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Organization of World Heritage Cities

April 15, 2023

The Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization of 250 cities in which sites of the UNESCO World Heritage list are located. It was founded in 1993 in Fez, Morocco, during the second International Symposium of World Heritage Cities. The headquarters of the OWHC are located in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Altogether the 250 member cities of the OWHC have a population of more than 130 million.

History

During the first International Symposium of World Heritage Cities in Québec City in 1991, the participating 41 cities adopted the Québec City Declaration. This declaration states the desire to build a network of World Heritage Cities.

At the second International Symposium of World Heritage Cities in Fez, Morocco, the OWHC was founded in 1993. 56 participating cities decided on the mission, goals and powers of the organisation. At the Founding General Assembly, the member cities elected the first Board of Directors and Secretary General.

Since the first General Assembly, the member cities have been meeting every two years. Listed below are the years, locations and topics of the previous General Assemblies.

  • 1995 Bergen (Norway): Communication between World Heritage Cities
  • 1997 Evora (Portugal): Tourism and World Heritage – Challenges and Opportunities
  • 1999 Santago de Compostela (Spain): Innovation in the Management of World Heritage Cities
  • 2001 Puebla (Mexico): Prevention and Protection Measures for World Heritage Cities in Case of Disaster
  • 2003 Rhodes (Greece)
  • 2005 Cusco (Peru): Heritage of Humanity, Heritage with Humanity
  • 2007 Kazan (Russian Federation): Heritage and Economics
  • 2009 Quito (Ecuador): The revitalization of historic centres: how to involve all social actors?
  • 2011 Sintra (Portugal): World Heritage Cities and Climate Change
  • 2013 Oaxaca (Mexico): Heritage Cities, Sustainable Cities
  • 2015 Arequipa (Peru): World Heritage Cities, Resilent Cities
  • 2017 Ahmedabad (India): World Heritage cities
  • 2017 Asmara (Eritrea): World Heritage cities, Africa's Modernest city

Organization

Any city may become a member of the OWHC if it possesses the following two characteristics. Firstly the city has to be the location of a living urban fabric of historic or contemporary interest. Its outstanding universal value has been recognized by the UNESCO and therefore has been registered in the World Heritage List. Secondly the city has to adhere to the values of the OWHC.

The General Assembly is the paramount authority of the OWHC. In it the member cities are represented by their mayor. To be able to take part in the General Assembly and have the right to vote the city has to be a member in good standing (pay the annual membership fee). The General Assembly meets every two years. Special Assemblies may be called by members or the Board of Directors.

At the General Assembly the mayors discuss issues concerning the mission and objectives of the OWHC and formulate relevant recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Assembly guides the activities of the Organization, studies and approves the Organization's work program and controls the financial policy of the Organization.

The Board of Directors consists of eight mayors of members in good standing. It is elected by the General Assembly for two years. Directors may be elected two more times and therefore be directors for a maximum of six consecutive years. The Board of Directors meets at least once a year.

Among its duties are the implementation of the requests formulated and the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the planning of the organizations activities according to set up priorities. Furthermore, the Board of Directors examines the financial reports, authorizes the annual budget plan, prepares budget estimates and proposes their adoption to the general assembly. The Board of Directors also draws up the organization chart, the recruiting criteria and standards for the personnel of the General Secretariat and performs any other duty that could be assigned to it by the General Assembly. It is empowered to take all the measures required for the administration of the Organization and the attainment of its objectives.

The Board of Directors elects the President of the OWHC from among themselves. He is the chief executive officer of the OWHC and is tasked with the supervision, administration and management of the affairs of the Organization. He represents the OWHC at the national and international levels and binds the Organization in official acts.

The General Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General who is appointed by the General Assembly for a four-year term. He oversees the execution of mandates by the members, the day-to-day administration and personnel management and hiring. He also coordinates the activities of the OWHC, prepares the budget and the financial reports and ensures that the decisions of the Board of Directors and those of the members taken at the General Assembly are carried out.

The General Secretariat is supported in its duties by seven Regional Secretariats. They are groupings of cities that share cultural, linguistic or geographical affinities and/or have the same concerns and needs. Every member city of the OWHC is allowed to be part of one or more regions. The members of one region have to choose a city from among themselves as domicile for the Regional Secretariat, choose a Regional Coordinator and meet at least once a year. They serve as a link between the member cities of their particular region and the General Secretariat.

The seven Regional Secretariats are

  • Regensburg (Germany) for the North-West European Region
  • Budapest (Hungary) for the Central and Eastern European Region
  • Córdoba (Spain) for the South-European and Mediterranean Region
  • Valparaiso (Chile) for the Latinamerican and Caribbean Region
  • Kazan (Russian Federation) for the Euro-Asian Region
  • Tunis (Tunisia) for Africa and the Middle East
  • Gyeongju (South Korea) for the Asia-Pacific Region

To support the General Secretariat the Regional Secretariats assist in producing documents intended for members, data collection and the organization of relevant events. They aim to make it possible for each member to participate more extensively in the activities of the Organization, to foster communication and the exchange of information amongst themselves and to promote the development of the Organization and its presence and influence. To accomplish those aims the Regional Secretariats organize activities intended to promote the Organization's values and objectives.

The OWHC has five official languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. Of those English, French and Spanish are working languages.

Goals

During the founding of the OWHC in 1993 the member cities defined the goals and mission the Organization should have in the future. At the fourth General Assembly in Evora (Portugal) in 1997 the OWHC confirmed the Organization's association with the UNESCO and their joint efforts regarding World Heritage Cities in the UNESCO-OWHC agreement.

The OWHC aims for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention (Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage adopted by the UNESCO in 1972). It encourages cooperation and exchange of information and expertise among its member cities on both regional and international levels. The OWHC works in close collaboration with other organizations pursuing similar goals while promoting action likely to support the efforts of cities located in developing countries. It assists members to adapt and improve their management methods in relation to the specific requirements of having a site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Moreover, the organization ensures better links between research undertaken by specialists and the needs of the local managements. In addition the Organization intends to help develop a sense of solidarity among its member cities and to sensitize the populations to heritage values and their protection.

Tasks and projects

The OWHC organizes meetings on international and regional levels. In addition to the biennial General Assemblies there are World Congresses, conferences, seminars and workshops. All those meetings deal with the challenges in the realm of management and strategies pertaining to the preservation and development of historic cities. To accomplish its goals the OWHC additionally offers various activities, programs and projects which aim to promote and support the maintenance, recognition and development of world heritage.

Current projects include Youth on the Trail of World Heritage, City2City, The Jean-Paul-L’Allier Prize for Heritage, an International Video Production Competition, the Solidarity day of World Heritage Cities, Mayors&Heritage and Case Studies.

Member cities

Africa

Arab states

Asia and the Pacific

Europe

Americas

See also

References

  1. http://www.ovpm.org/

Links

  • Cities

April 15, 2023
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This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Organization of World Heritage Cities news newspapers books scholar JSTOR September 2015 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Organization of World Heritage Cities OWHC is an international non profit non governmental organization of 250 cities in which sites of the UNESCO World Heritage list are located It was founded in 1993 in Fez Morocco during the second International Symposium of World Heritage Cities The headquarters of the OWHC are located in Quebec City Quebec Canada Altogether the 250 member cities of the OWHC have a population of more than 130 million Contents 1 History 2 Organization 3 Goals 4 Tasks and projects 5 Member cities 5 1 Africa 5 2 Arab states 5 3 Asia and the Pacific 5 4 Europe 5 5 Americas 6 See also 7 References 8 LinksHistory EditDuring the first International Symposium of World Heritage Cities in Quebec City in 1991 the participating 41 cities adopted the Quebec City Declaration This declaration states the desire to build a network of World Heritage Cities At the second International Symposium of World Heritage Cities in Fez Morocco the OWHC was founded in 1993 56 participating cities decided on the mission goals and powers of the organisation At the Founding General Assembly the member cities elected the first Board of Directors and Secretary General Since the first General Assembly the member cities have been meeting every two years Listed below are the years locations and topics of the previous General Assemblies 1995 Bergen Norway Communication between World Heritage Cities 1997 Evora Portugal Tourism and World Heritage Challenges and Opportunities 1999 Santago de Compostela Spain Innovation in the Management of World Heritage Cities 2001 Puebla Mexico Prevention and Protection Measures for World Heritage Cities in Case of Disaster 2003 Rhodes Greece 2005 Cusco Peru Heritage of Humanity Heritage with Humanity 2007 Kazan Russian Federation Heritage and Economics 2009 Quito Ecuador The revitalization of historic centres how to involve all social actors 2011 Sintra Portugal World Heritage Cities and Climate Change 2013 Oaxaca Mexico Heritage Cities Sustainable Cities 2015 Arequipa Peru World Heritage Cities Resilent Cities 2017 Ahmedabad India World Heritage cities 2017 Asmara Eritrea World Heritage cities Africa s Modernest cityOrganization EditAny city may become a member of the OWHC if it possesses the following two characteristics Firstly the city has to be the location of a living urban fabric of historic or contemporary interest Its outstanding universal value has been recognized by the UNESCO and therefore has been registered in the World Heritage List Secondly the city has to adhere to the values of the OWHC The General Assembly is the paramount authority of the OWHC In it the member cities are represented by their mayor To be able to take part in the General Assembly and have the right to vote the city has to be a member in good standing pay the annual membership fee The General Assembly meets every two years Special Assemblies may be called by members or the Board of Directors At the General Assembly the mayors discuss issues concerning the mission and objectives of the OWHC and formulate relevant recommendations to the Board of Directors The Assembly guides the activities of the Organization studies and approves the Organization s work program and controls the financial policy of the Organization The Board of Directors consists of eight mayors of members in good standing It is elected by the General Assembly for two years Directors may be elected two more times and therefore be directors for a maximum of six consecutive years The Board of Directors meets at least once a year Among its duties are the implementation of the requests formulated and the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the planning of the organizations activities according to set up priorities Furthermore the Board of Directors examines the financial reports authorizes the annual budget plan prepares budget estimates and proposes their adoption to the general assembly The Board of Directors also draws up the organization chart the recruiting criteria and standards for the personnel of the General Secretariat and performs any other duty that could be assigned to it by the General Assembly It is empowered to take all the measures required for the administration of the Organization and the attainment of its objectives The Board of Directors elects the President of the OWHC from among themselves He is the chief executive officer of the OWHC and is tasked with the supervision administration and management of the affairs of the Organization He represents the OWHC at the national and international levels and binds the Organization in official acts The General Secretariat is headed by the Secretary General who is appointed by the General Assembly for a four year term He oversees the execution of mandates by the members the day to day administration and personnel management and hiring He also coordinates the activities of the OWHC prepares the budget and the financial reports and ensures that the decisions of the Board of Directors and those of the members taken at the General Assembly are carried out The General Secretariat is supported in its duties by seven Regional Secretariats They are groupings of cities that share cultural linguistic or geographical affinities and or have the same concerns and needs Every member city of the OWHC is allowed to be part of one or more regions The members of one region have to choose a city from among themselves as domicile for the Regional Secretariat choose a Regional Coordinator and meet at least once a year They serve as a link between the member cities of their particular region and the General Secretariat The seven Regional Secretariats are Regensburg Germany for the North West European Region Budapest Hungary for the Central and Eastern European Region Cordoba Spain for the South European and Mediterranean Region Valparaiso Chile for the Latinamerican and Caribbean Region Kazan Russian Federation for the Euro Asian Region Tunis Tunisia for Africa and the Middle East Gyeongju South Korea for the Asia Pacific RegionTo support the General Secretariat the Regional Secretariats assist in producing documents intended for members data collection and the organization of relevant events They aim to make it possible for each member to participate more extensively in the activities of the Organization to foster communication and the exchange of information amongst themselves and to promote the development of the Organization and its presence and influence To accomplish those aims the Regional Secretariats organize activities intended to promote the Organization s values and objectives The OWHC has five official languages English French Spanish Portuguese and Arabic Of those English French and Spanish are working languages Goals EditDuring the founding of the OWHC in 1993 the member cities defined the goals and mission the Organization should have in the future At the fourth General Assembly in Evora Portugal in 1997 the OWHC confirmed the Organization s association with the UNESCO and their joint efforts regarding World Heritage Cities in the UNESCO OWHC agreement The OWHC aims for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage adopted by the UNESCO in 1972 It encourages cooperation and exchange of information and expertise among its member cities on both regional and international levels The OWHC works in close collaboration with other organizations pursuing similar goals while promoting action likely to support the efforts of cities located in developing countries It assists members to adapt and improve their management methods in relation to the specific requirements of having a site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List Moreover the organization ensures better links between research undertaken by specialists and the needs of the local managements In addition the Organization intends to help develop a sense of solidarity among its member cities and to sensitize the populations to heritage values and their protection Tasks and projects EditThe OWHC organizes meetings on international and regional levels In addition to the biennial General Assemblies there are World Congresses conferences seminars and workshops All those meetings deal with the challenges in the realm of management and strategies pertaining to the preservation and development of historic cities To accomplish its goals the OWHC additionally offers various activities programs and projects which aim to promote and support the maintenance recognition and development of world heritage Current projects include Youth on the Trail of World Heritage City2City The Jean Paul L Allier Prize for Heritage an International Video Production Competition the Solidarity day of World Heritage Cities Mayors amp Heritage and Case Studies Member cities EditAfrica Edit Agadez Niger Cidade Velha Cape Verde Dakar Senegal Grand Bassam Cote d Ivoire Harar Jugol Ethiopia Island of Mozambique Mozambique Kashusha Democratic Republic of the Congo Lamu Kenya Mombasa Kenya Saint Louis Senegal Timbuktu Mali Zanzibar Tanzania Arab states Edit Aleppo Syria Algiers Algeria Cairo Egypt Damascus Syria Erbil Iraq Essaouira Morocco Fez Morocco Ghadames Libya Ghardaia Algeria Jeddah Saudi Arabia Kairouan Tunisia Marrakesh Morocco Meknes Morocco Muharraq Bahrain Rabat Morocco Sana a Yemen Shibam Yemen Sousse Tunisia Tetouan Morocco Tunis Tunisia Zabid Yemen Asia and the Pacific Edit Ahmedabad India Akko Israel Aktau Kazakhstan observer Amer India Andong South Korea Anuradhapura Sri Lanka Bam Iran Bergama Turkey Bhaktapur Nepal Boeun South Korea Bursa Turkey Buyeo County South Korea Chengde China Denpasar Indonesia Diyarbakir Turkey Dujiangyan China Galle Sri Lanka George Town Malaysia Gianyar Indonesia Gochang County South Korea Gongju South Korea Goris City Armenia observer Gwangju South Korea Gyeongju South Korea Haenam South Korea Hapcheon County South Korea Hoi An Vietnam Hue Vietnam Hwasun County South Korea Icherisheher Azerbaijan Istanbul Turkey Iksan South Korea Jerusalem Israel Jongno Gu South Korea Kandy Sri Lanka Karangasem Indonesia observer Kathmandu Nepal Khiva Uzbekistan Konya Turkey Kyoto Japan Lalitpur Patan Nepal Levuka Fiji Lijiang China Luang Prabang Laos Macao China Melaka Malaysia Miagao Philippines Nara Japan Pyay Myanmar observer Safranbolu Turkey Selcuk Turkey Seongbuk South Korea Singapore Singapore Surakarta Indonesia observer Suwon South Korea Suzhou China Tel Aviv Yafo Israel Turkistan Kazakhstan Vigan Philippines Yangsan South Korea Yazd Iran Yeongju South Korea Yerevan Armenia observer Europe Edit Alcala de Henares Spain Amsterdam Netherlands Angra do Heroismo Portugal Aranjuez Spain Augsburg Germany Avila Spain Baeza Spain Bamberg Germany Banska Stiavnica Slovakia Bardejov Slovakia Bath United Kingdom Beemster Netherlands Bergen Norway Berlin Germany Bern Switzerland Bernau Germany Biertan Romania Bolgar Russia Bordeaux France Brugge Belgium Brussels Belgium Budapest Hungary Caceres Spain Carcassonne France Cesky Krumlov Czech Republic Chora of Patmos Greece Coimbra Portugal Cordoba Spain Cuenca Spain Derbent Russia Dessau Germany Dubrovnik Croatia Edinburgh United Kingdom Ejmiatsin Armenia Elvas Portugal Evora Portugal Fontainebleau France Granada Spain Graz Austria Guimaraes Portugal Hamburg Germany Ibiza Spain Istanbul Turkey Karlskrona Sweden Kazan Russia Kolding Denmark Kotor Montenegro Krakow Poland Kutna Hora Czech Republic L viv Ukraine Le Havre France Lubeck Germany Luxembourg Luxembourg Lyon France Merida Spain Modena Italy Mont Saint Michel France Moscow Russia Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina Nancy France Naumburg Germany Nessebar Bulgaria Notodden Norway Novgorod Russia Ohrid Macedonia Oporto Portugal Oviedo Spain Padula Italy Palazzolo Acreide Italy Paris France Potsdam Germany Prague Czech Republic Provins France Quedlinburg Germany Rauma Finland Regensburg Germany Rhodes Greece Riga Latvia Roros Norway Rotterdam Netherlands Saint Petersburg Russia Salamanca Spain Salzburg Austria San Cristobal de La Laguna Spain San Gimignano Italy Santiago de Compostela Spain Segovia Spain Sighisoara Romania Sintra Portugal Split Croatia Stockholm Sweden Stralsund Germany Strasbourg France Suzdal Russia Tallinn Estonia Tarragona Spain Telc Czech Republic Telford United Kingdom Tinn Norway Toledo Spain Torun Poland Trebic Czech Republic Trogir Croatia Ubeda Spain Urbino Italy Valletta Malta Vatican City Holy See Vienna Austria Vilnius Lithuania Vinje Norway Visby Sweden Warsaw Poland Wismar Germany Yaroslavl Russia Zamosc Poland Americas Edit Arequipa Peru Belo Horizonte Brazil Brasilia Brazil Bridgetown Barbados Camaguey Cuba Campeche Mexico Cartagena Colombia Colonia del Sacramento Uruguay Coro Venezuela Cuenca Ecuador Cuernavaca Mexico Cuzco Peru Diamantina Brazil Fray Bentos Uruguay Guadalajara Mexico Guanajuato Mexico Havana Cuba Lima Peru Lunenburg Canada Mexico City Mexico Morelia Mexico Oaxaca Mexico Olinda Brazil Ouro Preto Brazil Panama Panama Philadelphia United States Potosi Bolivia Puebla Mexico Quebec Canada Queretaro Mexico Quito Ecuador Rimac Peru Rio de Janeiro Brazil Salvador de Bahia Brazil San Antonio United States San Miguel de Allende Mexico San Pablo Villa de Mitla Mexico Santa Cruz de Mompox Colombia Sao Luis Brazil St George s Bermuda Sucre Bolivia Tlacotalpan Mexico Trinidad Cuba Trujillo Peru observer Valparaiso Chile Willemstad Curacao Xochimilco Mexico Zacatecas Mexico See also EditList of micro regional organizationsReferences Edithttp www ovpm org https web archive org web 20160305044101 http www ovpm org sites ovpm files documents general by laws pdfLinks EditCities Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Organization of World Heritage Cities amp oldid 1149832322, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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