Authenticity only applies to cultural properties and to the cultural aspects of ‘mixed’ properties. Authenticity can be seen as the link between attributes and Outstanding Universal Value.
According to paragraph 82 of the Operational Guidelines, a World Heritage property ”[] may be understood to meet the conditions of authenticity if their cultural values (as recognized in the nomination criteria proposed) are truthfully and credibly expressed through a variety of attributes”.
A set of general attributes which may be conveying or expressing the property’s Outstanding Universal Value is suggested, and includes:
- form and design;
- materials and substance;
- use and function;
- traditions, techniques and management systems;
- location and setting;
- language and other forms of intangible heritage;
- spirit and feeling; and
- other internal/external factors.
The concept of Authenticity is described in the Operational Guidelines paragraphs 79-86.
A comprehensive definition of authenticity in relation to cultural heritage is contained in the Nara Document on Authenticity which was drafted in 1994 in Nara, Japan.
Source(s): Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
According to Paragraph 217 of the Operational Guidelines, States Parties “[…] are encouraged to raise awareness of the need to preserve World Heritage. In particular, they should ensure that World Heritage status is adequately marked and promoted on-site".
Paragraph 218 of the Operational Guidelines states:
“The Secretariat provides assistance to States Parties in developing activities aimed at raising public awareness of the Convention and informing the public of the dangers threatening World Heritage. The Secretariat advises States Parties regarding the preparation and implementation of on-site promotional and educational projects to be funded through International Assistance. The Advisory Bodies and appropriate State agencies may also be solicited to provide advice on such projects".
Source(s): Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
A key benefit of ratification, particularly for developing countries, is access to the World Heritage Fund and International Assistance. This is made available to assist States Parties in identifying, preserving and promoting World Heritage sites. Emergency assistance may also be made available for urgent action to repair damage caused by human-made or natural disasters. In the case of sites included on the List of World Heritage in Danger, the attention and the funds of both the national and the international community are focused on the conservation needs of these particularly threatened sites.
Today, the World Heritage concept is so well understood that sites on the List are a magnet for international cooperation and may thus receive financial assistance for heritage conservation projects from a variety of sources.
Sites inscribed on the World Heritage List also benefit from the elaboration and implementation of a comprehensive management plan that sets out adequate preservation measures and monitoring mechanisms. In support of these, experts offer technical training to the local site management team.
Finally, the inscription of a site on the World Heritage List brings an increase in public awareness of the site and of its outstanding values, thus also increasing the tourist activities at the site. When these are well planned for and organized respecting sustainable tourism principles, they can bring important funds to the site and to the local economy.
Source(s): https://whc.unesco.orgOnce a country signs the World Heritage Convention, and has sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, the resulting prestige often helps raise awareness among citizens and governments for heritage preservation. Greater awareness leads to a general rise in the level of the protection and conservation given to heritage properties. A country may also receive financial assistance and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support activities for the preservation of its sites.
Source(s): https://whc.unesco.org
A generic term for treaties, conventions, protocols, and other binding instruments. This term is usually applied to instruments of a geographic scope between two states.
Source(s): United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
The United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements defines Biodiversity as:
1) Genetic diversity: the variation between individuals and between populations within a species; species diversity: the different types of plants, animals and other life forms within a region; community or ecosystem diversity: the variety of habitats found within an area (grassland, marsh, and woodland for instance).
2) An umbrella term to describe collectively the variety and variability of nature. It encompasses three basic levels of organisation in living systems: the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Plant and animal species are the most commonly recognized units of biological diversity, thus public concern has been mainly devoted to conserving species diversity.
Source(s): United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
In order to enhance coherence and cooperation in implementation, a liaison group was established between the heads of the secretariats of the six biodiversity-related conventions. The Biodiversity Liaison Group or BLG, was formed in June 2004 and meets regularly to explore opportunities for synergistic activities and increased coordination, and to exchange information.
The Biodiversity Liaison Group (BLG) consists of the Heads of the Secretariat of the following conventions:
- Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage;
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES);
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS);
- Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention);
- International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA);
- International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
Read the Modus Operandi of the Biodiversity Liaison Group.
Protected areas that are strictly set aside to protect biodiversity and also possibly geological/geomorphological features, where human visitation, use and impacts are strictly controlled and limited to ensure protection of the conservation values. Such protected areas can serve as indispensable reference areas for scientific research and monitoring.
Source(s): United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Biosphere reserves are ‘Science for Sustainability support sites’ – special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.
Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Their status is internationally recognized.
Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim to fulfil three complementary and mutually reinforcing functions:
- The core area(s) comprises a strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;
- The buffer zone surrounds or adjoins the core areas, and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education;
- The transition area is the part of the reserve where the greatest activity is allowed, fostering economic and human development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable.
Source(s): http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/
Source(s):Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011), draws up some principles concerning boundaries for World Heritage properties:
”the property boundaries must encompass the attributes necessary to meet the condition of integrity, that is a complete and intact set of attributes that convey potential Outstanding Universal Value;• boundaries must be logical and defensible in relation to the identification of attributes that convey the value of the property;
• boundaries must be clearly defined in relation to the legal protection and management of the property;
• boundaries should be readily identifiable if they are to be useful for management. They will often be based on physical features and sometimes on natural features. Effective boundaries may also be based on human-made features such as roads, which may often be critical features in relation to management. However, more care is needed with using such features to ensure that the area enclosed meets the condition of integrity;
• good-quality mapping of boundaries is essential; and
• it is also essential that the establishment of boundaries (including zoning schemes) within a nominated property is carried out in conjunction with defining the management priorities and requirements for the property, and with effective stakeholder engagement. This is to create a strong link between this process and protection, conservation and management.""
“Inadequacies in the boundaries make it difficult to maintain the property's Outstanding Universal Value” implies that theurce attributes conveying the Outstanding Universal Value are indeed within the boundaries, but they are considered inadequate for other reasons (too limited, lack of buffer zone, etc.)
Source(s): The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011)
Buffer zones are clearly delineated area(s) outside a World Heritage property and adjacent to its boundaries which contribute to the protection, conservation, management, integrity, authenticity and sustainability of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property. Although buffer zones are not regarded as part of the inscribed property, their boundaries and relevant management approaches should be evaluated, approved and formally recorded at the time they are proposed by a State Party. Where buffer zones are defined, they should be seen as an integral component of the State Party’s commitment to the protection, conservation and management of the World Heritage property. The functions of the buffer zone should reflect the different types and levels of protection, conservation and management needed to protect the attributes that sustain the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage property.
Source(s): The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011)
Buffer zones are described in The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011) as follows:
”Every World Heritage property needs protection and management arrangements for activities outside the property, including their immediate setting. Buffer zones are one commonly used means to achieve this protection, conservation and management. However a buffer zone is not always a requirement if, as outlined in the Operational Guidelines, there are also legal, regulatory and other methods available to protect the property from wider threats (Paragraph 104). These may include recognition in land-use plans or development regulations, or ensuring landscape level connectivity between protected areas. Countries may have different mechanisms in this regard.
It should be clearly understood that the buffer zone does not form part of the World Heritage property but is there to assist in its protection, conservation and management.
The features and values of a buffer zone are [...] not included in the assessment of Outstanding Universal Value but may be relevant to the assessment of whether a nominated property meets requirements for integrity, authenticity, protection and management. Consideration needs to be given as to whether the immediate setting of the property is understood and can be readily defined, or whether more work is needed to define it.
Issues that can influence the buffer zone boundary include:
• characteristics of the potential Outstanding Universal Value;
• management requirements of the property;
• character of known or foreseeable threats or impacts;
• important views to or from the property;
• existing character of the potential buffer zone;
• ownership, resource use, management and protection (including legislation) within the potential buffer zone.
Although a buffer zone is not part of the inscribed World Heritage property, the buffer zone boundaries are formally registered at the time of inscription of a property, or at the time modifications are approved by the World Heritage Committee. The buffer zone is an integral component of the State Party’s commitment to the protection, conservation and management of the property. As such any buffer zone should be part of the overall management system for the property, and it should be clear how those responsible for managing the property are also able to provide input to and influence the management of activities in any buffer zone. The process of defining the buffer zone can be an important opportunity to involve stakeholders in understanding the property and working together for its long-term protection, conservation and management.”
Source(s): The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011)
Buffer zones in this context relate to those buffer zones submitted and acknowledged by the World Heritage Committee. To answer this question, please refer also to the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value provided in Chapter 3. Please indicate which of the suggested answers given to this question most closely reflects the current status of the property.
According to the World Heritage and Capacity Building Strategy, “For the purposes of this strategy, capacity building in the World Heritage framework can be defined as follows. If capacity is “the ability of individuals, organizations and societies to perform functions, solve problems, and set and achieve objectives in a sustainable manner” , then capacity building for the effective management of World Heritage properties will:
- strengthen the knowledge, abilities, skills and behavior of people with direct responsibilities for heritage conservation and management,
- improve institutional structures and processes through empowering decision-makers and policy-makers,
- and introduce a more dynamic relationship between heritage and its context and, in turn, greater reciprocal benefits by a more inclusive approach, such that missions and goals are met in a sustainable way.
Civil society is the “third sector” of society, along with government and business. It comprises civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations. The UN recognizes the importance of partnering with civil society, because it advances the Organization’s ideals, and helps support its work.
Source(s): http://www.un.org/en/sections/resources-different-audiences/civil-society/
‘Climate change’ means a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods.
Source: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Article 1
Adaptation to climate change refers to adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.
In 1992 the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Earth Summit) was held in Rio de Janeiro and resulted in the establishment of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in which nations agreed to explore further the causes and effects of global warming and how to limit and cope with its impacts. In 1995, the first Conference of the Parties (COP), the framework for the climate change negotiations, was launched to strengthen the emission reduction provisions of the Convention. Two years later in 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted which legally binds the developed countries to reduce carbon emissions. Since then, the Conference of the Parties (COP) has resulted in further provisions, but many of these are non-binding, and the climate change challenge remains.
At COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015, Parties to the UNFCCC reached a landmark agreement to combat climate change and to accelerate and intensify the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon future. The Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention and – for the first time – brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so. As such, it charts a new course in the global climate effort.
Source(s):
United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Climate Change Adaptation for Natural World Heritage Sites – A Practical Guide
The "Policy document on the impacts of climate change on World Heritage properties" was adopted by the 16th General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention. It touches on synergies between conventions on the issue; identification of future research needs in this area, legal questions on the role of the World Heritage Convention with regard to suitable responses to Climate Change, and linkages to other UN and international bodies dealing with the issues of climate change.
Read the World Heritage Sustainable Development Policy.
Source(s): https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/441/
Refers to a decision taken by the World Heritage Committee on whether a site should be inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Once a site has been nominated and evaluated, it is up to the intergovernmental World Heritage Committee to make the final decision on its inscription. Once a year, the Committee meets to decide which sites will be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It can also defer its decision and request further information on sites from the States Parties.
Read more about World Heritage nominations.
Source(s): https://whc.unesco.org/en/nominations/