Announcing SEACHA’s New Chairperson Dr Ivan Henares

Dr. Catrini has been integral to the growth of SEACHA, having been one of its founding members representing the Indonesian Heritage Trust since SEACHA’s founding in 2019. She stepped into the role of Chairperson in 2022 and since has overseen many of our activities, ranging from the development of SEACHA’s cultural heritage management clinics into the SEACHA Heritage Cities Network, to organizing and speaking in our 2023 Conference “Cultural Wisdom for Climate Action: The Southeast Asian Contribution” and playing an integral role in our participation in the UN Climate Change Conference 2023 (COP28).

Dr Catrini’s work as Chairperson will forever be remembered by the SEACHA community. It has been our honor to have her as Chairperson, and we thank her for her contributions. We are happy to share that she will continue her work in SEACHA as she returns to her previous role as SEACHA Director of Indonesia, and will focus on leading the program of Heritage Cities Network in Southeast Asia.

While the end of Dr Catrini’s term as SEACHA Chairperson is bittersweet, we are excited to announce that our next Chairperson is Dr Ivan Henares. Dr Ivan is the Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines, a founding member of SEACHA, and the SEACHA Director of the Philippines. As a SEACHA Director, Dr Ivan has been invaluable to our activities, most notably in our first study trip to the Philippines at the beginning of this month, March 2024. Without the work of Dr Ivan and the Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines, our first study trip could not have been the success that it was.

Dr Ivan has demonstrated a deep commitment to SEACHA’s work as a Director and we look forward to his term as Chairperson. On behalf of SEACHA, we would like to humbly welcome Dr Ivan to the role of Chairperson. Thank you Dr Catrini and Dr Ivan!