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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.

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The World Heritage in Young Hands Kit has been tested and adapted to national needs and presently exists in 40 national languages.

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To date, 14 animated short film episodes of “Patrimonito’s World Heritage Adventures” have been produced.

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About 40 international and regional Youth Forums have been held with an estimated 1560 young people participating.

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Nearly 1250 teachers and educators have been trained through about 40 seminars and workshops at national, sub-regional, regional and international level.

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Since the launch of the World Heritage Volunteers projects, more than 3500 volunteers have taken part in 359 youth camps in 61 countries.

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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 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.
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 foster synergies amongst stakeholders
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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