World Heritage Palenque

Project: This project will be the first WH workcamp to start in the only declared WH
site in the State of Chiapas. It will definitely be a great start for the participants
involved. The expected results?
1) A World Heritage sensitivity and a first step from non-formal education, to the
introduction of a formal education about heritage in public schools.
2) Preservation of this cultural site, which is an incomparable achievement of Mayan art, and a key site to
understand the Mayan philosophy.
3) To raise awareness among the local population regarding world heritage and the importance their
participation to preserving this site.
4) To raise awareness among the local population regarding world heritage and the importance their
participation to preserving this site. We are confident that this project will leave significant landmarks to
this unique experience of world heritage in a declared WH site to volunteers, together with future
generations of inhabitants and visitors alike.
We are confident that this project will leave significant landmarks to this unique experience of world
heritage in a declared WH site to volunteers, together with future generations of inhabitants and visitors
alike.
Natate Voluntariado Internacional A.C. Calle Real de Mexicanos, 10 ,Barrio de Mexicanos-, 9240
San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
Phone: +52 (01) 967 631 69 18 Cel: +52 1 967 102 59 47 e-mail: natate@natate.org
Please visit: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/411
Work: During the first days volunteers will be instructed on the INAH and UNESCO Toolkit and will be
assisting to conferences and creating their “own” workshops. Our main activities will be conducting
workshops for children and families within the archaeological site, besides of preservation and
maintenance tasks carried out under the direction of INAH and with the support the local community.
Volunteers will work in basic but effective maintenance activities supervised by professional staff of INAH.
Volunteers will also organize intercultural workshops and activities strictly related with WH sites
management and sustainable development which will involve the local population and tourists (national
and international), informative campaigns, cleaning of the area and creation and emplacement of
informative signs. Volunteers and local youth will also create a video and a photographic diary – a visual
memory - of the site, works and activities done during the workcamp. Volunteers will publish these in a
website, creating visibility also through social networks. Videos and pictures will be also broadcasted and
published by local media, to raise awareness among the population of the State of Chiapas regarding
World Heritage and the importance of preserving this significant site.
Accommodation: Volunteers will stay at a house owned by the community and will have all the basic
services. Be prepared for hand washing your own clothes. Try to be environmentally friendly as possible
and use resources with care and modesty, especially because your behaviour is part of the project ;)
Location: Archaeological site of Palenque, Chiapas.
Language: English is the most common language used in workcamps, however, being able to
communicate in Spanish can be very useful. Taking the opportunity to learn or improve your Spanish while
here, will greatly enrich your experience!
Comment: You are invited to join the Intensive Spanish Week Program for Volunteers, or also a Mayan
Language Week Program if you are a Spanish speaker and you would like to discover the richness of the
Mayan living culture. The courses take place a week before your workcamp.
Terminal: The closest international airport: Angel Albino Corzo, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas (TGZ). Bus
Terminal: OCC San Cristobal de las Casas.
Extra-fee: Since we do not receive funds to support your participation in the camp, you are asked to
contribute 2,950 Mexican pesos (170 euros aprox.). It includes accommodation, food, administrative
costs, transportation within the project, and some extra activities. The fee has to be paid by volunteers to
campleader or to Natate’s Workcamps Coordinator upon arrival to the meeting point.