International Affairs

World Heritage requires international understanding and cooperation

International
Affairs

The World Heritage Convention is primarily a tool for fostering understanding among nations and promoting international cooperation. With this in mind, Bamberg is actively involved in numerous international networks. The aim of these exchanges is to learn about the challenges and opportunities associated with the World Heritage designation, to establish contacts, and to share its own expertise with others.

ICOMOS

The acronym ICOMOS stands for “International Council on Monuments and Sites.” This non-governmental organization is headquartered in Paris, France, and performs advisory functions in accordance with the 1972 World Heritage Convention. To this end, there are national committees in more than 120 countries (including Germany) and 25 international scientific committees. ICOMOS is committed to the protection and preservation of monuments and historic World Heritage sites worldwide.

ICCROM

ICCROM is an intergovernmental organization based in Rome that was founded in 1956 under the auspices of UNESCO. Its mission is to promote the protection and conservation of cultural heritage worldwide and to provide technical support to member states in this endeavor.

In the context of UNESCO World Heritage, ICCROM plays an important advisory role. As an official advisory body, the organization supports states in the conservation and management of World Heritage sites, for example through expertise, training programs, and international cooperation.

Its core tasks include research, training of specialists, knowledge transfer, and the promotion of international exchange in the field of heritage conservation and restoration. In this way, ICCROM makes a significant contribution to the long-term preservation of cultural heritage and to strengthening sustainable development processes worldwide.

OWHC

The Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) was founded on September 8, 1993, in Fez, Morocco. In addition to implementing the “Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage” (UNESCO World Heritage Convention), the network’s goals include promoting cooperation among World Heritage Cities, particularly the exchange of information and expertise.

Currently, 324 cities from five continents are members of the OWHC. The network is headquartered in Quebec, Canada.

Further information about the OWHC is available online at www.ovpm.org.

Professional exchange and international cooperation

Ongoing professional exchange at the national and international levels is a central component of the work of the Bamberg World Heritage Center. Through participation in conferences, workshops, training courses, and international professional events, experiences are shared, new ideas are gained, and networks are strengthened. This networking helps to jointly address current challenges in World Heritage management—particularly in the context of sustainability, climate change, and urban development—and to further develop innovative solutions.

International Training Course in Urbino, Italy

In September 2025, the Bamberg World Heritage Center participated in the international training course “Integrated Territorial & Urban Conservation (ITUC): Managing Urban Heritage for Sustainable Development.” At the invitation of ICCROM—one of the three advisory bodies to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee—Dr. Simona von Eyb presented approaches to World Heritage management in Bamberg, which were once again recognized as a best-practice example. The insights gained through exchanges with international experts will be incorporated into the update of the management plan, particularly in the areas of sustainability, climate protection, and integrated urban planning.

“World Heritage & Sustainability” Workshop in Amsterdam, Netherlands

In September 2025, the Bamberg World Heritage Center participated in the international workshop “World Heritage and Sustainability” at the invitation of the City of Amsterdam. World Heritage managers from numerous UNESCO World Heritage cities exchanged views on the challenges of reconciling sustainable urban development with the protection of World Heritage sites. The focus was on questions regarding the use of renewable energy and climate protection measures in a historical context. Dr. Simona von Eyb presented Bamberg’s management approaches as well as concrete practical experiences. The discussions made it clear that sustainable transformation in the World Heritage context is achieved primarily through interdisciplinary exchange and international networks.

Interreg

„PopUpUrbanSpaces“

At the initiative of the European Union’s structural and investment policy, Interreg projects have been fostering transnational cooperation among European regions and cities for over 30 years. The focus is on the everyday lives of the population: from energy and climate to transportation and social issues. The World Heritage Center represents the city of Bamberg in the urban planning project “PopUpUrbanSpaces” to explore alternatives to car-oriented mobility and a livable, green design of public spaces from 2023 to 2026. In addition to Bamberg, Germany, partners from Italy, Croatia, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, and Hungary are participating, enabling an exchange of knowledge and experience. The project is supported by the Interreg program “CENTRAL EUROPE” and funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

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Project Title: Facilitating a Shift Towards Active Forms of Mobility by Changing the Attitude and Travel Behavior of Residents Through the Use of Green, Low-cost Tactical Urbanism and Placemaking Solutions

International visitors from Kuwait

In May 2025, the Bamberg World Heritage Center welcomed a delegation from the Kuwaiti Ministry of Culture, accompanied by Managing Director Wolfgang Frey and other representatives from “Pro Denkmal,” a leading company in the field of historic preservation and restoration planning. During a guided tour of the World Heritage Visitor Center, there was an in-depth exchange on issues related to historic preservation, international cooperation, and the management of historic urban structures. The visit underscored the growing international interest in the strategies and methods of Bamberg’s World Heritage management.

“Integrated Management Planning” Workshop in Notodden, Norway

In April 2025, the Bamberg World Heritage Center participated in the international workshop “Urban Heritage for Sustainable Development” in Notodden, Norway. Building on meetings held in Bamberg and Urbino (2024), the workshop focused on strengthening the link between sustainable World Heritage management and climate risks and disaster prevention. Experts from World Heritage management, city administration, and research discussed integrated approaches for incorporating climate risks into planning processes, as well as closer coordination between urban planning, climate protection, and World Heritage management. The workshop provided a space for interactive working formats and the development of cross-sectoral strategies.

Bamberg represented at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi

The most important World Heritage event of the year is the session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee is an intergovernmental body responsible for implementing the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. Its tasks include reporting on the state of conservation of inscribed World Heritage sites, finding solutions for World Heritage in Danger, and new inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In July 2024, the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and the 6th World Heritage Managers’ Forum took place in New Delhi, India. Bamberg was represented by Dr. Simona von Eyb, Director of the World Heritage Center, as the sole German World Heritage site.

The relevance of World Heritage sites to the international community was highlighted in the welcoming remarks by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. The World Heritage Managers Forum enabled more than 80 participants from around the world to exchange views on current challenges and innovative approaches in World Heritage management. This year’s focus was on the theme “World Heritage and Local Communities – Sustainable Management of World Heritage Sites.” Among the key aspects discussed were collaboration with local communities and greater youth engagement, the role of World Heritage in sustainable development, and World Heritage impact assessments and disaster risk management.

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At the conclusion of the forum, the participating World Heritage site managers adopted a joint declaration, which was subsequently presented at the plenary session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The declaration emphasized the increasingly complex role of World Heritage site managers and, above all, the need to provide adequate resources at the local level to ensure the long-term preservation of World Heritage sites. The city of Bamberg was able to contribute its experiences and insights to these international expert discussions and take away valuable ideas for its own work.

Declaration of the 6th World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum

International Workshop “Managing Urban Heritage for Sustainable Development in the Context of World Heritage” in collaboration with ICCROM

The Bamberg World Heritage Center is actively engaged in international cooperation to strengthen the protection and sustainable development of World Heritage sites worldwide. Exchanges with international experts, institutions, and networks make it possible to share best practices, develop innovative solutions, and tackle global challenges together. This active participation in networks not only strengthens Bamberg’s position within the international World Heritage community but also helps generate valuable ideas for local initiatives in the city.

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Gemeinsam mit ICCROM (Internationele Studienzentrale für die Erhaltung und Restaurierung von Kulturgut), einer er beratenden Gremien de UNESCO-Welterbekomitees, veranstaltete das Zentrum Welterbe Bamberg am 9. und 10. Juli den internationalen Workshop "Managing Urban Heritage for Sustainable Development in World Heritage Context".

Ziel war es, die konkreten Bedürfnisse des Managements im städtischen Kontext zu identifizieren und einen Rahmenplan für die Hauptarbeitsfelder eines integrativen Managements zu entwickeln. Der Workshop brachte Expert:innen aus Welterbestätten wie Urbino (Italien), Brügge (Belgien), Rjukan (Norwegen), Bath (Großbritannien), Regensburg (Deutschland), sowie Forschende udn Vertreter:innen des Auswärtigen Amtes und der lokalen Planungsbehörden zusammen. Die Ergebnisse des Workshops fließen direkt in die Überarbeitung des Managementplans für das UNESCO-Welterbe Bamberg ein. Dies unterstreicht die Bedeutung Bambergs als europäisches Kompetenzzentrum für den Austausch über nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung im Welterbekontext. Die Veranstaltung stärkte zudme die internationale Vernetzung und Positionierung Bambergs.

OWHC-Workshop "World Heritage in Young Hands"

To develop new approaches and to involve younger generations more closely in the conservation and sustainable development of UNESCO World Heritage sites, the workshop “World Heritage in Young Hands – Developing New Programs for Young People” took place in Berlin from March 18 to 20. It was organized by the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) with support from the Berlin State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments. The goal was to develop new approaches to involving young people in the protection and sustainable development of World Heritage sites.

Students from UNESCO project schools emphasized their interest in interactive, entertaining, and audiovisual formats, particularly short videos, social media content, and gamified experiences, while traditional guided tours met with little enthusiasm. The workshop addressed new communication strategies such as social media campaigns and storytelling programs. The Bamberg World Heritage Center was represented by Ms. Tamara Winkhardt-Möglich.

Enhancing international visibility

The international profile of the World Heritage city of Bamberg was further enhanced in 2025. The presentation of the World Heritage Visitor Center at the Venice Architecture Biennale, coverage in international media, expert lectures, and invitations to international conferences all underscored the recognition of the Bamberg World Heritage Center.

World Heritage Visitor Center at the Venice Architecture Biennale

A highlight of 2025 was the selection of the Bamberg World Heritage Visitor Center for the prestigious Venice Architecture Biennale. From May to November 2025, the center was featured in the exhibition “Deep Surfaces – Architecture to Enhance the Visitor Experience at UNESCO Sites” at the Palazzo Zorzi.

The central theme of the Biennale was the importance of adaptability and interdisciplinary collaboration. In times of global challenges, not only architecture and urban planning but also World Heritage must draw on different forms of intelligence: the intelligence of nature, technology, and community. These insights offer valuable inspiration for the further development of World Heritage in Bamberg.

This recognition marks a significant international accolade for the center’s successful integration of knowledge dissemination, World Heritage management, and architecture—a great honor for the city of Bamberg and a testament to the creative and substantive work carried out at the World Heritage Visitor Center.

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Closing Conference in Rome

At the invitation of the UNESCO Office in Venice, the Bamberg World Heritage Center participated in the closing conference of the “Deep Surfaces” Biennale exhibition in Rome in November 2025. During a panel discussion, Bamberg was expressly recognized for its work in the field of World Heritage outreach. Dr. Simona von Eyb, Director of the Bamberg World Heritage Center, discussed the future of UNESCO visitor centers with renowned experts. The discussion focused on topics such as innovation, openness, relevance, and a willingness to experiment.

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