Questionnaire - Training and Capacity Building

CLT/WHC/4667/PR/AF/PT

Dear National Focal Points,

In the framework of the follow-up of the First Periodic Reporting cycle and the preparation of its second exercise (2012-2014), the World Heritage Centre, together with ICCROM, has undertaken a study on the implementation of the recommendations concerning training and capacity-building in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, with a view of elaborating an integrated and targeted strategy addressing the priority needs in training and capacity building for the preservation of World Heritage properties. The strategy will build on the World Heritage capacity building strategy and will be developed in the perspective of the preparation of the Second cycle of Periodic Reporting to be launched in 2013 for the sub-regions concerned. It will be accordingly adjusted in the future further to the outcome of the Second Cycle of Period Reporting.

As you are aware, the recommendations of the First Periodic Reporting cycle for the concerned sub-regions included actions towards the promotion of effective capacity-building in the States Parties such as the establishment of an effective network of national focal points and site managers, the development of targeted training facilities, production and dissemination of ‘best practices’ in all relevant fields, encouragement of World Heritage focused research.

In the light of the above, the World Heritage Centre is undertaking this initiative to identify all main actors concerned, priority needs, possibilities of funding, fund-raising options and coordination/avoiding the duplication of activities concerning World Heritage in the sub-regions. We believe that this will contribute to the implementation of the World Heritage Strategy for capacity building and greatly enhance the impact for all concerned stakeholders.

To ensure that the strategy is as inclusive and relevant as possible we consider it of the utmost importance to receive your input. Therefore we have developed the enclosed questionnaire about training, capacity building and funding mechanisms. As we are well aware of the tremendous workload you have to deal with, we kept the questionnaire as succinct as possible.

The questionnaire is aimed at obtaining as much information as possible, so please feel free to provide us with any information you deem relevant for the development of this strategy.

Thank you for sending in the completed questionnaire to the World Heritage Centre at your earliest convenience, no later than 10 February 2012.

I would be grateful if you could transmit your contributions to Mrs Petya Totcharova, chief of the Europe and North America unit, World Heritage Centre, via e-mail: p.totcharova@unesco.org.

Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation and continued support in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Kishore Rao
Director
World Heritage Centre

cc: Permanent Delegations of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe to UNESCO
National Commissions of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe for UNESCO