Call for Applications: World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024

The main objective of the Forum is to enhance the expertise and capacities of young professionals in protecting, preserving, and promoting the 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 of the Forum 

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

Travel and Accommodation 

• The participants are expected to arrive on 14 July 2024 and depart on 23 July 2024. All related expenses (economy class flights, accommodation, local transportation, and meals) will be covered by the host country for the duration of the Forum. The organizers will also assist in the travel preparations and will provide support to the participants who need a visa. If any participant wishes to extend his/her stay after 23 July 2024, all related costs will be covered by the participant.

Eligible Applicants

• 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.

For more information, visit UNESCO.