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When one looks at the accomplishments of the Global Heritage Foundation (GHF) one has to assume an entrenched bureaucracy, honed in it's procedures and connections over years of cooperation with governments around the world and guided by in-depth philanthropy from some generous family. After all they have developed a formula for rebuilding cherished historical and prehistorical sites and creating each as a magnet for on-going ecotourism. Thus, places that might continue to crumble and too soon disappear entirely have been saved for new generations. Take a look at their very informative website: www.globalheritagefund.org. You will find what they do so well and where they do it.
The surprise is that GHF is just over five years from being founded—by our speaker (Executive Director Jeff Morgan) and a professor of archaeology at Stanford (IanHodder.) The added surprise is that there are only eight employees still. All of their remarkable and laudatory accomplishments have been done by garnering expertise from volunteers—volunteers in the sciences and in diplomacy. And, by involving local peoples at each site and local and national governments where each site is located. Thus, the selection, the planning and the on-going work become cooperative efforts of those with the most at stake—those who previously may have ignored(or even damaged) the treasure that lay before them. The treasure is of historical value and economic value for generations into the future.
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Surkotada, Indus Civilization Site, Gujara |
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Wooden Sculptures of Foguang Temple |
GHF acts as the initial catalyst to spark the interest, make specific practical plans and generate the seed money to show the value of each site to those who can benefit the most, the locals. If they protect and restore they will draw people from a far that will bring far more resources to the local economy than before. Looting and destructive reuse of the materials or surrounding lands are shown to be very short sighted. Restoration and protection have an on-going and growth value.
After five years GHF has proven these concepts with very successful results.
Again, look at their website because, despite their youth and small size, the accomplishments are magnificent and new ventures are being approached each year. You may well want to devote some time and money to help!
How did they do it? Jeff discussed the approach, the methodology and practical steps, and the rationale for selection. It is simply: choose heritage sites in regions where the economy provides but a dollar a day to the locals! The upside is dramatic.
The staff and volunteers are gathered from the extensive network that abounds in Silicon Valley; GHF is a product of the Valley's success. Morgan, himself a trained preservationist and business manager spent two decades in sales and management in international high-technology firms. When he was able he took one more entrepreneurial step, and created GHF. His skills, honed in the profit sector, are put to good use in the day-to-day operation and expansion of this very effective not-for profit enterprise dedicated to saving remarkable places on our earth.
The details and progress is on the web; take a look. You will find some familiar names: El Mirador, Lijiang, Çatalhöyük, Kars, Izborsk, Foguang, My Son, Cyrene, Hampi—just to name a few. Makes one want to get involved.
Please direct media inquiries to:
GHF Press press@globalheritagefund.org
or (650) 325 7520
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