Relying on the community to protect and promote the value of world heritage in Vietnam

The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO in coordination with the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism , and the Hanoi People's Committee. This is also an event in a series of activities to implement the Action Plan for the period 2021-2025 of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Memorandum of Understanding on Vietnam-UNESCO Cooperation for the period 2021-2025.

Director of the World Heritage Center Lazare Eloundou Assomo attended the workshop. Also attending the workshop were delegates representing the UNESCO Office in Vietnam, leaders of central and local ministries, branches and heritage-owning localities, world heritage management boards in Vietnam, experts and scientists in the fields of history, archaeology, conservation, museums, heritage, etc.

International scientific conference “Protection and promotion of world heritage values: community-based approach for sustainable development”.

Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong stated: Heritage is not only a memory of the past that needs to be preserved, but also a strategic asset for the future - a valuable resource that helps communities define their cultural identity, strengthen social cohesion and create momentum for creative development. However, heritage values ​​- both cultural and natural - are facing many risks: climate change, uncontrolled urbanization, the negative side of globalization, pressure from mass tourism, and in many cases, indifference from people themselves.

According to Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong, the protection and promotion of heritage values ​​is not only to preserve the values ​​of the past but also to build a sustainable foundation for the future. However, reality shows that not all heritages are effectively preserved, not all localities exploit and promote heritage values ​​in a harmonious and sustainable way. There have been places where rapid tourism development has led to overload, pollution, and erosion of the original values ​​of heritage. There are also places where local people - those who live among heritage - have not really been listened to, participated in, or benefited fairly from conservation and development policies. The international scientific conference “Protecting and promoting the values ​​of world heritage: a community-based approach for sustainable development” is a very correct, timely and practical orientation, at the same time contributing to the implementation of important contents of international conferences such as the Future Summit, commitments at the recent P4G Conference - where Vietnam demonstrated its responsible and active role in promoting multilateral cooperation for a green and sustainable future.

Thang Long Imperial Citadel - Hanoi is one of the world heritages that is always protected, promoted, and attracts a large number of people and tourists.

At the workshop, delegates shared valuable experiences from practical activities, analyzed and evaluated the overall work of preserving and promoting the values ​​of world cultural and natural heritage in Vietnam, the contribution of world heritage to local socio-economic development, especially community outreach. According to Chief Representative of UNESCO Office in Vietnam Jonathan Baker, local communities are not only beneficiaries of heritage conservation but also key stakeholders and guardians of these values. Putting the community at the center means allowing local people to participate in decision-making processes, organize cultural activities and benefit economically and socially from heritage-related initiatives. This ensures long-term sustainability, as well as local economic development.

Also at the workshop, Director of the World Heritage Center Lazare Eloundou Assomo answered a number of questions raised by delegates, provided professional advice on the protection and promotion of world heritage values ​​in a community-based approach, and shared some international experiences.

On this occasion, delegates also made recommendations and proposed many solutions for heritage management in the coming time such as: Continuing to improve the legal basis in heritage management; promoting and further raising awareness and the role and participation of the community because they are the owners of heritage; strengthening environmental protection, sustainable use of resources, sustainable tourism development; promoting international cooperation in preserving and promoting heritage values; training to improve the capacity of heritage management staff and applying information technology and digital transformation in the management, preservation and promotion of heritage values.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/van-hoa/dua-vao-cong-dong-de-bao-ve-va-phat-huy-gia-tri-di-san-the-gioi-tai-viet-nam-i769033/