Posts
‘A Future for Whose Past’: Where Are Communities, Minorities and Other Groups in the World Heritage Discourse?
The conference “A Future for Whose Past?” at Monte Verità explored how World Heritage can better represent minorities, communities, and overlooked groups. Organized by ETH Zurich, EPFL, ICOMOS Switzerland, and partners, it called for more inclusive heritage policies, community consultation, and recognition of diverse identities in global conservation practices.
A paradigm shift is needed now! Adapting World Heritage guidelines to climate change reality
Following the adoption of UNESCO’s 2023 Policy Document on Climate Action for World Heritage, German experts, site managers, and institutional partners explored concrete actions for safeguarding cultural and natural World Heritage in the face of the climate crisis.
OWH Statement at the 47th World Heritage Committee: Institutionalizing the Guiding Principles for Sites of Memory
At the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Dr Tokie Laotan-Brown delivered a formal statement on behalf of OurWorldHeritage Foundation. You can read the full one-minute version of our statement here.
Make it official! World Heritage guidelines for sites of recent conflicts
On July 11, 2025, the World Heritage Committee at its 47 th session will inscribe Cambodian Memorial Sites: from centres of repression to places of peace and reflection using criterion (vi). The Kingdom of Cambodia has chosen three sites to represent one of the most serious abuses of human rights in the 20th century.
America’s Historic Places under Existential Threat
Historic places come in all shapes and sizes, dotted across the landscape of the United States of America. They embody the history, culture, stories and shared experience of Americans. The recently released draft federal budget proposal for 2026 threatens the entire heritage conservation system.
OWH Statement at the 46th World Heritage Committee: Strengthening Civil Society’s Role in Decision-Making
At the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Dr. Shikha Jain delivered a formal statement on behalf of OurWorldHeritage Foundation. You can read the full one-minute version of our statement here.
Final reports #2021debate published
Finalised reports on the 2021debate themes are published here.