Dear Colleagues and Friends,

we are honoured to invite you to the XX Symposium of CIPA, the ICOMOS & ISPRS Committee on Documentation of Cultural Heritage, to be held in Torino on September 27th > October 1st, 2005.

The XX CIPA Symposium will provide an opportunity to exchange opinions, experiences and proposals on the best practice and tools to document, preserve and manage the Cultural Heritage, whether architectural, archaeological and natural. The main goal of the Symposium is to illustrate the programs underway, whether organised by public bodies (e.g. UNESCO, European Community, National States, etc.) or by private foundations (e.g. Getty Foundation, World Heritage Foundation, etc.) in order to promote a common approach to the tasks of recording, documenting, protecting and managing the World Cultural Heritage.

To reach this ambitious goal the topics covered will include experiences in the use of innovative recording technologies & methods and how to take best advantage of the results obtained to build up new instruments and improved methodologies for documenting and managing the Cultural Heritage.

Accordingly photogrammetry, laser scanning, direct survey, integrated survey techniques, GIS, geophysics, archaeological surveying and representation methods will be the focus of discussion at the next Symposium.

Therefore:
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION TO SAVE THE WORLD'S CULTURAL HERITAGE
has been chosen as the theme of the XX CIPA Symposium to underscore the notion that only the international cooperation between public and private endeavours can provide viable solutions to safeguard and preserve the World Cultural Heritage for future generations.

The aim is the use of surveying to have a better knowledge, respectful safeguard of the common cultural heritage with its unique stratification and material aspects.

We look forward to welcoming you to the XX CIPA Symposium to share your knowledge and experience with the other participants.