This special day offers an opportunity to raise public�s awareness concerning the diversity of the world�s heritage and the efforts that are required to protect and conserve it, as well as to draw attention to its vulnerability.

The International Day for Monuments and Sites (World Heirtage Day) This theme focuses on strengthening, safeguarding, and building resilience for heritage sites facing destruction from disasters and conflicts. Theme: Emergency Response for Living Heritage in contexts of Conflicts and Disasters Focus: Continues the 2025 focus on preparedness by shifting to active emergency response and protection of cultural/natural landmarks. Context: Addresses the urgent need to protect both tangible and intangible heritage from escalating risks. This theme is set by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to promote the protection of global heritage. - ICOMOS Some recent World Heritage Day themes include: 2024: Discover and experience diversity 2023: Heritage Changes 2022: Heritage and Climate 2021: Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures 2020: Shared Cultures, Shared Heritage, Shared Responsibility 2019: Rural Landscapes 2018: Heritage for Generations 2017: Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism 2016: Heritage of Sports 2014: The Heritage of Commemoration 2013: Heritage of Education 2012: Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention 2011: The Cultural Heritage of Water 2011: The Cultural Heritage of Water 2010: Agricultural Heritage 2009: Heritage and Science 2008: Religious heritage and sacred places 2007: Cultural landscapes and monuments of nature 2006: Industrial Heritage 2005: 40th Anniversary of ICOMOS 2004: Earthen Architecture and Heritage 2003: Underwater Cultural Heritage 2002: 20th Century Heritage 2001: Save our historic villages

Below are a number of general suggestions* for nationally organized activities to mark this event:

• Visits to monuments and sites, and restoration works, possibly with free admission;
• Articles in newspapers and magazines, as well as television and radio broadcasts;
• Hanging banners in town squares or principal traffic arteries calling attention to the day and the preservation of cultural heritage;
• Inviting local and foreign experts and personalities for conferences and interviews;
• Organizing discussions in cultural-centers, city halls, and other public spaces.
• Exhibitions (photos, paintings, etc)
• Publication of books, post-cards, stamps, posters
• Awarding prizes to organizations or persons who have made an outstanding contribution to the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage or produced an excellent publication on the subject.
• Inaugurate a recently restored monument
• Special awareness raising activities amongst school children and youth
• Promotion of "twinning" opportunities, defining areas for co-operation; exchange of speakers; organization of meetings and seminars, or the editing of joint publications.

• Urban Heritage and Conservation Programme
• The Sustainable Tourism Gateway

• World Heritage Day (officially known as the "International Day for Monuments and Sites")
• World Heritage Convention 40th Anniversary
• ICOMOS: International Council on Monuments and Sites
• UNESCO: UN Economic, Social and Cultural Organization