What is a UNESCO Site and Why You Should Visit Them

I've visited and mentioned quite a few UNESCO sites during my travels. While I've delighted in describing what makes each site incredible, I haven't really delved in to what makes a UNESCO site well... a UNESCO site. So here's a quick breakdown of what a UNESCO site is and why you should visit them. [caption id="attachment_2378" align="alignnone" width="1382"] Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu - UNESCO World Hertiage cultural and natural site[/caption]

It's in the Name

UNESCO stands for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The organization has its roots in World War Two. In 1942, the European Allies met with the goal of restoring their educational systems once the war was over. Their original scope grew when other allied nations came onboard and cultural protection was added to the mandate. At their first conference in November 1954, 44 countries met in hopes of creating an organization that would "embody a genuine culture of peace". Hence, UNESCO was born. More on UNESCO's history can be found here.

They're on a Mission

So what exactly does UNESCO do? Among other programs, UNESCO oversees the World Heritage Convention, created in 1978, which "seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity". They play a diplomatic role in encouraging countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and then offer support for protecting, preserving and promoting these sites. [caption id="attachment_2516" align="alignnone" width="4608"] Ha Long Bay - UNESCO World Hertiage natural site[/caption]

It's a Process

Getting a site listed on UNESCO World Heritage can take some doing. There is a long list of potential criteria on which a site and the host country will be evaluated.Want to see what makes the list? Here's a list of the cultural and natural criteria. Sites are nominated and only added to the official list annual at a convention if it meets at least one of the criteria. Apparently, it can be expensive to get a site on the nomination list. You have to prepare an application, produce a management report, and commit to annual spending on World Heritage activities. But there's also an economic boon to the site and surrounding communities as a result of the increased profile from the listing (although that causal relationship is questionable to me). And apparently it can be political as every participating country holds an equal vote and like all votes, certain parties stick together and votes can be shifted in favour as a favour. I have no evidence of this except the general imbalance in the location of World Heritage Sites and my being a generally very suspcious person. And once a site has recived World Heritage status, there's a whole buttload of Protection and Management requirements (items 96 through 119 of the operational guidelines) including legislative, regulatory, management systems, and sustainable use. [caption id="attachment_2251" align="alignnone" width="4608"] Angkor - UNESCO World Heritage cultural site[/caption]

So why make visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites a focus of your next adventure?

They Conserve Culture

Just to clear things up, the sites listed as World Hertiage sites are neither owned nor operated by UNESCO or the UN - they are the cultural property of the respective country's government or in very few cases, private owners. But according to UNESCO...

World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.

Aww. Isn't that nice? Besides celebrating humanity's shared cultural history, World Heritage designation means increased care and awareness for the sites. Besides promoting conservation to citizens and local government, UNESCO occassionally provides funds for the upkeep and protection of these sites - activities that may otherwise be challenging for governments in developing or conflict nations. They're helping to keep these cultural gems safe for the people that own that history as well as world travellers.

They Preserve Critical Ecosystems

Again, to clear things up, UNESCO sites aren't just ancient buildings. They include natural sites as well. One of the criteria for a natural site designation is "important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species". The required protection and management approaches perscribed by UNECSCO can help add structure to preservation efforts for the natural sites. In this instance as well, UNESCO can provide resources such as expert advice or financial aid to governments that often struggle to protect these natural areas from development, poaching, overfishing, or illegal resource harvesting. [caption id="attachment_1872" align="alignnone" width="4608"] Diving the Great Blue Hole on the Belize Barrier Reef System - A UNESCO World Heritage natural site[/caption]

They Encourage Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is largely about mitigating risk and reducing negative impact, in my oversimplified opinion. And UNESCO is big on promoting sustainable use of the World Heritage Sites. In fact, it's part of their Operational Guidelines, albeit somewhat non-specific in the wording. The focus on preservation, conservation and responsible management of cultural and natural resources requires international agency, local government and community involvment. These are partnerships and resources that may not otherwise be pooled for the collective goal of saving ecological and cultural sites.

They are Frickin' Cool

Uh, have you seen the super awesome stuff on The List?! Look at that map! There are more than 1000 properties in more than 167 countries to check out. Besides some of the better known sites like the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, Macchu Pichu and Petra which I have been fortunate enough to visit, there are amazing natural wonders like the Belize Barrier Reef System, the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks, Everglades National Park, Ha Long Bay, and Wadi Rum to name a few. [caption id="attachment_1794" align="alignnone" width="2000"] Taj Mahal - UNESCO World Heritage cultural site[/caption] If you're wondering what to see or do at your next destination, I highly recommend checking out the World Heritage List. You might be surprised at what ecological or cultural gems await you.