As an integral part of the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, in the framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, and with the support of the Republic of Bulgaria, the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2025 will take place from 1 to 8 July 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, under the theme of World Heritage in an interconnected world: Leveraging digital technologies and innovative approaches.
The main objective of the Forum is to enhance the understanding and expertise of young professionals in protecting, preserving, and promoting our natural and cultural World Heritage through the implementation of emerging technologies. The forum will bring together about 25 young professionals from across the globe with diverse backgrounds to foster mutual learning and exchange on the Forum topics through a combination of presentations, round tables, workshops, virtual and on-site visits.
At the end of the Forum, the young professionals will present their Declaration at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee.
Background
The World Heritage Young Professionals Fora are among the flagship activities of the World Heritage Education Programme, designed to foster intercultural learning and exchange by bringing together young people and heritage experts from different parts of the world to discover new roles for themselves in heritage conservation. They allow the young professionals to gain local insights on heritage management from the experience of the host country and through site visits to World Heritage properties, and also provide an opportunity for them to meet with the members of the World Heritage Committee and its Advisory Bodies and discuss the 1972 Convention and its implementation in greater depth. For further information on the previous World Heritage Young Professionals.
Theme of the Forum
The theme of the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2025 is set as “World Heritage in an interconnected world: Leveraging digital technologies and innovative approaches”. This theme addresses the challenges and opportunities of preserving and promoting World Heritage in a rapidly changing and increasingly connected world. It explores how emerging new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), immersive tools (AR/VR), digital mapping, drones and 3D modelling can revolutionize the preservation and awareness raising of World Heritage. It also highlights the need to develop Innovative approaches to World Heritage to foster sustainable heritage management for future generations.
Provisional Programme
The Forum’s main venue will be at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. To supplement the theoretical knowledge gained during the forum, participants will have the opportunity to engage in World Heritage sites visits.
An initial outline of the Forum’s programme is available below. Updates on the programme, as well as the final programme, will be sent to the selected participants in due course.
Awards:-
The participants are expected to arrive on 30 June 2025 and depart on 8 July 2025. All related expenses (economy class flights, accommodation, local transportation, meals and visa fees) will be covered 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.
For any clarifications regarding the application form, please contact: [email protected]
Deadline:- 22-04-2025
