Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
09BAGHDAD1110 | 2009-04-26 12:37:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Baghdad |
VZCZCXYZ0003 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHGB #1110/01 1161237 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 261237Z APR 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2843 |
UNCLAS BAGHDAD 001110 |
1. (U) The Embassy Science Fellows Program offers an important opportunity to bring US government experts to Iraq, where they would be assigned to teach one- to three-month courses in the area of their expertise within the field of cultural heritage at the newly established National Training Institute for the Preservation of Iraqi Cultural Heritage in Erbil, (Kurdistan) Iraq. 2. (U) In accordance with the Strategic Framework Agreement the overarching goal of the Institute is to enhance the capabilities of the Iraq State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) as a national heritage organization and to develop sustainable professional partnerships between the SBAH and the collaborating international organizations. Established with grant funding from US Embassy Baghdad, the Institute is presently operated under the professional guidance of the Walters Art Museum, the Winterthur Museum, the University of Delaware Art Conservation Department, the US National Park Service, and SBAH. By the end of the two-year grant period, in January 2011, the Institute will be maintained and operated fully by SBAH. 3. (U) Post seeks one or more scientific experts in the fields of museum development, conservation, and/or archaeology to serve as visiting faculty in Erbil for periods of one to three months each. The dates are flexible and will be determined in accordance with the academic schedule of the Institute. Successful candidates must have professional museum and/or teaching experience. In addition, familiarity with Middle Eastern culture and Arabic or Kurdish language skills are a plus. A security clearance is not required. If a fellow stays 59 days or longer, a medical clearance will be necessary. 4. (U) The specific project would entail teaching professional development classes of 6 to 20 adult students on leave from their positions within the SBAH. Classes will be taught in English with translation provided as needed. Fully equipped modern laboratories and classrooms will be available for use. Students and faculty will have access to computers, high-speed internet, and professional software during and outside of class time. 5. (U) Museum development, collection conservation, and archaeology are the three general types of courses that would benefit the Institute. Museum development courses might specifically address object documentation and electronic cataloguing; proper display and storage of museum collections; and emergency recovery and risk management. Collection conservation courses could address preventive care, stabilization, and treatment techniques for museum objects; the philosophy and ethics of conservation and preservation; and relevant science and analytical methods. Archaeology courses could address archaeological methods and theory, survey techniques, ground and remote sensing, and site protection and stabilization. Fellows may teach general courses or focus on an area of their specific expertise, such as museum storage systems, the conservation of metal objects, or archaeological survey. 6. (U) Fellows from any agency are welcome, although the Smithsonian Institution would offer expertise that most closely matches the needs of the National Training Institute for the Preservation of Iraqi Cultural Heritage. In particular, the following Smithsonian experts might be considered: Harriet Beaubien, Museum Conservation Institute (archaeological conservation); Chris Cole, National Air and Space Museum (conservation science); Jenifer Bosworth, Freer Qand Space Museum (conservation science); Jenifer Bosworth, Freer Gallery of Art (object conservation); Greta Hansen, National Museum of Natural History (collections management and object conservation); Carol Grissom, Museum Conservation Institute (object conservation and mounts); Paul Jett, Freer Gallery of Art (object conservation, especially metals); Ellen Salzman Chase, Freer Gallery of Art (object conservation, especially ceramics); Marian Kaminitz, NMAI (ethnographic object conservation); Emily Kaplan, NMAI (archaeological materials); Susan Heald, NMAI (textile conservation). 7. (U) The Embassy Science Fellow will be provided office space in the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy. In country travel will be through normal embassy operations, currently helicopter and ground movements. While in Baghdad housing will be a shared two-bedroom apartment. While in Erbil, housing will be a room in a shared house. Visitors must adhere to all established security guidelines while in country. 8. (U) The Regional Security Office at Embassy Baghdad concurs with this request, as long as RSO resources are available and the security environment permits the particular activity. The Embassy Science Fellow will not/not work with classified material or in a classified environment so no security clearance is necessary. 9. (U) Diane Siebrandt, Cultural Heritage Liaison Officer; Email: siebrandtdc@state.gov. Phone contact 1-240-553-0581 Ext: 2588 or (964) 770 443 0936 or (964) 790 132 0209. HILL |