Capital hosts World Heritage Young Professionals Forum

25 June 2019 09:50 (UTC+04:00)

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By Mirsaid Ibrahimzade

The World Heritage Young Professionals Forum opened at Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction on June 24, Trend reported.

Addressing the event, Professor Gulchohra Mammadova, rector of the university, emphasized the importance of the forum and said that it allows presenting Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage to the world.

Mammadova noted that occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia brought damage to the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. She said that during the forum they will have opportunity to inform representatives of 30 countries about that.

Then, speaking about the importance of the forum for the world, Abulfas Garayev, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture, stressed that the forum creates opportunity for the youth to gain new experience, and along with discussion of important issues, exchange of views and experience, the forum will make contribution to development of new ideas.

The participants of the forum watched Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center Mechtild Rossler’s video message. Stressing the importance of the forum, Rossler expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for hosting the event at a high level.

Within the framework of the forum, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the fields of education, innovation, science, advanced training and employment was signed by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and the Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction.

It is noteworthy that the first four days of the forum will be held at the University of Architecture and Construction, Administration of Icherisheher State Historical-Architectural Reserve, Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve and in historic Gabala-Ismailli-Lahij region.

Several presentations will be demonstrated with the participation of local and foreign experts. In conclusion, the forum participants will present their declaration at the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee to be held in Baku on June 30 - July 10.

World Heritage Youth Forum is among the flagship activities of the World Heritage Education Program, serving as a platform for bringing young professionals and heritage experts together to foster intercultural learning and exchange, to debate about common concerns and to discover new roles for themselves in heritage conservation.

The forum highlights the key opportunities and challenges of heritage management in the 21st century, by drawing from the local contexts of the World Heritage sites in Baku and expanding them to a global level.

Mirsaid Ibrahimzade is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @MirsaidIbrahim1