia Sandu Alexandru Munteanu

16/03/2026

ISC20C recently released an overview of the National Scientific Committees on 20th-Century Heritage (NSC20Cs) on its website.

The ICOMOS Ireland NSC20C currently includes 10 members and is dedicated to promoting the conservation of twentieth-century cultural heritage in Ireland. Its work focuses on raising public awareness and extending recognition and protection to twentieth-century buildings and sites.

The Committee’s Triennial Programme (2025–2027) reflects a strong commitment to research, advocacy, and knowledge sharing. Key initiatives include:

• Organising and promoting a major conference on 20th-century architecture
• Developing a county-by-county list of twentieth-century architectural heritage
• Supporting and showcasing adaptive reuse case studies
• Addressing the future of redundant twentieth-century churches
• Advocating for the conservation of twentieth-century architectural heritage
• Documenting and disseminating research on twentieth-century architecture

ISC20C warmly thanks Angela Rolfe, President of ICOMOS Ireland and Chairperson of the NSC20C, and the entire ICOMOS Ireland NSC20C for sharing their work and contributing to the growing international network dedicated to the conservation of twentieth-century heritage.

07/03/2026

🌍 ICOMOS ISC20C – AGM & Annual Symposium

We are pleased to share information about the upcoming Annual General Meeting and Scientific Symposium of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Twentieth-Century Heritage (ISC20C).

This annual gathering brings together international scholars, practitioners, and heritage professionals working on the conservation and interpretation of twentieth-century heritage. The event provides an important forum for reflecting on current challenges, exchanging research, and discussing emerging approaches to the protection and management of modern heritage.

📍 More information about the program and participation is available here:
https://isc20c.icomos.org/2026-agm-symposium/

22/02/2026

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS | ICOMOS GA2026 – Kuching, Malaysia

The Call for Abstracts is now OPEN for the Scientific Symposium session
Common Threads: Similarities for a Peaceful Future
at the upcoming ICOMOS GA2026 in Kuching, Malaysia.

This joint session—organised by IIWC, ICICH, ISCEAH, and ISC20C—invites reflections on shared expressions of cultural heritage across cultures and geographies. We are especially interested in how convergent architectural, spatial, symbolic, and cultural patterns—including those of the 20th century—can foster dialogue, mutual understanding, and peaceful futures 🕊️🏛️

🔍 ISC20C members & networks are warmly encouraged to submit abstracts and to help circulate the Call within their professional and academic communities.
💡 Contributions related to twentieth-century heritage, shared construction histories, and comparative cultural narratives are particularly welcome.

📅 Key dates
• Call opens: 20 January 2026
• Deadline: 30 April 2026

🔗 More information
👉 Session details: https://isc20c.icomos.org/call-for-abstracts-icomos-ga2026-scientific-symposium/
👉 Submission process: https://icomosga2026.com (Call for Abstracts section)

📩 For questions, please contact ISC20C Session Co-host Stephen Schrapel
📧 [email protected]

03/02/2026

“The expanding network of National Scientific Committees is a cornerstone of our field. As 20th-century heritage grows in importance, NSC20Cs are invaluable—both as sources of inspiration and as partners in outreach and action. Our new website page marks the first step in formalizing the liaison between NSCs and ISC20C and prepares us for the upcoming revision of the Dubrovnik-Valletta Principles. Together, we will ensure our collective voice shapes the future of heritage conservation.”
 Grethe Pontoppidan, Co-president ISC20C
 
ISC20C is excited to launch the initiative National Scientific Committees for 20th Century Heritage initiative (NSC20Cs)!

This initiative marks an exciting milestone in fostering global collaboration among NSC20Cs, strengthening our connections with ISC20C, and sharing valuable expertise across our community. As we prepare for upcoming initiatives, this collaboration will help build a stronger, more united global heritage network.

Discover how we’re building a stronger global heritage community dedicated to 20th century heritage: https://isc20c.icomos.org/nsc20cs/  

29/01/2026

ISC20C is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Stephen Schrapel as lead and primary contact for the GA2026 Scientific Symposium session “Common Threads: Similarities for a Peaceful Future.”

An experienced researcher and practitioner, Stephen’s work explores shared patterns in global heritage and the role of cultural exchange in shaping 20th-century environments. As ISC20C lead, he will coordinate the committee’s contributions and support the development of the Call for Abstracts.

👉 more info at the link: https://isc20c.icomos.org/isc20c-lead-appointed-for-ga2026-common-threads-session/

31/12/2025

📢 Call for Expressions of Interest – ICOMOS GA2026 Scientific Symposium

We are pleased to invite expressions of interest from ISC20C expert members to act as ISC20C lead and contact point for the ICOMOS GA2026 Scientific Symposium session: “Common Threads: Similarities for a Peaceful Future”

The session is initiated by Erkan Kambek, on behalf of the ICOMOS International Wood Committee (IIWC), with ISC20C participating as a collaborating International Scientific Committee.

🗓️ Deadline expression of interest:
January 2, 2026

👉 Find out more information on who to contact, role, and responsibilities on:
https://isc20c.icomos.org/call-to-isc20c-members-expert-contact-point-for-ga2026-session/

22/11/2025

📢 XI Conference on Modern Latin American Architecture – 20th Century Public Building

We are pleased to announce the 11th Conference on Modern Latin American Architecture which will take place on Google Meet.

📅 Wednesday, December 3, 2025
🕓 4:00 PM (Colombia)
🕕 6:00 PM (Argentina)
📍 Online — Google Meet

👉 More information and full program available on the ISC20C website: https://isc20c.icomos.org/meeting-latin-american-modern-architecture-day/