World Heritage Day

About World Heritage Day 

• It is also referred to as International Day for Monuments and it is observed on April 18.
• Objective: To raise awareness about monuments and other sites which form a part of our history and culture.
• Background
  • In 1982, The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) proposed the idea of observing World Heritage Day on April 18 every year. The following year, the proposal was approved at UNESCO's General Conference.
• Theme of 2024: The theme for this year's World Heritage Day is - Discover and experience diversity.
• Significance
  • The purpose of World Heritage Day is to raise awareness among local communities about protecting our cultural heritage. People from various places and backgrounds come together and exchange knowledge about their histories and customs.

What is the International Council on Monuments and Sites?

• It is a non-governmental organization, was founded in 1965 after the adoption of the Charter of Venice, in order to promote the doctrine and the techniques of conservation.
• It provides the World Heritage Committee with evaluations of properties with cultural values proposed for inscription on the World Heritage List, as well as with comparative studies, technical assistance and reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties.

Q1: What is the World Heritage Committee?

It is a committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.

Source: World Heritage Day 2024: Date, history, significance and all that you need to know