International Workshop on Disaster Risk Management at World Heritage Properties

Risks from disasters have been identified as one of the most significant threats to World Heritage properties and their inhabitants. Following the approval by the World Heritage Committee of a Strategy on Risk Reduction at World Heritage Properties, the development of capacity-building in risk reduction among site managers has become a priority.

In order to respond to these challenges, the World Heritage Centre has developed a Draft Programme to strengthen risk management for World Heritage properties by integrating concern for disaster risks in the overall management of World Heritage properties.

As a starting phase for the launching of the above-mentioned programme, a workshop is being organised on 6^th  and 7^th November 2008 in Olympia, Greece, by bringing together site managers from a selected group of World Heritage properties, as well as disaster management experts.

The Workshop is being organised by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the Hellenic Ministry of Culture in collaboration with ICCROM and with a financial contribution by Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

It will be concluded on 8^th November with a Press Conference in Athens.