Prof. Norris appointed to UNESCO commission

Debra Hess Norris, Henry Francis du Pont Chair in Fine Arts and chairperson of the Department of Art Conservation

3:33 p.m., March 14, 2005--Debra Hess Norris, Henry Francis du Pont Chair in Fine Arts and chairperson of the Department of Art Conservation, practices, promotes and preaches cultural preservation at all levels, from advising individuals to working with institutions. Now, she will be involved in cultural preservation on a global level through a recent appointment to the United States National Commission for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization).

Norris was appointed to the UNESCO commission as the representative of Heritage Preservation, a national organization of institutions and individuals whose goal is the preservation of cultural objects. Norris chairs its board of directors, and Heritage Preservation is one of the 50 nongovernmental organizations, appointed by the U.S secretary of state, to be represented on the commission to UNESCO.

The commission will function as a federal advisory committee, to provide expert advice to the government on matters relating to UNESCO and as a liaison with organizations, institutions and individuals interested in the work of UNESCO. The United States withdrew from UNESCO in 1984 and rejoined in 2003.

Heritage Preservation outlined its goals as a UNESCO commission member, in a statement that said, in part, "...We look forward to participating on the culture committee and working with our international colleagues to advance the preservation and protection of world heritage, as well as assisting with efforts in emergency preparedness, response and recovery; conservation assessment planning; public policy; and preservation advocacy....We intend to work in every way possible to advise and assist UNESCO in their commitment to safeguard cultural heritage for the enrichment of civilization and future generations."

Norris attended a UNESCO briefing in Washington and said her role will be as an adviser on preservation. “I am excited to have this opportunity to assist other countries in the preservation of their culture. There is work to be done, and I am pleased to be a part of it,” she said.

At the present time, UNESCO also is focusing on higher education, which is another strong interest of hers, Norris said. UNESCO is the lead agency for the United Nations’ Literacy Decade: Education for All initiative, with an emphasis on the role of higher education in promoting literacy goals. Laura Bush is goodwill ambassador of the Literacy Decade.

Closer to home, Norris also has been appointed to the council of the Delaware Humanities Forum, whose goal is to promote the humanities in the state through a variety of resources, including lectures, visiting scholars programs, grants programs and presentations.

“The Delaware Humanities Forum has terrific programs, and I hope that we can develop some partnerships between the University and the state.” Norris said.

An internationally recognized expert in the field of photographic conservation, Norris is widely published and a frequent lecturer worldwide and has received almost $4 million in grants. She served as president of the American Institute for Conservation. Among her honors, she received the Sheldon and Caroline Keck Award for “excellence in the education and training of conservation professionals.”

Norris received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UD and was inducted into UD’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

Article by Sue Moncure
Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson

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