Notes on World Heritage Convention

Abstract: The natural and cultural heritage gains international value as declared by the convention of theUNESCO signed in Paris in 1972. Following the rapid destruction of world heritage sites, a number of world leadingorganizations emerged with the aim to protect heritage, and to provide logistic and operational technical support toassist members to preserve declared heritage sites. Among those are: ICBS (International Committee of the Blue Shield), and ICOMOS (International Council of Monuments & Sites), which have noted that heritage is not only threatened with destruction caused by conflicts or decay but also by changing social and economic conditions which aggravate the situation with more formidable phenomena of damage. More recently, the danger of globalization versus traditionalvalues became more notable. To counter the above threats, World heritage convention and charters were established.This paper reviews key ideas declared by leading world organizations concerned with heritage. It scrutinizes world convention and charters, facts, dates, key sites under threat, as well as strategic and operational procedures set out by these charters. It discusses key questions to do with the efficiency of signed convention against the practical problematic factors that hinder the process of protecting heritage in a changing world overwhelmed by global trends in difference to tradition and identity. It scrutinizes heritage as viable entity, and examines the extent heritage convention and charters are effective to decrease the rapid deterioration of heritage.