World Heritage Youth Forum 2016

As part of the 40th session of the World Heritage Committee and in the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO and the Istanbul Site Management Directorate are organizing the World Heritage Youth Forum 2016: “At the Crossroads of Multi-Layered Heritage” from 29 June to 12 July 2016. 

Young representatives, aged from 22 to 28, from 35 countries, will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, contribute to the discussions and immerse themselves in topics within the scope of multi-layered heritage.

The Forum seeks to deepen youth knowledge and understanding the importance of:

• the implementation of the World Heritage Convention,
• the working methods of the World Heritage Committee,
• the challenges and opportunities of the protection of multi-layered World Heritage sites.

Scheduled activities include: visits to World Heritage sites, including Bursa and Cumalıkızık, with the international heritage experts; workshops on different aspects emerging from the multi-layered sites; practical hands-on activities with timber and stone work for the protection and maintenance of the World Heritage site in Istanbul; experts and young representatives’ presentations; participation in discussions on the state of conservation of properties and practicing the Youth Model simulation.

The young representatives will prepare the final document of the Forum to be presented during the Opening Ceremony of the 40th World Heritage Committee Session. They will also participate in the first plenary day of the World Heritage Committee to observe how the Committee works.

In order to provide an occasion for the young representatives to exchange ideas with the delegates we ensure the participation of the young representatives on the first plenary day, 11 July 2016.

Please note that only one representative from each country will be accepted. Eligible candidates will be selected by the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO and the Istanbul Site Management Directorate according to the criteria pointed out in the attached Call for Participation. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality will cover all costs related to international travel, accommodation, transportation.