Goodwill Ambassadors Serve as Patrons for the International Congress Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention
14-11-2002 12:00 pm H.R.H. Princess Firyal of Jordan, Ms Marianna Vardinoyannis and Wole Soyinka, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, were nominated as Patrons for the World Heritage International Congress 2002: “Shared Legacy and Common Resposibility” marking the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the World Heritage Convention. The congress took place on 14 November 2002 at the Giorgio Cini Foundation on the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy. H.R.H. Princess Firyal of Jordan, Ms Marianna Vardinoyannis and Wole Soyinka, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, were nominated as Patrons for the World Heritage International Congress 2002: “Shared Legacy and Common Resposibility” marking the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the World Heritage Convention. The congress took place on 14 November 2002 at the Giorgio Cini Foundation on the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy.
All three Goodwill Ambassadors shared their views on the importance of preserving World Heritage. Mr Wole Soyinka, who was a key speaker at this event stated that " A lot more has to be done in the non-monumental aspect of World Heritage. It's very easy to recognise the massive concretisation of culture … I am far more concerned with the intangible expressions of culture. They are often more valuable, and should concern us more as humanists.”
H.R.H. Princess Firyal, who is currently helping to preserve the Coiba Island in Panama (one the world's largest national marine parks) concluded her address by reflecting that "some of the proudest moments in my life were when I was travelling in remote parts of the world and saw the UNESCO sign. "
Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis also shared her views on the subject by eloquently stating, " Today, the protection of cultural heritage is closely linked to the promotion of dialogue between cultures; as it is culture that brings people closer together, contributes to mutual understanding and is a safeguard of peace. Preserving cultural heritage is not only our obligation to the past but also our duty to the future. "
