The 12th International Conference of National Trusts, New Delhi, focused on ‘Heritage and Development’ – a well-considered theme of vital concern for the widest range of societies and cultures around the globe. The thrust was for greatest possible inclusivity, giving scholars the possibility to address issues of heritage in the context of wider human issues, like impact of globalization, livelihood, sustainability, peoples in conflict, and cultural values of intangible heritage. This volume carries the conference presentations.

Bringing together specialists from fifty countries of Central and South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Latin America, France, UK, Australia, and North America, the volume sets out scholarly perspectives on wide-ranging heritage issues that confront the today’s world, and how possibly they can be resolved. The 72 papers here are offered in 11 thematically-organized sections -- Heritage and Globalization, Conservation of Heritage in Regions of Conflict and Natural Disasters, Heritage Tourism, Funding for Conservation Projects, Regional Cooperation, the Role of National Trusts, Legislation, Heritage and Conservation Management, Urban Renewal, Heritage Education, and Intangible Heritage.

Held for the first time in India, this conference was essentially a landmark event too! It was here that the International National Trusts Organization (INTO) was formally launched. The INTO is intended to draw together Trusts from across the globe into a viable, well-integrated entity to speak with one voice for the communities of the world. The conference was organized by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).