UNESCO and Panasonic inspire pupils in Fujian, China, to become ambassadors of World Heritage protection

Since their first agreement signed in 2011, UNESCO and Panasonic have worked together to educate young people about  protecting natural and cultural heritage. Long-term success of the program depends on the children of today, hence their involvement is of key importance.

As part of the cooperation with UNESCO, Panasonic China hosted 50 pupils and teachers in a school excursion from 3 to 6 February 2015 to four Fujian Tulou – a World Heritage site consisting of 46 earthen traditional Chinese houses constructed between the 15th and 20th centuries in south-west Fujian province. The participants became “ambassadors” of environmental and cultural protection.

Children between the ages of 8 and 12, and their teachers accompanying them, had the opportunity to visit these examples of outstanding human settlements and learn about UNESCO activities. The children then gave an account of what they learned during the programme, and made their own proposals of how to raise public awareness of the importance of environmental protection.

In conjunction with this programme, UNESCO organized, with the support of Panasonic, a World Heritage Media/Communication Training Workshop (1st to 6th February 2015) where youth leaders and volunteers from Beijing, Sanquingshan, Chengdu, Qufu and other provinces acquired basic skills to produce different media in support of communication about World Heritage conservation.

To date, Panasonic has hosted World Heritage Environment Education Programs at 22 World Heritage sites in 15 countries. Thanks to the Panasonic-UNESCO joint initiative, thousands of children from all over the world are given the opportunity to visit and get to know World Heritage sites in their own countries. These visits help young people to understand why protecting their environment is important. A total of five thousand children have participated in these excursions so far.