In recent news, the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University in Gujarat has gained recognition from the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research – Asia Pacific (WHITR-AP). The institute acknowledged the university’s programme in conservation and regeneration as an applauded example of Global Innovation on World Heritage Education.
The World Heritage Education Programme, initiated in 1994 as a special project under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), aims at providing young people an opportunity to contribute towards the preservation of shared cultural and natural heritage.
About WHITR-AP
WHITR-AP is a non-profit organization with expertise in heritage conservation. Its establishment under the patronage of UNESCO marked the first-ever such institution set up in developing countries. WHITR-AP functions as an independent authority serving member states and associated members of UNESCO.
Mission of WHITR-AP
The primary objective of WHITR-AP is to fortify the execution of the World Heritage Convention 1972 in the Asia and the Pacific region.
World Heritage Convention 1972
The World Heritage Convention is a significant global conservation tool formulated in 1972. It endeavors to identify and safeguard natural and cultural heritage deemed to possess Outstanding Universal Value. The convention details the responsibilities of States Parties in identifying potential sites and their role in preserving and protecting them.
By becoming a signatory to the Convention, each country commits to conserve not only the World Heritage sites within its territory but also its national heritage. The execution of the Convention is managed by the World Heritage Committee, backed by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and three advisory bodies to the Committee: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).
India’s Engagement with the Convention
As a signatory to the convention, India boasts 40 world heritage sites, compartmentalized into 32 cultural, 7 natural, and one mixed property. The 39th site was the Ramappa Temple in Telangana, while Dholavira in Gujarat became India’s 40th world heritage site.
About UNESCO
UNESCO pursues peace-building through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences, and Culture. Established in 1945, it is headquartered in Paris, France.
Major Initiatives by UNESCO
UNESCO has rolled out several major initiatives over the years. These include the Man and Biosphere Programme, World Heritage Programme, Global Geopark Network, Network of Creative Cities, and Atlas of World Languages in Danger.