Heritage in danger

UNESCO have a world heritage in danger list. It is very important that people are aware of this, our heritage needs to be preserved not destroyed. The heritage we are trying so hard to protect can be destroyed in a variety of ways. Politics have a huge play on the role of heritage nationally, and internationally and we need to make sure that there is an overall agreement between the parties and countries. As UNESCO are the overall protectors for these world heritage sites, I believe they need to be doing more to protect them and force the countries they are located in to take more consideration for them.

UNESCO should not let any sites become dangered, they should intervene with the countries government and take control, as the government will have signed treaties for the site to be designated, so they must abide with the terms and conditions on it. I f they do not then UNESCO should take control, rather than waiting around and letting the site be put on the world heritage in danger list!

Other reasons a site may be put on the heritage in danger list may be due to econmical issues. If a country can not pay for the conservation of a site it must fall internationally, so the site does not become destroyed. Socially a site may suffer if people can not gain access to it or if there is no interpretation available or interaction at the site, people will begin to loose the identity they will associate with this site so it can become damaged, it is important for UNESCO not to allow this to happen!

As the gap is widening between the western and the third world, there is becoming an obvious difference with the use of technology. Technology can develop or diminish a site, and technology is ever changing, so it is important that all sites remain up to date, this is also very costly. UNESCO are trying to develop a global strategy, to make sure that the world heritage listed sites are more geographically dispersed, but if there is such an obvious gap between the countries in the world then the heritage at the sites is bound to be in danger, before they even get listed.

The environment is now concerning many. The environment is impacting on heritage at an uncontrolled rate, worldwide. It is a global issue with floods, fires, climate change. Heritage can not change with the environment, it reacts to it and becomes damaged or destroyed.

The heritage found globally, whether it is lited by UNESCO or not needs to be protected before it becomes in danger, it is too late once it is known to be in danger.