U.S. World Heritage Experts Meet at UVA and Monticello
This week a cross-section of U.S. World Heritage experts convened for a meeting at one of our nation's World Heritage Sites, Monticello and the University of Virginia.
Discussion focused on how the United States World Heritage sites might better use the designation, particularly in the context of the National Travel and Tourism Strategy. Participants even tossed around the idea of creating a U.S. National Committee for World Heritage under our Commission.
Later this month UNESCO's World Heritage Committee will meet in St. Petersburg Russia for its 36th Session. The U.S. does not sit on the Committee, but we will have a delegation of observers there.
One controversial issue that may come up is an effort to inscribe the Church of the Nativity to the World Heritage List through an emergency measure.
There has been a bunch in the press about this. UN Watch recently published an article about the issue, which you can read here, CNN has a piece here, the Jerusalem post here, and Al-Arabiya here.
As part of the 20th Session of the IHP (International Hydrological Program) Intergovernmental Council meeting, UNESCO Paris hosted an exhibit by American photographer Gil Garcetti entitled "Women, water, and wells."
U.S. Ambassador to UNESCO David Killion hosted a special reception to highlight the exhibit and the vital role agencies like the IHP play in providing fresh water resources for sustainable development.
Within the UN system, UNESCO is a primary promoter of science diplomacy between the nations of the world. AAAS recently published an article about the vital importance of engineering diplomacy in today's world, which you can see here!
More On To Be Or Not IB
Jean Bernard in the field
New Hampshire based Commission member Jean Bernard served as an education consultant to UNESCO for a number of years.
She recently wrote an article about the association between UNESCO and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which is currently being examined in New Hampshire.
You can read Jean's article in the Manchester Union Leader here.
JumpStart accelerates the success of qualifiednot-for-profit organizations (NPO's), at breakthrough low costs, by providing free professional internet solutions and image design services while creating new educational opportunities for students to learn and grow their skills and experience.
JumpStart is a global program, without borders, benefiting society by "jump-starting" the success of missions and organizations of hope. Candidate NPO's, if chosen, have the opportunity to receive a full-range of free, ongoing, professional design to keep their site current, and technical support services to maintain the mission and vision of their organization. The missions, combined skills, experience, and infrastructure of UNESCO Center for Peace and the World Genesis Foundation form a powerful venture. Find out more here.
Frontiers in Development
U.S. National Comission Youth Working Group Members Alex Pommier, Ross Seidman, and Alex Wirth participated in the inaugural USAID Frontiers in Development Conference this week at Georgetown University.
They joined thought leaders from across the field to discuss the opportunities and challenges present in developing countries and what the future of development looks like. Here they are pictured with USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah.
This year's theme is Literacy and Peace - both in multilingual contexts and supporting literacy in rural areas. Four prizes are awarded, each of which includes a $20,000 grant. Last year one of our nominees, Room to Read, was a winner.
You can find more information about the prize and the nomination form here.
Our Commission can submit two nominations - if you know of any U.S. organizations that might be good contenders please let me know!
As part of the effort to mark the 40th anniversary of UNESCO's World Heritage Convention, our Commission is teaming up with the National Park Service, the American Council for Historic Preservation, and History to accept submissions for a video challenge!
If you or anybody you know would like to speak out about why American World Heritage sites are important for the world, send in a submission! Find out more here!
The Tokyo based Goi Peace Foundation is calling for submissions to it's International Essay Contest for Young People.
This program is open to participants 25 and younger - the theme of this year's essay contest is: "Creating the Future We Want."
1st Prize for this year is 1300 bucks - and there are a bunch of other prizes after that. If you're short enough in the tooth (young enough to participate) or know anyone who is that might be interested, please send them here.
Deadline for submissions is Sat 6/30/12. You can see last year's prize winning essays here.
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNACOC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are calling on youth (25 or younger) to submit original and creative videos - 5 minutes or less - focusing on migration, diversity, and social inclusion as part of a video conference.
Winners will get a free trip to New York to present their submissions to the Plural+ Youth Video Festival in December.
The deadline for video submissions is 7/1/12. For more information, go here!
11th UN Youth Assembly
Friendship Ambassadors, a foundation that supports international travel and exchange programs based in Connecticut, is helping to produce several events this summer worth noting.
From Wed 8/1 - Fri 8/3, Friendship Ambassadors will be producing the 11th Youth Assembly at the UN in NYC. This event will convene nearly 1000 global youth leaders (ages 16-24). There is still time to register and the meeting could use some more American representation. If you know of any young people who might be interested in participating, please send them here.
Friendship Ambassadors will also be producing the "Rhythms of One World International Choral Festival" this June. Find out more here.
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So is the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO! If you haven't liked us yet, we won't take it personally. But...what are you waiting for! Like us here.
Wed 6/20 - Thurs 6/21: UNESCO Mtg on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (Paris)
