UNESCO World Heritage Centre, ICCROM and IUCN, under the World Heritage Leadership Programme, are pleased to announce that the 7th edition of the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum (WHSM25) will be organized in conjunction with the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee. The Forum's theme is:
Enhancing engagement in the World Heritage Reactive Monitoring process
World Heritage site managers and members of World Heritage site management teams from across the globe are eligible to participate in this year's Forum, which aims to create opportunities for the empowerment of site managers in expanding their networks and exchanging knowledge and experiences at an international level.
Organizers: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership Programme. The Forum is supported by Bulgaria, the National Monuments Service of the Republic of Ireland and ICCROM.
Venue: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
Dates: one online Zoom meeting in June 2025 (date to be confirmed) and in-person in Paris from 7 to 9 July 2025 (excluding travel dates)
Language: English (interpretation will be provided in French during plenary session only)
Theme and topics
This year's Forum will focus on strengthening the capacity of site managers and World Heritage actors to engage with the Reactive Monitoring process. Reacting Monitoring is "the reporting by the World Heritage Centre, other sectors of UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of specific World Heritage properties under threat." To address threats to these properties, collaboration with a diverse range of actors – including site managers, management institutions, rights-holders and stakeholders – is crucial. The Forum will also explore ways to involve these various actors, ensuring proactive networks for integrating World Heritage concerns into broader planning and policy development.
This edition of the Forum will cover the following main topics:
- The World Heritage Convention, its actors and key processes;
- The Reactive Monitoring process, including reporting and procedures;
- Collaboration with a wide range of actors for better management;
- Existing and forthcoming resources to strengthen the management of World Heritage properties.
Additional topics will be explored based on the issues in the World Heritage properties of the selected participants.
Objectives of the Forum
The major objectives of WHSMF25 are:
- To promote international cooperation of World Heritage site managers and coordinate worldwide actions in favour of the protection and conservation of humankind’s historical heritage through activities and interventions aimed at raising awareness of States Parties to this heritage.
- To reinforce and support the international network of site managers that defines, improves and promotes conservation principles, standards, research, responsible practice, and innovation about the protection of World Heritage properties.
- To assist site managers through appropriate guidance to harness the potential of World Heritage properties and heritage in general.
- To strengthen the enabling environment by advocating policies, strategies, frameworks and tools that support sustainable development as an important vehicle for protecting and managing cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.
- To directly expose the site managers to the issues discussed during the World Heritage Committee sessions on the state of conservation (SOC) reports.
Who is eligible?
- Current World Heritage site managers as well as persons working within the site management from all natural, cultural and mixed World Heritage properties are eligible.
- Only one (1) participant per World Heritage property will be accepted. An exception will be made for transboundary or transnational properties, for which only one (1) person per State Party involved may be accepted.
- Priority will be given to participants from World Heritage properties that are currently under the Reactive Monitoring process, and especially to those inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
- Site managers who have not yet had the opportunity to attend previous editions of the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum will be given preference.
- Selection will also be guided in view of balancing regional, age and gender distribution of participants as well as typologies of World Heritage properties represented.
Travel costs and available grants
Selected participants will be responsible for their round-trip travel costs to and from UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, as well as their accommodation and living expenses during the entire Forum. Information on specific hotels near the venue of the WHSMF25 will be provided to the Forum participants for their individual reservations.
ICCROM has secured limited travel grants to support the participation of some selected site managers to attend the Forum, from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS), or in conflict/post-conflict situations. Some of these scholarships will be awarded through the ICCROM and Ireland's National Monuments Service Establish Scholarship Fund for Heritage Professionals from Africa and SIDS established in July 2024.
Selected participants are strongly encouraged to seek financial support from their institutions and other sources such as governmental institutions, employers and other funding agencies.
Application process
Please note, that the following information will be requested as part of the application process:
- A professional curriculum vitae in PDF format (max. 2 pages).
- An electronic version of your valid passport in JPG or PDF format.
Site managers are invited to submit their applications through the online form of the 7th World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum, which is available here.
Applications should be completed and submitted in English or French only. Applications in languages other than the above-mentioned will not be considered.
The deadline to apply is 4 May 2025 at 23:59, CEST. Applicants will be informed directly of the selection process result from 12 May 2025.
For more information, please contact the Forum organizers by email at wh-smf@unesco.org