ICCROM, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, an agency founded by UNESCO, has just celebrated its 50th anniversary during ceremonies held at its home base city, Rome. The celebration was held in the Italian Parliament under the auspices of the Italian President and the President of Parliament and was addressed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Culture Francesco Rutelli among others.

Ray Bondin, Manager of Corporate Projects at Heritage Malta, and a Member of the ICCROM Council over the past six years, led a delegation from Malta.

ICCROM, like all the international organisations, is facing demands for more courses and at the same time has to limit its budget. It only manages to do its specialised courses due to extra budgetary funding coming from a number of countries, first and foremost from Italy.