Sustainable Preservation Initiative
Encyclopedia
The Sustainable Preservation Initiative (SPI) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the world's cultural heritage
by providing transformative and sustainable economic opportunities to local communities. SPI is focused on countries in the developing world, more particularly those that are not part by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
as well as Mexico
, Greece
and Turkey
, . SPI seeks to encourage and develop sustainable economic development in the communities surrounding archaeological sites by aiding in the development of locally-owned businesses that maximize the spending of dollars in these communities and regions. Some manufacturing
industries are aided as well, including local artisan
s. SPI's projects provide a TWO for the price of ONE benefit: they create viable economic opportunities for the local residents while saving archaeological sites for future generations to study and enjoy.
According to Felix Salmon of Reuters SPI is about taking archaeological sites and "sites in poor countries and making them generate cash for the locals — thereby giving them a real monetary incentive (rather than a high-minded lecture) aimed at preserving archeological treasures". SPI is presently active in Peru
, Jordan and Armenia
. The SPI mantra is "Saving Sites by Transforming Lives". The program's executive director is archaeologist Larry Coben. SPI was incubated at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles
and the Archaeological Institute of America
.
In a recent report, the Milken Institute
called for the adoption of SPI's model by the state of Israel in order to better protect that country's cultural heritage
Cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations...
by providing transformative and sustainable economic opportunities to local communities. SPI is focused on countries in the developing world, more particularly those that are not part by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an international economic organisation of 34 countries founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade...
as well as Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, . SPI seeks to encourage and develop sustainable economic development in the communities surrounding archaeological sites by aiding in the development of locally-owned businesses that maximize the spending of dollars in these communities and regions. Some manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing is the use of machines, tools and labor to produce goods for use or sale. The term may refer to a range of human activity, from handicraft to high tech, but is most commonly applied to industrial production, in which raw materials are transformed into finished goods on a large scale...
industries are aided as well, including local artisan
Artisan
An artisan is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewellery, household items, and tools...
s. SPI's projects provide a TWO for the price of ONE benefit: they create viable economic opportunities for the local residents while saving archaeological sites for future generations to study and enjoy.
According to Felix Salmon of Reuters SPI is about taking archaeological sites and "sites in poor countries and making them generate cash for the locals — thereby giving them a real monetary incentive (rather than a high-minded lecture) aimed at preserving archeological treasures". SPI is presently active in Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, Jordan and Armenia
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
. The SPI mantra is "Saving Sites by Transforming Lives". The program's executive director is archaeologist Larry Coben. SPI was incubated at the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
and the Archaeological Institute of America
Archaeological Institute of America
The Archaeological Institute of America is a North American nonprofit organization devoted to the promotion of public interest in archaeology, and the preservation of archaeological sites. It has offices on the campus of Boston University and in New York City.The institute was founded in 1879,...
.
In a recent report, the Milken Institute
Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is an independent economic think tank based in Santa Monica, California that publishes research and hosts conferences that apply market-based principles and financial innovations to a variety of societal issues in the US and internationally.The mission of the Institute, founded...
called for the adoption of SPI's model by the state of Israel in order to better protect that country's cultural heritage