UNESCO and the IAU are working together to implement a research and education collaboration as part of UNESCO’s Astronomy and World Heritage project. This initiative aims at the recognition and promotion of achievements in science through the nomination of architectural properties, sites or landscape forms related to the observation of the sky through the history of mankind or connected with astronomy in some other way. The proposed lines of action are: identification, safeguarding and promotion of these properties. This programme provides an opportunity to identify properties related to astronomy located around the world, to preserve their memory and save them from progressive deterioration. The support from the international community through IYA2009 is needed to develop this activity which will allow us to help preserve this sometimes very fragile heritage.

UNESCO Contact 

Anna SIDORENKO-DULOM
Coordinator
Thematic Initiative “Astronomy and World Heritage”
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, Place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP, France
Tel: (33)1.45.68.20.96
Fax: (33)1.45.68.55.70
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Documents 

Convention Concerning the Protection Of The World Cultural And Natural Heritage: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/convention-en.pdf

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/opguide08-en.pdf

Thematic Initiative "Astronomy and World Heritage" (September 2005)
http://www.astronomy2009.org/files/pdfs/CL_WHC-05_09en.pdf

29th Session of the World Heritage Committee (January 2007)
http://www.astronomy2009.org/files/pdfs/CL _WHC-07_01_AWH_AS.eng.pdf

Follow-up of the World Heritage Committee's decision related to the Thematic Initiative "Astronomy and World Heritage" (January 2008)
http://www.astronomy2009.org/files/pdfs/CL-WHC_AWH-08_02.pdf

Links

http://whc.unesco.org
http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=281&id_group=21&s=home
http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/404