2025: Panama City, Panama

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE – Update May 2025

Program details

APOYOnline is pleased to share further details about the upcoming program of the 5th APOYOnline Regional Conference & Workshops, taking place from June 30 to July 4, 2025, under the theme “Sustainable Connections for Cultural Heritage.” The conference is organized in collaboration with the Museo del Canal.

All conference sessions and workshops will be conducted in APOYOnline’s three official languages—English, Spanish, and Portuguese—with simultaneous translation available whenever possible. Registration is now open.

We are honored to welcome Jane Henderson, Professor of Conservation and the Secretary General of International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (IIC) as the Keynote speaker for the conference.

Over 20 international experts, students and emerging professionals from 9 countries confirmed participation as panelists and special guests to engage in discussions and exchange on the following topics:

        ✔ Climate Change and Collections at Risk

        ✔ Community Engagement and Connections 

        ✔ Innovation and Trends

        ✔ Education & Training

Nearly 170 authors from 24 countries will present over 70 papers and 50 posters during the event. They represent a broad range of universities, libraries, museums, archives, cultural and scientific institutions, historical societies, and private practice. Notably, over 60% are students and emerging professionals attending an APOYOnline conference and training for the first time. Thanks to the generosity of numerous sponsors, APOYOnline is proud to have provided stipends to each author to support their attendance at the event, both in person and online.

Workshops will be held in both in-person and virtual formats on June 30th.

The virtual workshops will be ministered by six professionals, emerging professionals and students from rom Argentina, Brazil, Poland, Portugal, Spain and United States covering topics such as: Digital Accessibility; Writing Scientific Papers for Publications; Senior Thesis for Undergraduate students; Patrimonio y Comunidad; Pesticide Use in Archaeological Collections; Metals Conservation.

The in-person workshops will be ministered by a 8 instructors from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, United Kingdom, and United States, addressing the following topics:

• Risk Management – Balancing benefits and risks to sustain our futures: Robert Waller (Protect Heritage Corp.) and Jane Henderson (International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works – IIC) 

• Photographic Conservation – Principles in the Identification and Preservation of Photographs: Debbie Hess Norris (University of Delaware), Nora Kennedy (The Metropolitan Museum of Art), Sandra Baruki (Fundação Oswaldo Cruz / APOYOnline) and Diana Diaz (University of Texas)

• Emergency Preparedness and Response with Wet Salvage Drill: Alan Haley (Library of Congress) and Beatriz Haspo (APOYOnline / Library of Congress)

Additional Program Highlights:

• • Technical Visits: Delegates will have the opportunity to visit key institutions preserving Panama’s historical and cultural heritage, including the National Archives of Panama (Archivos Nacionales de Panamá) and Panama Viejo (Patronato Panamá Viejo).

• • Community-Based Initiative – MANOS A LA OBRA:Held on July 4 in Panama City, this hands-on activity invites participants to contribute to a local cultural institution through basic collections care work, promoting community engagement and the preservation of local heritage.

• • Award ceremony: A special event will recognize and celebrate individuals, projects, and organizations that have significantly contributed to APOYOnline’s vision, mission, and values over its 35-year history, including volunteers, collaborators, sponsors, and funders.
  • 35th Anniversary Celebration: Culminating our 35th anniversary celebrations, the program will include the APOYOnline anniversary party, celebrating our commitment to community building and heritage preservation and across the Americas and beyond.

The program summary can be found above. 

APOYOnline is very grateful for the support of the current Sponsors and Collaborators