World Heritage Education Programme
The UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, initiated as a UNESCO special project in 1994, gives young people a chance to voice their concerns and to become involved in the protection of our common cultural and natural heritage. It seeks to encourage and enable tomorrow’s decision-makers to participate in heritage conservation and to respond to the continuing threats facing our World Heritage.
The idea of involving young people in World Heritage preservation and promotion came as a response to Article 27 of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention).
World Heritage Education Programme activities
Young people learn about World Heritage sites, about the history and traditions of their own and other cultures, about ecology and the importance of protecting biodiversity. They become aware of the threats facing the sites and learn how the international community as a whole unites to save our common heritage. Most importantly, they discover how they can contribute to heritage conservation and make themselves heard.
43
The World Heritage in Young Hands Kit has been tested and adapted to national needs and presently exists in 43 national languages.
13
To date, 13 animated short film episodes of “Patrimonito’s World Heritage Adventures” have been produced.
40
About 40 international and regional Youth Forums have been held with an estimated 1560 young people participating.
3500
Since the launch of the World Heritage Volunteers projects, more than 3500 volunteers have taken part in 359 youth camps in 61 countries.
Additional Materials
What are the Objectives?
To encourage young people
to become involved in heritage conservation on a local as well as on a global level.
to become involved in heritage conservation on a local as well as on a global level.
To promote awareness among young people
of the importance of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (1972) and a better understanding of the interdependence of cultures amongst young people.
of the importance of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (1972) and a better understanding of the interdependence of cultures amongst young people.
To develop new and effective educational approaches, methods and materials
to introduce/reinforce World Heritage education in the curricula in the vast majority of the UNESCO Member States.
to introduce/reinforce World Heritage education in the curricula in the vast majority of the UNESCO Member States.
To foster synergies amongst stakeholders
in the promotion of World Heritage Education on a national and international level.
in the promotion of World Heritage Education on a national and international level.
How does the Programme work?
The Programme is led by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC) in coordination with the UNESCO Associated Schools (ASPnet) and in close co-operation with UNESCO Field Offices, National Commissions for UNESCO and other partner stakeholders.
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News (18)
- Patrimonito’s World Heritage Adventures: a new episode available Tuesday, 3 July 2018
- World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2018 Outcomes Tuesday, 26 June 2018
- Scout Guidelines for youth empowerment towards World Heritage Wednesday, 18 April 2018
- Around 100 youth from across Kenya participated in the First UNESCO National Youth Workshop on Culture and Heritage in Kenya Tuesday, 10 April 2018
- Call for Applications: 3rd African World Heritage Regional Youth Forum 2018 Monday, 26 March 2018
Events (11)
- Capacity Building Workshop for Team Leaders of the World Heritage Volunteers (WHV) Initiative 12-Mar-2019-15-Mar-2019
- World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2018 17-Jun-2018-26-Jun-2018
- Playful Architect 2017 exhibition 23-Aug-2017-30-Aug-2017
- Deadline extended - Call for participants: First Francophone African Regional Youth Forum on World Heritage 10-Feb-2017
- World Heritage Youth Forum (2016) Africa 28-Apr-2016-04-May-2016