OWH Statement at the 46th World Heritage Committee: Strengthening Civil Society’s Role in Decision-Making

At the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, Dr. Shikha Jain, Founding Director of DRONAH and OWH representative, delivered our statement under Item 11 (30 July 2024). The statement presented OWH’s proposal to revise the Operational Guidelines to enable meaningful and effective participation of civil society organizations in World Heritage decision-making.

“Mr President,

Thank you very much for giving the floor to OurWorldHeritage, a Foundation whose aim is to express the voice of civil society organizations within the framework of the 1972 Convention.

For many years, the UN as well as UNESCO reiterate, in their policies, the importance of an effective participation of Civil Society Organizations within their activities.

Unfortunately, in practical terms, the voice of civil society in the World Heritage Convention is still too weak. The 2003 Convention and the 2005 Convention have done a much better job of establishing procedures that enable the meaningful participation of civil society in decision-making.

OurWorldHeritage considers that it is high time that the Committee address this question.

The inclusion of civil society organizations will ensure that global communities, from youth to seniors, are truly empowered to protect and preserve our world's cultural sites and treasures. Working together, we must strengthen cultural understanding, promote peace and foster well-being.

To that end, we would like to urge the WH Committee to consider requesting a report on ways and means to enhance the participation of Civil Society Organizations in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, including specific recommendations for the necessary changes to the Rules of Procedure of its Governing Bodies and to the Operational Guidelines.

Our Foundation would be happy to contribute to the elaboration of this report to ensure that the views of civil society are reflected in its conclusions.

Mr President, I would like to request that this Statement be included in the summary records of the meeting. Thank you for your attention.”