UNESCO Moves Towards Debate Over How to Best Protect World Heritage Sites

On January 18th, 2018, the majority of delegates from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) prioritized discussions about the protection of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites over education for global sustainability. A line was clearly drawn between countries focused on national tourism and countries focused on international development.

Because international access to education creates a sustainable future, The People’s Republic of China recognizes education as UNESCO’s most pressing issue. In the coming days of the committee, discourse will shift to setting goals for education and China will lead with bold ideas. According to the delegate from The People’s Republic, China’s teacher training program enjoyed a 98 percent success rate. Hopefully, other countries will soon sustain similar progress in other areas of education: development of science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs; as well as, advancement of equality in education regardless of gender. According to the delegate from China, education means opportunity, and opportunity means a brighter future.

However, some argue that World Heritage Sites are an organic means of educating the masses. Visitors can absorb knowledge through culture not classrooms. Countries such as Italy, Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo believe the conservation of World Heritage Sites, including wildlife preserves and ancient cities, a more urgent issue than education because the sites encourage tourism and sustain natural ecosystems. However, countries debated the appropriate approach to conservation. Delegates clustered inside the vast UNESCO hall and drowned out the projector system with loud opinions and strategies. Some perceived pollution as the main opposition to flourishing national parks. Others worried about terrorist groups like ISIS, damaging historical sites. More brainstormed programs that use social media platforms to promote tourism. China recognizes these strategies and considers World Heritage Sites as essential symbols of culture, tradition, beauty and achievement.

After all, China boasts 36 Cultural World Heritage Sites, such as the Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, 16 Natural World Heritage Sites, including the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries and four Cultural and Natural World Heritage Sites, like Mount Huangshan. China is confident the delegates will reach a satisfying compromise over how to best serve these sites with appropriate allocation of the United Nations’ resources.