YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ARE THE FUTURE OF WORLD HERITAGE CITIES The Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) and the city of Gyeongju are proud to hold the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2017 under the theme Heritage & Communities: Tools to Engage Local Communities, as part of the 14th World Congress of the OWHC. Our dream is to inspire Youths of World Heritage Cities from the member cities and to see them participating in the future network of the OWHC. It is a very difficult and overwhelming dream. However, in order to creatively hand over the Outstanding Universal Values of World Heritage to the next generation, the world demands big dreams of all of us, and we are ready to meet the challenges, with your support. WHAT? OWHC Young Professionals Forum, to be held from 29 th of October to 5 th of November 2017, will provide a platform for youth to engage in a dialogue with Member cities and share ideas on how member cities develop and implement innovative and collective actions to preserve their World Heritage sites, together with local communities under the Goal 11 'Sustainable Cities and Communities' which is at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. WHO? The forum will bring youth leaders, the age between 19 and 30, from the member cities to Gyeongju, the host city of the 14 th OWHC World Congress. It will give them the opportunity to engage with other youth delegates and representatives from member cities.
HOW? This eight day event will feature interactive dialogues among representatives from the member cities, high-level and other keynote speakers. They will participate in various activities including Site Visit,, Discussion, Scientific Workshop and cultural events. As a result of the Forum, they will produce OWHC declaration of Young Professionals In order to maximize the exchange of ideas, they will be divided into 6 small groups. Each group will be provided with the mentors who can guide their works. The topics they will discuss are 2030 Sustainable Development Goals & World Heritage Cities roles of the local communities in World Heritage preservation and management how the youth engages in activities on World Heritage Cities preservation. SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE Saturday, October 28 Arrival of the Participants Welcome Icebreaking Session Sunday, October 29 Breakfast in the Hotel Opening Ceremony - Welcome Remarks, Yangsik Choi, Mayor of Gyeongju Mr. Denis Ricard, Secretary General of the OWHC World Heritage Cities and the State of Conservation by Prof. Richard Mackay, Director of Possibilities, Mackay Strategic The Sustainable Development Goals and Safeguarding World Heritage by Ms. Ege Yldrim, ICOMOS Focal Point for SDGs Young Professionals Presentation and Discussion 1 Discussion Topic: Why World Heritage Cities preservation is important to achieve SDGs?
Monday, October 30 Visit Hwangnamdong Area, Interviewing local residents and tourists Local People s Reaction to the Rapid Development of the Area Return to the hotel Young Professionals Presentation and Discussion 2 Discussion Topic: how local communities make their cities 'sustainable' and how the youth can participate? Tuesday, October 31 Community Engagement for preservation of Historic Cities: Case of Baekjae Historic Areas by Dr. Sujeong Lee, Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea by Dr. Duong Bich Hanh, Chief, Culture Unit, UNESCO Bangkok City Tour (Wolseong Cheomseongdae Observatory Daereungwon Gyerim Gyochon Hanok Village) Participate in the Opening Ceremony for the 14 th World Congress of the OWHC Welcome Wednesday, November 1 Participate in the OWHC Scientific Day Reflection of the Scientific Day Thursday, November 2 Visit Yangdong Historic Village, Interviewing local residents and tourists Role of the local communities for the conservation of WH
Young Professionals Presentation and Discussion 3 Draft Declaration Friday, November 3 Participate in the Experts Workshop Finalize the declaration Closing Ceremony of the World Congress Declaration Ceremony of Young Professionals Saturday, November 4 Visit to Haeinsa Temple, Tripitaka Koreana Free Time Closing Party The participants will be given certificates issued by the OWHC Sunday, November 5 Departure FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT The organizers provide local hospitality (accommodation, meals, and local transportation) for one delegate of a member city. Flight tickets will be purchased by the individual participants
ALL ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: Mr. Jahyun Jang Regional Coordinator OWHC-AP Tel: 82 54 779 6919 (Direct) E-mail: owhc-ap@korea.kr