countries already included on the World Heritage List and with the ICOMOS organisation . In that regard , we prepared for two years to receive the inspection from that organisation . The inspector held meetings with authorities from the national government , the government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires , the Public Entity for Memory and for the Promotion and Defence of Human Rights , various Memory Spaces and Sites across the country , the Ministry of Justice and the Secretariat for Human Rights , the National Commission of Monuments , the Argentine National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO , Federal Criminal Court No . 12 , civil society , the MERCOSUR Institute of Public Policies on Human Rights , the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience , and the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Sites of Memory , as well as with various staff members and authorities from the Site-Museum . Additionally , during the years of work on the candidacy , we set up visibility spaces in Argentinian embassies and consulates in 23 countries around the world . Along with other communication tools , this aimed to strengthen awareness among different communities and governments about what the Site-Museum symbolises and bears witness to . In the same field of internationalisation and global visibility , we produced and exhibited the temporary exhibition “ Argentinian Memory for the World : Heritage of the ‘ Never Again ’” at the Argentinian Consulate in New York , the United Nations headquarters , and the Los Pinos Cultural Complex in Mexico City . Furthermore , from the Site-Museum , we actively participated in the Open Working Group meetings convened by the World Heritage Committee to present Argentina ’ s position regarding the nominations of Sites of Memory associated with recent conflicts , which had been suspended until the States Parties reached an agreement on how to address them and lifted the moratorium . After this entire process , in September 2023 , through decision 45 COM . 8B . 53 , the World Heritage Committee finally recognised the Site-Museum for being “ highly representative and closely and tangibly associated with the illegal repression of armed and unarmed opponents and dissidents , executed and coordinated by the dictatorships of Latin America in the 1970s and 1980s , and based on the forced disappearance of persons , in a climate of global geopolitical tensions between opposing visions of the world ’ s sociopolitical order ”. At this stage , we are working to meet UNESCO ’ s recommendations and continue strengthening the institution in all its dimensions .
The process of restoring value to the Ex ESMA as a space of memory cannot be understood without the support and promotion efforts carried out by Kirchnerism . Given the current political climate , where Argentina is experiencing a noticeable political regression , what threats are looming over the site ’ s management ?
MG : Naturally , the importance different governments place on the Memory , Truth , and Justice agenda varies . I believe it is crucial to emphasise that at the ESMA Museum and Site of Memory , we work to ensure that this agenda , as well as the institution , are regarded as state policy . The Site-Museum was inaugurated in 2015 and has operated under three administrations . Throughout these periods , with different presidents ( Cristina Fernández de Kirchner , Mauricio Macri , and Alberto Fernández ), and various ministers of justice and secretaries of human rights , we continued to function and were able to develop the Work Plan for the UNESCO World Heritage List candidacy . Of course , the progress , setbacks , and complexities were varied , depending on how those administrations viewed this agenda . In this new , complex , and uncertain political scenario , we believe it is essential to keep building , expanding , and deepening consensus . When facing new dilemmas , we must recall the processes through which consensus was achieved and work towards building new ones . Additionally , we must continue professionalising the institution , expanding audiences , strengthening regional and international connections , and carrying out actions to protect and preserve the heritage with a management approach that is gender-sensitive , sustainable , and accessible .
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Observing Memories Issue 8