The concept of ‘outstanding universal value' is at the heart of the World Heritage Convention. The need to enhance understanding of this concept and explore ways in which it is applicable to the reality and experience in the Caribbean, thereby facilitating preparation and harmonization of more focused Tentative Lists and improving representation of the region on the World Heritage List, has been expressed in several previous sub-regional meetings (St Lucia and Jamaica in 2004).
During the 3-day conference participants will take part in a high-level academic discussion forum and will have the opportunity to put concepts to the test through exposure to practical exercises. For this purpose, workshop sessions will be alternated with theoretical sessions on specialized topics relevant to the natural and cultural heritage of the region (such as geologic landscapes and Slave Route-project "sites of Memory") led by UNESCO staff, eminent experts and representatives of the advisory bodies (ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN).
This conference will draw on three previous experts meetings held in other regions, applying what was discussed then to the many thematic meetings of the Caribbean sub-region.
The conference is being organized by the World Heritage Centre in close collaboration with the UNESCO regional offices of Kingston, La Havana and national authorities of the governments of Barbados and with generous financial support from the governments of Barbados and the Netherlands.