ICOMOS Welcomes New Focal Points for the Emerging Professionals Working Group
ICOMOS is pleased to announce the appointment of Luka Nedzbala and Christopher Ssebuyungo as the new Focal Points for the Emerging Professionals Working Group (EPWG). They will serve in this key leadership role through the next ICOMOS General Assembly in 2026.
As EPWG Focal Points, Luka and Christopher will act as the primary liaisons between the various EPWG teams and the wider ICOMOS network—including National Committees (NCs), International Scientific Committees (ISCs), and Working Groups. Their leadership will be central to strengthening global collaboration among emerging heritage professionals.
Christopher Ssebuyungo is a Conservator of Sites and Monuments at the Department of Museums and Monuments, within Uganda’s Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. A passionate cultural heritage specialist, he brings expertise in conservation, preservation, site management, academic research, and heritage education. His academic background includes Archaeology, Museums, and Heritage Studies. Christopher is a fellow of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre’s Mentorship Programme for African World Heritage Professionals and has served as the EPWG Africa Regional Coordinator since January 2025, following a five-month transition period. He is also a member of CIPA – the International Scientific Committee on Heritage Documentation.
Luka Nezbala is an American-Slovene architect with a strong focus on the protection of built cultural heritage. His international career has taken him across Europe, Asia, and North America. Luka co-founded Bruns Nedzbala Heritage Solutions, where he advises on heritage-sensitive development projects in Greece and Slovenia. His work explores the intersections of cultural heritage with tourism and urban development, and he has a growing interest in safeguarding built heritage in post-conflict and post-disaster contexts. Luka joined ICOMOS in 2024 and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Emerging Professionals Committee at ICOMOS USA.
As a Focal Point, Luka is committed to supporting early-career professionals worldwide by improving access to networks, resources, and mentorship opportunities—helping them lay the foundation for impactful, long-term careers in heritage.
Over the coming weeks, Luka and Christopher will begin transitioning into their roles within the EPWG Secretariat, continuing ICOMOS’s mission to foster the next generation of cultural heritage professionals.