Community Leadership, UNESCO, and Honduran Organizations Join Forces to Preserve the Maya Site of Copán in Honduras

The initiative aims to enhance the cultural, social, economic, and environmental value of the site and its integration with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In an effort to empower the local community in the management and protection of the Maya Site of Copán, UNESCO has conducted an update workshop for the management plan. This workshop is an integral part of the project "Post-COVID-19 Management of World Heritage Sites," implemented by UNESCO in collaboration with the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History and with the generous support of Japan.

The main objective of this event was to promote open and constructive dialogue, where the voices of multiple community organizations were heard to enrich the management plan of this invaluable archaeological and cultural site. During the workshop, the priorities and needs of the local community were gathered to ensure the sustainability and protection of Copán's historical legacy.

Over four days, the participants explored key topics related to the management and preservation of the site. Crucial aspects such as universal accessibility, effective communication and outreach strategies, the implementation of digital technologies for broader outreach, and the promotion of sustainable tourism as a tool for local development were addressed.

The workshop was led by Mathieu Dormaels, a renowned World Heritage expert from ICOMOS, and saw active participation from various civil society organizations. Among the participants were local indigenous commissions, the municipal network of women, the association of tour guides, chambers of commerce and tourism, as well as local residents interested in protecting and promoting Copán's valuable heritage. Additionally, the municipal authorities of Copán Ruinas played a crucial role in providing facilities at the community center for the workshop's development.

The closing ceremony of the event was attended by Jun Nakahara, the ambassador of Japan in Honduras, Alexander Leicht, UNESCO representative for Honduras, Mauricio Arias, mayor of Copán Ruinas, Ivana Oviedo, representative of the Secretariat of Culture, Arts, and Patrimonies of the Peoples of Honduras, and Lídisis Figueroa, deputy manager of Heritage at the Honduran Institute of Anthropology and History.

Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1980, the Maya Site of Copán is an invaluable gem of artistic, political, and military development of the Mayan civilization during the classical period. Beyond its historical significance, this site represents an unmatched source of scientific knowledge and holds deep cultural and ceremonial meaning for local indigenous communities.

About the project "Post-COVID-19 Management of World Heritage Sites"

This ambitious UNESCO project, carried out with the support of the Japanese government, adopts a participatory approach to strengthen the formulation of a plan that incorporates lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through an inclusive process, it aims to support the development of a site management plan that considers disaster risk reduction and contributes to promoting a model of sustainable tourism.

Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative seeks to enhance the cultural, social, economic, and environmental value of cultural heritage, fostering sustainable development and local community pride in their historical legacy.