Dr. Hyeseung Shim was invited as a speaker for the International Symposium organised by UNESCO WHIPIC, entitled “Inclusive Heritage Interpretation of World Heritage Sites”, held from 11 to 12 December 2025, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. 

The International Symposium on “Inclusive Heritage Interpretation of World Heritage Sites” was organised by the International Centre for the Interpretation and Presentation of World Heritage Sites under the auspices of UNESCO (UNESCO WHIPIC) from 11 to 12 December 2025 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The first day of the symposium consisted of a closed expert meeting, which discussed recent World Heritage Committee Decisions, as well as strategic directions for the preparation and agenda analysis of the upcoming World Heritage Committee session to be held in Busan, Republic of Korea, in 2026. The meeting also featured presentations on the 2025 UNESCO WHIPIC research outcomes and corresponding policy recommendations. On Day 1, Dr. Shim, who specialises in the implementation of World Heritage Convention, presented an analysis of digital heritage discourses within the World Heritage Committee, contributing to discussions on future directions for inclusive heritage interpretation and governance.

The second day of the symposium took the form of an international symposium addressing three major themes under “World Heritage Interpretation: Community, Memory, and Future.” On Day 2, Dr. Shim delivered a talk entitled “Shifting Paradigms in UNESCO’s Digital Heritage Agenda: Memory, Innovation, and Future Strategy,” alongside presentations by international experts from Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Korea.

The international symposium concluded with a group discussion chaired by Chair Professor In-ho Song, Emeritus Professor at the University of Seoul and former President of ICOMOS Korea.