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World Heritage:

linking culturaland biological

diversity

Dr. Mechtild RsslerUNESCO World Heritage Centre

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World Heritage Convention

Defines cultural and

natural heritageincluding sites:

works of man or the

combined works of

nature and man

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Evolution of a concept

1972 Convention withdefinition of natural

/cultural heritage;

1992 integration of

cultural landscapes;

World Heritage Convention

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2004 New Operational Guidelines

Merging ofthe cultural

and

naturalheritage

criteria

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World Heritage Convention and others

1992 new Convention on

biological diversity

2003 new Convention on

intangible Heritage

Preparation of a new

instrument on culturaldiversity..

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World Heritage Convention

outstanding interaction between peopleand their environment

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World Heritage Convention

Natural sacred sites recognized for theirpowerful spiritual values; living cultural

landscapes

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World Heritage Convention

Cultural sacred sites: taking intoaccount people and their environment;

Sacred and social dimensions;

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World Heritage Convention

Recognition of the heritage of mobilepeople; nomadism

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World Heritage Convention

Development of new concepts andlinkages between existing sites

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World Heritage Convention case studies

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World Heritage Convention

New dimensions of World Heritage- serial sites in a thematic framework

(Ruta Inca, Rift Valley, Alpine Arc,Pacific Islands)

- exploring underrepresented

themes, including scientific discoveries,routes, shared heritage among nations

etc. such as Arctic/Polar Heritage

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World Heritage Convention

Unmatched opportunities:Recognition of traditional

protection andmanagement systems for

cultural landscapes in

1992 and naturalproperties in 1998

East Rennell, Solomon Islands

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World Heritage Convention

Complexity ofinteraction between

people and nature;Recognition of cultural

diversity andbiodiversity links;

Benefits for peopleliving in and around

the sites;

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New approaches.

Biodiversity should be appreciated in terms ofhuman diversity, since different cultures and

people confront and perceive biodiversity indifferent ways. This is due to their distinct

heritage and experiences, which are translated

into knowledge systems, cultural expressions andlanguage, and which enrich and transform the

environment, landscapes and especiallybiodiversity. (Juan Mayr, Cultural Diversity

and the Environment, Report 2003)

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Agricultural Heritage Systems, evolved overmillennia, are a global inheritance that should be

preserved and allowed to evolve

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FAO launched anew partnership

programme: calledConservation and

Sustainable

Management ofGlobally Important

IngeniousAgricultural

Heritage systems -

GIAHS

Current project sites proposals received by FAO

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Current project sites proposals received by FAO

Asia and Pacific: Traditional upland systems, Yunnan, China

Qanat (Karez, or Foggara) irrigation systems and home gardens, Iran

Rice terraces and shifting cultivation, Ifugao, Philippines

Latin America: Transect of the Inka Road; terraces; qochas; waru-waru; Lake Titicaca

Secondary centre of origin of potato, Chiloe Island, Chili Terra Preta system in Brazil

Milpa System, Yucatan, Mexico

Africa:

Tapade cultivation system Fouta Djallon Highland, Guinea Traditional oases agro-ecosystems of Tunisia (forthcoming)

Europe: Traditional agro-ecosystems in the Carpathian region of Slovakia

Traditional Reindeer herding, Arctic region

www fao org/landandwater/giahs

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www.fao.org/landandwater/giahs

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Conclusions and Recommendations :

guidelines and case studies of

excellence on conservation practiceswith nature/culture interactions;

enhancing new concepts in globalheritage conservation;

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Conclusions and Recommendations :

Supporting effective managementand legal/traditional protection

Mechanisms Awareness of the interaction people-

environment Re-interpretation of

existing World

Heritage

properties

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Exploring links to other Conventions

CBD Memorandum of Understanding

signed in 2004

Ramsar Convention (cultural values of

wetlands)

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Exploring links with other Programmes

. FAO - Globally Important Ingenious

Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)project, jointly with ICCROM and IUCN

UNEP-UNESCO project linking culturaland biological diversity

Aichi World Expo in 2005 The Wisdom ofNature: Scientific Symposium organized by

UNESCO

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Where do we go from here?

Involvement of ICOMOS/IUCN?

Support from donors in exploring thisinteraction and in providing support

for the safeguarding of these sites.

Scientific support for specific studies

needed (e.g. dynamic conservationapproaches, world crops approach see

Fowler 2003)

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Thank you very much!