Empowering Youth: 2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum Kicks Off in India

The 2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum began in Greater Noida, India, aiming to enhance the expertise of young professionals in preserving and promoting natural and cultural world heritage sites. The forum is part of the 46th session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee and will run from July 14 to July 23.

In a significant prelude to the upcoming World Heritage Committee session, a forum for young professionals commenced on Monday with an aim to bolster their expertise in the protection, preservation, and promotion of global heritage sites.

India is hosting the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time, from July 21 to July 31 in New Delhi. This year's session includes the 2024 World Heritage Young Professionals Forum, a key component of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, spearheaded by India's Ministry of Culture.

Located at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology in Greater Noida, the forum, themed “World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth,” will run from July 14 to July 23. Dignitaries including Govind Mohan, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Yadubir Singh Rawat, Director General of ASI, inaugurated the event.

This forum sees 50 young professionals presenting their insights and strategies on heritage management. It also emphasizes sustainable development in tackling climate change. The participants will gain theoretical knowledge and field experience by visiting heritage sites like the Qutab Minar complex, Red Fort, and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi, as well as the Taj Mahal in Agra.

The event will culminate with the young professionals presenting their 'Declaration' to the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee. The forum provides a vital platform for intercultural exchange and collaborative learning, aiming for effective implementation of the World Heritage Convention in today's world.