An international venture to establish the first Center of Human Heritage Science in China was launched at Beijing Normal University this month.

The first phase of the project will be to organize an international workshop from November 21 to March 20, 2004.

Sociologists and folklorists from China and France will hold a series of lectures, incorporating the protection of human heritage into China's college education and public administration policies.

Dr Genevieve Domenach-Chich, senior program specialist for social and human sciences with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Office Beijing, said that China boasts many historic cities and heritage sites. But since it began to modernize and economic development took off from the 1980s, some cities have turned a blind eye to their important heritage.

UNESCO Office Beijing supports China's efforts to protect its cities, promoting urbanization that harmonizes history and modernization, she added.

Now the office is working on projects in Xicheng District, Beijing, trying to preserve the old town.

Li Qiang, professor in sociology with Tsinghua University, pointed out that a different criteria should be adopted for dilapidated houses in the protected old areas of the district and residents' wishes should be respected to reduce social conflicts.

The project is co-sponsored by UNESCO Office Beijing, Universite de Rennes in France, the Beijing Normal University's Center for Research on Chinese Folklore and Ancient Writing as well as the Institute for Folklore and Social Development.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2003)