U.S. Assistance to World Heritage Sites
A History of Strong U.S. Support for World Heritage and Conservation
The U.S. helped draft and was the first signatory of the World Heritage Convention in 1972. Several of the goals of the World Heritage mission encourage signatory parties to assist other member states in the preservation efforts of these important properties. These goals include:
- Help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training;
- Provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger; and
- Encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world’s cultural and natural heritage.
The US fully supports these ideals and believes that international cooperation and assistance in natural and/or cultural resource management to other members is vital to protecting these unique and outstanding properties.
Since the inception of the World Heritage Convention, the US National Park Service and other US Governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and other public-partner groups have worked to provide technical support to other States Parties.
During the last five years, these US groups have provided assistance to World Heritage sites through a variety of initiatives. Several examples include:
- 1. The US National Park Service (NPS) maintains bilateral relationships with counterpart agencies in several countries. Under the terms of these agreements, NPS personnel have provided in-country training and assistance to counterpart staff, including those at World Heritage sites.
- 2. The US Agency for International Development (USAID), the primary federal agency devoted to overseas assistance, funds a number of projects that assist World Heritage sties in developing countries.
- 3. Under the NPS "Sister Parks" program, several US World Heritage units have created "twinned" relationships with counterpart World Heritage sites in other countries. While the extent and nature of the contacts between sister-parks varies, in general, staff from each site maintain contact and exchange information regarding site management issues.
- 4. Through the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation, the US Department of State is helping countries preserve historic sites and other cultural treasures, including World Heritage Sites. Read an article about the Ambassador's Fund in the January/February 2005 issue of the online version of Archaeology Magazine.
Besides U.S. Government assistance, US non-governmental organizations are also active in assisting World Heritage Sites around the world. These organizations include the Getty Conservation Institute, The Nature Conservancy, the Walt Disney Conservation Fund, WWF, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the World Monuments Fund among others.
Other partners include:
U.S. Government Agencies and Programs
Non-governmental Organizations and Public-Private partnerships
International and Multi-lateral Organizations
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For more information on US Government assistance to World Heritage Sites, please click here.
