Applications are invited for UNESCO World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024 in Delhi from 14-23 July 2024. The last date of application is April 30.
About the Forum
As an integral part of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee and in the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the Ministry of Culture through the Archaeological Survey of India, will host the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024 under the theme of World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth from 14 to 23 July 2024 in Delhi, Republic of India.
The Forum will enhance the expertise and capacities of young professionals in protecting, preserving, and promoting our natural and cultural World Heritage. As key actors within their local communities, they will jointly explore opportunities to operationalise the World Heritage Convention in the twenty-first century.
They will discuss and gain in-depth knowledge of the global concepts of World Heritage and Sustainable Development while also having the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the local Indian heritage and its management. At the end of the Forum, the young professionals will present their Declaration to the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee.
Theme
The theme of the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024 is set as “World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth”. The overall aim of the Forum is to deepen the knowledge and skills of young professionals in protecting, preserving, and promoting natural and cultural heritage.
Accompanied by local and international experts, and through a variety of presentations, roundtables, discussions and site visits, the young professionals will collectively explore the opportunities in managing heritage with an approach rooted in community engagement and collective participation, addressing the following sub-themes:
- Understanding the achievements and challenges of the World Heritage Convention
- Climate change and its impact on World Heritage sites
- Integrating innovative technologies for the promotion of World Heritage
- Leveraging World Heritage conservation as a participative approach alongside with communities
- Strengthening sustainable tourism and development through young entrepreneurship
Eligibility
Participants of the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024 are expected to be:
- Aged between 23 and 32 years
- Experienced in one of these fields: World Heritage, conservation, archaeology, architecture, conservation, urban planning & regeneration, restoration, art history, tourism, climate change, and digital technology
- Motivated and committed to implementing the outcomes of the Forum in their respective countries
- Committed to enhancing community engagement in the management of World Heritage properties
- Available for the entire duration of the Forum
- Proficient in English, as the Forum will be conducted entirely in English
In addition to general eligibility, the following elements will also be considered in selecting the participants:
- Balanced geographical representation
- Gender equality
- Diversity of professional backgrounds
- Ability to disseminate gained experience in the country or institution of origin
- Knowledge and experience in the management practices for World Heritage sites
Important dates
- 14 July 2024: Arrival Day
- 15 July 2024: Opening of the Forum and Introductions
- 16-19 July 2024: Thematic discussions and site visits to Qutb Minar and its monuments, Red Fort Complex, and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi
- 20 July 2024: Joint event with the participants of the World Heritage Site Managers Forum
- 21 July 2024: Drafting of the Youth Declaration
- 22 July 2024: Presentation of the Forum outcomes to the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee and closure of the Forum.
- 23 July 2024: Participation in the World Heritage Committee (optional). Departure of participants.
How to Apply?
All interested candidates who wish to apply for participation in the World Heritage Young Professionals
Forum are invited to complete the form at this link.
Contact
For any clarifications regarding the application form, please contact dirins.asi@gmail.com & wh-ypf@unesco.org.
