In conjunction with the 35th  session of the World Heritage Committee session at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France, and in the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the 3rd IberoAmerican World Heritage Youth Forum will be held from June 14-24 in Santillana del Mar and Zaragoza, Spain. The event is organized by the Ministry of Culture of Spain and is part of the national Youth Program Patrimonio Joven  in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre. .

Thirty-nine students, from 12 to 15 years old, will be participating. They come from schools representing selected World Heritage sites in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay.

Activities planned during the 10 day-program include tours, site visits, meetings, workshops and debates. They will enjoy discovering World Heritage sites and learning how best to respect each other's cultures.

The main theme of the Youth Forum is "Rock Art". The young participants will visit the World Heritage sites Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain, as well as the Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula. During the Youth Forum, participants will learn about cultural, natural, intangible and industrial site elements.

There will be two live interactive internet connections between the Youth Forum and the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris. The young participants will learn about the work being carried out by the main institutions responsible for the protection of heritage, and the members of the World Heritage Committee will have the opportunity to hear about the concerns and efforts of the young people related to World Heritage preservation and promotion.

The outcome of the forum will be presented on 27 June 2011 at UNESCO Headquarters, 13h Room X.

Website: www.patrimoniojoven.com/3erforojuvenil

For more information:

Irazú López Campos

Ministerio de Cultura de España

Subdirección General de Protección del Patrimonio Histórico

Coordinadora del Programa Patrimonio Joven

0034 915 504 504 / 506