Lecture: The Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Andean Ecotourism

March 29, 2006 and March 30, 2006

The legends of Machu Picchu come to Jacksonville! Culture comes alive as Peru professor Dante Astete-Canal unveils ancient Inca cities while emphasizing the importance of preserving these wonders of world heritage.

As a collaborative effort between the UNF and FCCJ faculty from multiple disciplines, including Spanish, Humanities, Anthropology, Biology and Political Science, Prof. Dante Astete-Canal is coming to present a lecture on the City of Cuzco, Perú, and its Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. He will talk in detail about how these sites are sustained, their present condition, as well as their economic, political, and social impact on the world resulting from globalization and increased tourism. Another concern is how these two sites are impacted by the local population of Cuzco, the rest of the country, and even countries worldwide. Lastly, he will discuss future projections, the nation’s conservation plans, and most importantly, how other nations can contribute to its goal of being self-sustaining. Professor Canal’s decision, as president of the Civic Committee of the Department of National Preservation of Natural and Heritage Sites for Peru, will impact the future accessibility of these sites, including whether portions of the sites, or the sites in general, will be closed permanently to the public.

In 1983, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared the City of Cuzco, Perú, and its Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, on its list of World Heritage locations, indicating that both have outstanding universal value. UNESCO encourages international peace and respect by promoting collaboration among nations. These two cultural heritage sites are in danger of destruction from traditional causes of decay and from continuing changes in social and economic conditions.

Dante Astete-Canal, an engineer, government official and university professor in Cusco, Peru, is an expert on Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Incan legacy. In addition, Professor Canal is a gifted speaker with many years of experience in both governmental and academic settings. His academic record includes being the former president of the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio de Abad (UNSAAC) in Cusco, and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the UNSAAC from 2000 to 2005. In addition, he has served as Department Chair for Agricultural Production and is a continuing faculty member as professor in the Department of Agronomy and Animal Husbandry since 1982. Presently, Canal is the Executive Director of the Pathways for Higher Education Project and is President of the Civic Committee of the Department of National Preservation of Natural and Heritage Sites for Peru.

For more infomation [Program: PDF, HTML] [FlyerPDF]

Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 7:30pm

UNF University Center Banquet Hall

Thursday, March 30, 2006, 4:00pm

FCCJ Deerwood Center B1204

ESBN 85822-060302-775353-56