The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has presented UNESCO consultant Dr Francesco Bandarin with an Honorary Fellowship.

The former UNESCO assistant director general for culture was presented with the award at a joint lecture organised by National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) and the Royal Society of Arts.

Titled ‘Heritage as Citizenship: the Challenges of the New Urban Agenda’, the event was the first in an RSA Fellows’ Media Creative Industries, Culture & Heritage Network Series to mark the 2018 European Year of Cultural Heritage.

Presenting the award, RIAS president Stewart Henderson said: “After an inspirational talk at the National Gallery Dr Francesco Bandarin was presented with an Honorary Fellowship of the RIAS. He was delighted with the award and undertook to spread awareness of the RIAS on his world travels.”

Sir John Leighton, NGS director, on behalf of NGS and MCICH Network chairman Ann Packard, added: “NGS is delighted that this award was made at the RSA/NGS event, supported by the Italian Institute of Culture, to a European of such distinction during 2018 EYCH.”