Austrian Commission for UNESCO

At the invitation of the Austrian UNESCO Commission and the Netherlands Commission for UNESCO, 22 experts from 17 European countries gathered under the motto ‘Connect – Share – Learn’ to network at the operational level, exchange experiences and develop joint strategies in the context of implementing the World Heritage Convention.

The focus was on issues of cooperation, the involvement of local communities and the role of National Commissions in the international context of World Heritage.

Highlighting skills – connecting expertise

The first thematic session was devoted to the question of how existing competencies within the National Commissions can be better identified and utilised. Several delegates pointed out that many commissions have small staffs, which poses challenges for fulfilling the diverse tasks within the framework of the various UNESCO conventions and programmes – from World Heritage to geoparks to biosphere reserves.

It became clear that there is a common need for better coordination between authorities, national focal points, competent bodies and the National Commissions themselves in order to strengthen communication processes and make cooperation more efficient. National Commissions often act as the first point of contact for concerns raised by civil society and mediate between local actors and state institutions.

All participants agreed that cooperation across programme areas – for example, between World Heritage, ASPnet schools, biosphere reserves and geoparks – is of great importance in order to create synergies and pool resources in a meaningful way.

Involving local communities: best practices from Europe

Another focus was on the active involvement of local communities. Presentations from Czechia, Germany, Spain, Cyprus, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Slovakia and Ukraine showed the diversity of approaches.

The range of activities and measures undertaken by the various National Commissions speaks for itself: in addition to volunteer projects, action days and weeks, topic-specific publications and essay competitions, low-threshold formats such as quiz evenings and children's books were also presented, which are designed to activate a wide variety of target groups for the topic. Other topics included approaches to teaching materials, artistic projects at the interface between world heritage and contemporary art, and strategic partnerships that can open up new target groups and increase the radius of action of national commissions.

A common denominator of all contributions: UNESCO National Commissions create spaces for dialogue. They communicate concepts such as ‘Outstanding Universal Value’ and help to promote a common understanding of cultural and natural heritage and shared responsibility.

Working in complex networks

Another session was devoted to the challenges in multi-layered stakeholder landscapes. A large number of participants emphasised the need for strong communication between authorities, site managers, local communities and NGOs. The experiences from various countries where National Commissions for UNESCO actively create spaces for dialogue opened up perspectives on different approaches.

Overall, National Commissions see themselves in this context as a ‘safe space’ for exchange and moderation. Success factors include clear communication, continuous cooperation, the contribution of qualitative expertise and the early involvement of all relevant actors.

Overall, it became clear that national commissions can help to defuse conflicts and focus on UNESCO values such as conservation, sustainability and dialogue through continuous moderation and networking.

Cultural programme: experiencing World Heritage

In addition to the technical discussions, the meeting also provided an opportunity for personal exchange. An excursion to the Natural History Museum in Vienna opened up perspectives on natural and cultural-historical connections. The informal conclusion was a joint visit to the World Heritage Site of Schönbrunn Palace and Gardens, where experts on site discussed topics related to research, education and management.

The meeting clearly showed that, despite different national conditions, the European National Commissions are united by a common goal – strengthening UNESCO values and protecting cultural and natural heritage as a contribution to peace, dialogue and sustainable development.

The participants agreed to continue the informal network, expand digital exchange formats and consolidate cooperation structurally.

The aim is to pool expertise, build bridges between regions and deepen cooperation, including with partners in the Global South.

The focus is on how National Commissions can further strengthen their role as bridge builders between politics, experts and civil society. ‘Connect – Share – Learn’ thus remains not only the motto of the meeting, but also the guiding principle for future cooperation in the European World Heritage context.