Rhodes Events

The 7th International Symposium of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) came yesterday to an end. It had lasted from September 24-26. The Symposium was held under the auspices of UNESCO with the participation of the Greek Foreign Ministry, the Cultural Olympiad and the Mayor of Rhodes Municipality.

UNESCO'S Newsletter also reported on the Youth Forum that was held alongside the Rhodes Symposium in the context of UNESCO World Heritage in Young Hands Project, attended by 19 people between the ages of 18 and 20. UNESCO Director, Koichiro Matsuura, in her message read by Goodwill Ambassador Marianna Vardinoyianni, emphasized the need on the part of today's youth to take the lead in fostering the values of "mutual respect and collective conscience."

There were lively exchanges and discussions between the young participants at the Youth Forum who shared their activities to protect the world's heritage. After their deliberations, the Youth Forum submitted to the panelists of the OWHC their conclusions and recommendations, such as the regular interaction between the youth and decision-makers and the establishment of special funds in municipalities' budgets for the heritage activities of young people.