UNESCO World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024

India hosted the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time, held from July 21-31, 2024, in New Delhi. The 2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum, organized by the Ministry of Culture.

Overview of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting

India hosts the UNESCO World Heritage Cmmittee meeting for the first time
Scheduled fromJuly 21-31, 2024, in New Delhi
46th session of the World Heritage Committee
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme
Ministry of Culture organizing the 2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum

Theme:

"World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth"

World Heritage Young Professionals Forum Details

Dates: July 14-23, 2024
Venue: Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi
Organizer: Archaeological Survey of India (under Ministry of Culture)
Participants: 50 young professionals (20 from India, 30 from other countries)
Inauguration: July 15, 2024, by Govind Mohan, Secretary, Ministry of Culture

Other key attendees:

- Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General, ASI
- Vishal Sharma, Ambassador to UNESCO
- Alok Tripathi, ADG (Archaeology), ASI
- Janhwij Sharma, ADG, ASI
- Ines Yousfi, Project Officer from UNESCO

Forum Objectives and Activities

Enhance expertise, skills, and capacities of young professionals in heritage protection
Discuss global concepts of World Heritage and Sustainable Development
Familiarize participants with Indian heritage and its management

Activities include:

- Presentations
- Roundtable discussions
- Site visits to World Heritage properties:
  - Qutb Minar complex, Red Fort, and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi
  - Taj Mahal in Agra
Concluding event: Presentation of 'Declaration' to the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee on July 22, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi

Key Focus Areas and Sub-themes

Climate change and its impact on World Heritage sites
Sustainable development in heritage management
Integration of scientific and human-centric approaches
Use of latest technological innovations in heritage preservation
Managerial practices and participative approaches with community involvement

Sub-themes include:

- Understanding achievements and challenges of the World Heritage Convention
- Integrating innovative technologies for World Heritage promotion
- Leveraging World Heritage conservation as a participative approach with communities
- Strengthening sustainable tourism and development through young entrepreneurship

About UNESCO

UNESCO (United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation)
On November 16, 1945, UNESCO was established in London.
Headquarter: Paris, France
UNESCO is an official United Nations agency.
Its goals include bringing cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures to the forefront of education and establishing global peace.
Currently, there are 42 UNECO World Heritage Sites in India.

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