Supported by the Getty Foundation

IIC is pleased to announce a new Congress Scholars 2022-23 programme, ‘Adapt: leadership and conservation in a time of change’ to start at the IIC Wellington Congress this September. The programme will develop leadership potential among 30 mid-career conservation professionals from emerging economies.

Funded by the Getty Foundation, the programme will allow participants to develop skills, confidence and resilient networks to take their career to a new level. It will also offer space to reflect on the future of the profession and what leadership in conservation will mean in coming decades as we face big issues arising from the pandemic to the climate emergency.

Creating a diverse network of future leaders across the world

The programme is designed to connect and support a diverse group of people develop the  skills and confidence to  take on leadership roles, giving more equitable access to career development than has been the case in the past. For this reason, the programme will be entirely online with participation for conservation professionals in emerging economies including IIC priority regions for South America and Caribbean, Africa and South-East Asia and South Asia. All selected participants on the programme will receive a stipend of £200 to support taking part and a digital access grant of £100 to help with connectivity.

Launching at our IIC Wellington Congress 2022

The programme will be online and kick off at IIC’s hybrid Wellington Congress 2022, which takes place between 5 – 9 September. It will include a series of online Regional Live Hubs by world region where Adapt programme scholars will be able to network and discuss recent and future developments in conservation within their own time zone, in the company of major figures from the profession. Details of our Congress here.

A lively interactive online course with masterclasses/workshops, mentoring and action learning

The programme will then run from September 2022 – May 2023 averaging a commitment of four or five hours per month, and with a variety of engaging live events with course leaders, small groups, mentors and coaches. By the end participants will be equipped with new networks and contacts, new insights into their own leadership styles - plus a certificate of participation.

• Masterclasses/ Workshops, backed by online resources to develop leadership skills and confidence
• Small group meetings based around an ‘action learning’ model, in which 6 – 8 people regularly share real life challenges, and use them to generate fresh ideas and perspectives.
• 1-2-1 support to develop personal learning plans with a leadership coach
• Mentoring opportunities with a highly experienced mentor from the IIC Fellows’ network
• Free participation in the IIC Wellington Congress 2022, including access to all materials from the event for 12 months

Each participant will spend roughly 4-5 hours per month on Action Learning and 2 hours (with 2 hours of self-led study) at each online masterclass/workshop, spread over nine months, backed by additional mentoring and coaching sessions. This rounded format means that each IIC Congress Scholar will have time to gain a depth of understanding, paced to fit around other commitments.

The result will be a prestigious Continuing Professional Development, which each scholar will be able to use to enhance their own careers whilst contributing to an international programme, shared experiences, and greater connection to the conservation profession in their local context.

Applications open at iiconservation.org/adapt from Monday 13 June

This programme is made possible with support from the Getty Foundation through its Connecting Professionals / Sharing Expertise initiative.

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For more information about the Congress Scholars programme please contact: Ellie Sweetnam Tel: +44 7934 167 043 iic@iiconservation.org

Available for comment:

• Sarah Stannage, Executive Director IIC

About the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works

Founded in 1950 by members of the World War II ‘Monuments Men’ and women pioneers in the profession, IIC is the London-based independent international organisation, bringing together conservation professionals from around the world, educating, enabling and recognising excellence.

This commitment drives everything we do – from the intellectually stimulating Congresses to activities specifically tailored to capture the imagination and curiosity of students of conservation.

Our Studies in Conservation records and publishes the latest developments in the field, our enquiry-led Dialogues host discussions and the development of new ideas, our Awards recognise and celebrate the greatest achievements in our sector and promote the work of conservation professionals for the common good. Our highly sought-after Fellowships and Honorary Fellowships acknowledge the status and contribution of the highest achievers of the profession.

IIC is a charity, and our important work is made possible by our supporters and a range of independent sources of funding including membership fees, fundraising events, congresses and publications, and sponsorship.