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UNESCO World Heritage Sites – The Euro-American domination
UNESCO World Heritage Sites – The Euro-American domination
In 1972, the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage established the World Heritage Sites project.
Burnaby,
British Columbia,
India
(prbd.net)
15/03/2011
Dr. Mahmood Poonja
Twice a year, UNESCO (United Nations Educational and Scientific Organisation) adds new properties into the fold of World Heritage Sites. Currently, the list totals 911 properties in some 151 countries of which 704 have been designated as “cultural”; 180 “natural” and 27 of “mixed value” importance. The last 8 properties incorporated into the World Heritage list were added in December of 2010.
In 1972, the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage established the World Heritage Sites project. The selection criteria concentrated on the excellence in creation of the properties, exhibiting human value spreading over time and cultures, aesthetics, natural beauty, recording of human history, etc.
The fact that this project was to identify and recognize properties of “world” importance both in terms of their location as well as being of shared value for all people, it was given that all parts of the world and all cultures would be adequately represented. However, in 1994 (22 years after the adoption of the 1972 Convention) it was felt that a special study be undertaken to see how representative the list was. The findings revealed that the World Heritage List lacked balance in the type of inscribed properties and in the geographical areas of the world that were represented. Among the 410 properties in 1994, 304 were cultural sites, 90 were natural and 16 mixed. More importantly, the vast majority of the sites were located in Europe. As such European historic towns, Christian and European cultural monuments and ‘elitist’ architecture (in relation to vernacular) were all over-represented whereas, other living cultures, and especially ‘traditional cultures’, had been ignored.
Properties getting UNESCO World Heritage Sites status get “prestigious” status getting funding for site maintenance as well as considerable international recognition. Hence these properties are of special interests to governments, as tourist arrivals to these sites surge considerably resulting in further financial benefits to both the countries and the local economy.
Since the 1994 study, some but certainly not enough measures have taken place. Africa now has 78 properties, the Arab States 66; Asia-Pacific 198; Europe and North America still dominate with 445 and Latin America 124 properties. Within Europe countries like Italy have 46 and France 35 sites recognized as against the cradle of civilization countries like Egypt with only 9; Jordan 3; Syria 5; Lebanon 5 and the Mesopotamian civilization of Iraq with only 3! As one can see the selection of properties is far from being a fair one and it is evident that some countries have taken advantage of this convention at the cost of not only others but at the cost of the loss to the whole purpose of the Convention.
Now with 187 states (UNO membership stands at 192) having rectified the UNESCO WHS Convention, it is hoped that correction is done soon.
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Dr. Mahmood Poonja, is a Canadian Tour operator organizing tours on cultural heritage to various countries. Poonja operates Western Canadian (BC based) Bestway Tours & Safaris (http://www.bestway.com) with a specialised division called http://www.worldheritagetours.com
About
Now with 187 states (UNO membership stands at 192) having rectified the UNESCO WHS Convention, it is hoped that correction is done soon.
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