KRAKOW, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Participants of a youth forum at the 41st session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee on Monday issued a declaration calling for an integrated approach to protect cultural and national heritage.
Participants expressed concern over the destruction of heritage and called for more involvement of local communities into protection of heritage sites.
"We believe we must make a joint effort to protect heritage of unique, universal value, and look after the sustainable development of society," the declaration read.
Local communities are vital in decisions over reconstruction and preservation of heritage objects, including the engagement of local artisans and youth. The forum called for using authentic sources to avoid the appropriation of heritage sites by political interests and nationalism.
The 41st session of the World Heritage Committee was opened on Sunday in Krakow, southern Poland. The session lasts from July 2 to 12 and the Committee will assess the nomination of 34 sites for inscription on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
