Added: 04/11/2006 |
Basic Goals of the Organization of World Heritage CitiesThe UNESCO's efforts to encourage preservation and protection of natural and cultural heritage worldwide, considered to be of great value to the humanity, have found their reflection in an international treaty - the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted in 1972.
According to this Convention, UNESCO World Heritage mission can be defined as following:
- Ensure the protection of cultural and natural heritage of members; encourage States Parties to the Convention to establish plans and systems for conservation of their World Heritage sites; assist States Parties in protecting World Heritage properties by offering professional training and technical support; render emergency assistance for the World Heritage sites in danger;
- Encourage the local population's participation in preservation of their natural and cultural heritage;
- Support public activities of States Parties for World Heritage conservation; promote international co-operation in conservation of the world's natural and cultural heritage.
These goals have been pursued by the Organization of World Heritage Cities, a non-profit, non-governmental body, created in September 1993 to help member cities improve their management methods in compliance with the specific requirements of hosting a site inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Through the collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute, OWHC set the following objectives: to understand better some of the management and conservation issues related to historic cities and identity areas where the Gerry Conservation Institute can co-operate with other institutions and cities to address these issues; to create a forum, where all participants of the Organization of World Heritage Cities will be able to discuss relevant issues; to develop a prototype course for introduction of new decision makers as persons responsible for World Heritage Cities.
Among the important issues raised in the collaborative project of GCI and OWHC was the involvement of mayors, elected generally to a four-year term. Each of them must be introduced to the responsibilities, related to running World Heritage Cities. In achieving this aim, the Getty Conservation Institute launched an introductory course for newly elected officials or mayors. The fist course was delivered during the eighth World Symposium in Cusco, Peru as a pre-symposium workshop.
The membership of OWHC is comprised of cities on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Thus, the organization has 208 member cities, 7 of which can be found in Africa, 20 in Asia and the Pacific, 22 in the Arab States, 36 in Latin America and 123 in North America and Europe. Some of them include Bergen in Norway, Naples in Italy, Salamanca in Spain, Edinburgh in Scotland, Tallinn in Estonia, Budapest in Hungary, Kazan in Russian Federation, Guanajuato in Mexico, Tunis in Tunisia and much more.
These are unique and diverse cities, recognized as sources of inspiration that must be preserved and protected.
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!
