7-11 December 2003, Amman, Jordan: participants and speakers from all over the World joined in at the “Second International Conference on Science and Technology in Archeology and Conservation” expressing their deep regret for the destruction and looting of Iraqi Cultural Heritage objects and sites that took place eight months earlier.

On On that occasion, at a workshop entitled “Protection of Cultural Heritage during Times of Conflict”, the need for the creation of a new international voluntary entity especially dedicated to help protect cultural heritage during time of armed conflict was pointed out by participant Ms Saadet Guner (Turkey). The panel chaired by Prof. Talal Akasheh (Jordan), proposed the establishment of a follow up committee to discuss this matter and make recommendations to the Conference:

The selected committee was integrated by: Prof. Talal Akasheh (Jordan,), Dr. Nasser Al Shawi (Iraq), Prof. Hisham Elkadi (United Kingdom), Dr. Lina Khamis (UNESCO - Jordan), Prof. Jan Gunneweg (Israel); Prof. Maria Luisa Vitobello van Der Shoot, (Italy); Ms Eloise Aufret (France); Ms Saskia Ooms (Belgium); Mr Nicola Erriquez (Italy); Dr. Claudio Cimino (Italy), and Ms Saadet Güner (Turkey). At the closing session participants to the conference proposed that the follow up committee worked at the establishment of an international NGO dealing with the issue at hand. As a result:

7-8 April 2004, Rome, Italy:  The follow up committee members met in Rome with other cultural heritage experts to define the statutes, objectives, action plan, etc of the new organisation. The name chosen for the new NGO WATCH was confirmed by all the participants and its objectives were clearly stated. The statutes were discussed based and inspired on existing templates and finally drafted in a preliminary version. After several modifications and discussions the final version was handed for text revision and final.

18-21 July 2004, Izmir, Turkey: The follow up committee members Dr. Claudio Cimino and Prof. Hisham Elkadi were invited by Ms Saadet Guner to meet in İzmir on the occasion of the launching event of a training on the protection of cultural heritage that she organised with support from the WB programme in Turkey in cooperation with the local and regional authorities. This project represented the first concrete pilot experience in Civil Military cooperation promoted by a member of WATCH in line with the mission of the association. At the meeting the modalities to be followed for the official registration of WATCH were discussed.

7-11 December 2004, Jordan, Amman: Progress in the foundation of WATCH were announced during the Opening Session of the “Third International Conference on Science and Technology in Archaeology and Conservation” held in Jordan. The follow up committee members and new members worked at refining WATCH Statutes, its logo and the preparation of its web site. Several new members subscribed at the closing ceremony.

June 2005, Roma Italy: During this meeting the concept on WATCH was exposed to a limited number of people as part of the efforts made to gain further support.

7-11 December 2005, Jordan, Amman: During the Opening and Closing Sessions of  the “Fourth International Conference on Science and technology in Archeology and Conservation” held in Jordan, the foundation of WATCH was announced to the participants and its web site (http://www.eyeonculture.net) prepared by Maged Farrag (Egypt). Side meetings were held to consider the next steps needed for WATCH to meet its objectives.

27 December 2005, Rome, Italy:  WATCH was registered on December the 27th in Rome, Italy “as a non Profit Association’. The existence of WATCH is now officially.

13-14 March 2006: Cairo, Egypt:  WATCH founding members met for a two days gathering held in Cairo (Egypt) using a videoconferencing modality, under the kind hospitality of Maged Farrag. At the meeting the yearly plan of action for WATCH was discussed among other important institutional issues. Participants to this meeting were: Prof. Talal Akasheh (Jordan,), Prof. , Dr. Claudio Cimino (Italy), Saadet Güner (Turkey), Drs. Joris Kila (Netherlands), Maged Farrag (Egypt) and Prof. Giovanni Gigante (Italy).

11-13 July 2006, Rome, Italy:  The yearly Board of Trustees meeting took place at the Istituto del Catalogo e della Documentazione of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage in Rome. For the first time a general meeting of the eleven elected members of the BoT took place to set a long term comprehensive policy for the association.

04.12.2006, Rome (Italy) Izmir (Turkey): WATCH and its Turkish sister Association FOCUH (see: http://www.kumid.eu/en/) jointly initiated the study for a project to develop internationally shared strategy for the promotion of public awareness (targeting both military and civil society) on the needs to protect cultural heritage during times of armed conflicts. An international network set with the participation of WATCH associate members from several countries is set to implement the project. Forecast submission for financing of the project proposal due in 2008.

7-11 July 2007, Granada – Baeza (Spain):V International Conference on Science and Technology in Archaeology and Conservation. WATCH co-organised the conference in cooperation with the Legado Andalusi, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, and the University of Granada. A Workshop on ‘Risk and Preparedness for CH protection in times of conflicts’ was organised by WATCH within the framework of the conference. A multidisciplinary panel at expert level joined to address the topic at the highest level.

6-9 November 2007 in Vienna (Austria):10th Civil Military Relations Seminar (CMRX). Cultural ‘Heritage under threat during armed conflicts. Drawing scenarios for an active civil society in times of crises’. National Military Academy.23-24 November 2007. Bologna (Italy) Conference: ‘Proteggere l’Arte proteggere le persone – key speaker at the Final round table on ‘ Cultural Heritage protection within the current armed conflict’. Oratorio di San Filippo Neri

17-19 December 2007. Leuven (Belgium): Seminar on ‘Preventive Conservation, Monitoring, Maintenance of the architectural heritage’- PreCOMOS. Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation (RLICC) at the K.U. of Leuven. International initiative for the creation of a specialised chair at UNESCO

7-9 February 2008, Tallin (Estonia): International conference. Protecting Cultural Heritage in times of Armed Conflicts. Second Protocol to the Hague Convention – How to make it work.

4-5 March 2008. Pisa (Italy): EC Interrreg MEDOCC programme – Lecture on 'Cultural Heritage Management - tra buone intenzioni e realtà in evoluzione. Sulla necessità di conciliare politica, cultura, scienza e tecnologia applicate alla gestione del patrimonio culturale

3 April 2008, Ferrara (Italy): XV Salone dell'Arte del Restauro e della Conservazione - Conference on 'The role of CH operators and stakeholders in the preparation for Cultural Heritage protection during times of peace'.

13-14 June, 2008, Jeju (Republic of Corea): The Executive Council of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation approved WATCH application as an affiliated member. Final ratification of the decision should be taken by UNWTO General Assembly due in Kazakhstan in October 2009.

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