UNESCO World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024 to be held in India; application process is open

Applications are currently being accepted for the UNESCO World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024, slated to be held in India. This fully funded forum will convene in New Delhi and span a duration of ten days. Organised by the Archaeological Survey of India under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, the event, titled "World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth," will be hosted at the Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Scheduled from July 14 to July 23, 2024, this international forum offers an excellent networking platform for young professionals in the field.


The UNESCO World Heritage Forum is an extraordinary opportunity to delve deep into the rich world of Indian cultures. The central aim of the UNESCO World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024 is to enrich and expand the knowledge base of young professionals in the realm of protecting, conserving, and advancing natural and cultural World Heritage sites. Participants will get the opportunity to engage in vibrant discussions, and get an in-depth understanding of global sustainable development principles and the significance of world heritage. Also, IELTS/TOEFL is not required in order to be a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Forum.


The fully funded forum aims to enrich the skills and understanding of young professionals in the preservation and promotion of our natural and cultural World Heritage. As influential figures within their local communities, they will collaboratively explore avenues to implement the World Heritage Convention effectively in the modern era. In addition to delving into the intricacies of sustainable development and world heritage on a global scale, participants will also immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of Indian heritage and its management practices. Culminating the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, these young professionals will present their Declaration to the 46th session of the International World Heritage Committee.


The UNESCO International Forum will meticulously select a total of 50 participants to take part in its upcoming edition. This distinguished group will comprise 30 young [professionals hailing from diverse corners of the globe, while an additional 20 participants will be chosen from within India, marking a concerted effort to ensure a balanced representation of global perspectives and local insights at the UNESCO World Heritage Professionals Forum 2024. This inclusive approach aims to foster cross-cultural exchange and collaboration among a diverse array of participants, enriching the discourse and outcomes of the forum.

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All related expenses like travel, local transportation, accommodation and meals will be covered by the host country. The last date for the application process is April 30, 2024. Please keep in mind, the applicants must be between the ages of 23 and 32 years. Additionally, applicants must possess expertise in at least one of the specified fields, which include World Heritage, conservation, archaeology, architecture, restoration, urban planning and regeneration, tourism, art history, climate change, or digital technology. It is imperative that candidates are available for the entire duration of the forum. Proficiency in English is essential, as the proceedings of this UNESCO forum will be conducted exclusively in English.

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Documents required:

To apply for the UNESCO Forum, applicants are required to submit several documents. These include a completed application form, providing comprehensive education and background information. Additionally, candidates must include a detailed curriculum vitae (CV) outlining their academic and professional experiences. Alongside these documents, applicants are asked to provide a passport-size photo for identification purposes.