29/10/2026

Asst. Prof. Erkan Kambek of the Faculty of Architecture and Design at Istinye University chaired the session "Common Threads: Similarities for a Peaceful Future" at the ICOMOS 2026 General Assembly Scientific Symposium.

Held in Kuching, Malaysia, and organized jointly by four ICOMOS International Scientific Committees — the International Wood Committee (IIWC), the International Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICICH), the International Scientific Committee on Earthen Architectural Heritage (ISCEAH), and the International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage (ISC20C) — the session explored architectural and cultural similarities that developed independently across different geographies, through the lens of peace.

The session opened with a welcome speech by Dr. Kambek, who explained that the idea for the session had emerged during the Q&A of a session on traditional construction techniques at the previous ICOMOS General Assembly in Lumbini, Nepal, in 2025. A discussion around the principal column of a traditional Malay house — and its counterparts in Georgia, Hungary, Japan, and China — had raised the question of why different cultures arrive at similar answers to fundamental human needs.

In his speech, Kambek also referred to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's principle "Peace at Home, Peace in the World" (Yurtta sulh, cihanda sulh), emphasizing that the recognition of similarity forms the foundation of mutual respect, and therefore of peace.

The session featured two keynotes — María de Guadalupe Zepeda Martínez (on the concept of binding in Japan, Colima and Maya cases) and Valéry Freland, Executive Director of ALIPH (on protecting cultural heritage to build peace) — alongside papers by researchers from Türkiye, Australia, China, Mexico, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Sweden, the UAE, and Singapore.

The session concluded with a discussion with all participants.

Event Details:

  • Event: ICOMOS GA2026 Scientific Symposium — Session 8
  • Title: Common Threads: Similarities for a Peaceful Future
  • Chair: Asst. Prof. Erkan Kambek (Istinye University)
  • Co-Chairs: Anna Yau, Stephen Schrapel, Marwa Dabaieh
  • Organizing Committees: IIWC, ICICH, ISCEAH, ISC20C
  • Location: Kuching, Malaysia
  • Date: 21.10.2026