A main challenge in the protection of underwater cultural heritage is the provision of appropriate knowledge and capacities to study, protect and manage it. Underwater archaeology and heritage conservation disciplines need to be developed in the different regions of the world. Equally, in order to successfully implement the 2001 Convention, it is necessary to build capacities within the different national administrations and law enforcement forces entrusted with it. 

UNESCO counts with a large network of experts and institutions that, together with the Secretariat, assist Member States in the development of capacities at regional, national and local level.

This page presents the different spheres of education offered by UNESCO and its partners to Member States:

• UNESCO University Twinning Network (UNITWIN) on Underwater Archaeology. This UNESCO Network encompasses the most relevant universities worldwide with academic research and education programmes in underwater archaeology or topics related to the protection of the underwater cultural heritage. UNITWIN Network Website
  
• UNESCO Capacity-building Programme. UNESCO offers a range of introductory courses, from one to six weeks, to Member States. These courses provide the first tools to identify, study, evaluate, protect and manage the underwater cultural heritage and give guidance on what are the best way to proceed in the implementation of the 2001 Convention.
• ICUA - International Centre of Underwater Archaeology (UNESCO Category 2 Centre) Zadar, Croatia. This Regional Centre provides training courses on the conservation techniques of underwater archaeological material. ICUA website
• Education for the Youth. UNESCO has also developed different tools for kids and teachers so youth can be aware of the importance of underwater cultural heritage as well as of the need to protect it. Among these tools you can visit our Kids Page or download our manuals for teachers.