Historic gardens continue to grow, change and acquire meaning through the people who maintain and use them. Sustaining this relationship was central to the 2026 Young Masters for Heritage Conservation Symposium, held in Suzhou, China, from 11 to 13 October. Under the theme “Classical Gardens: Living Conservation and Public Participation”, young professionals explored how conservation can sustain historic places alongside the knowledge, ecological processes and community life that shape them.
The symposium forms part of a three-year action plan initiated by UNESCO’s Regional Office for East Asia, the Suzhou Municipal Bureau of Gardens and Landscaping, and the Suzhou Centre of the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for Asia and the Pacific (WHITRAP) to recognise young professionals’ contributions and support international exchange. This year, 19 cases from 10 countries were selected from 68 submissions across 27 countries. Case discussions, an exhibition and site visits connected international experience with local practice.
At the opening, Shan Jie, Vice Mayor of Suzhou, highlighted the city’s commitment to conserving its classical gardens, transmitting traditional craftsmanship and supporting international cooperation. He encouraged young professionals to exchange skills and explore new approaches to heritage conservation. Professor Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of UNESCO’s Regional Office for East Asia, emphasised young people’s role in shaping a sustainable future for heritage and encouraged continued collaboration to address challenges such as climate change and urbanisation.
