
This August, the Riverfront Research Alliance, in collaboration with the esteemed faculty of architecture at Kasetsart University, is proud to host the highly anticipated World Heritage Volunteers 2025: River × Heritage in the culturally and historically significant city of Ayutthaya, Thailand. From 20 to 30 August, young participants from across Asia and beyond will gather to engage in immersive activities that encourage them to explore the deep and intricate connections between rivers, heritage, and communities in one of Southeast Asia’s most historically rich floodplains. Participants will have the opportunity to delve into hands-on projects, attend workshops led by experts in the field, and contribute to the preservation of the unique cultural landscape that Ayutthaya offers, all while fostering friendships and cross-cultural understanding among peers from diverse backgrounds. This initiative aims not only to raise awareness about the importance of heritage conservation but also to empower the next generation of leaders who are passionate about safeguarding our shared human legacy.

The program brings together students, researchers, and stakeholders in a hands-on learning environment, featuring paddleboarding surveys, cultural mapping of riverside temples, workshops on sustainable tourism, and dialogues with heritage practitioners. This year’s theme focuses on water as a carrier of memory and identity, encouraging participants to view heritage in everyday practices shaped by the river. Now in its second year in Ayutthaya, the WHV program supports UNESCO’s World Heritage Education initiatives, co-organized with international academic partners, including students from Japan, China, India, and Thailand.
Follow us for updates and reflections from the field here: Ayutthaya 2025
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