Managing World Heritage for the benefit of local communities

Dr Anne Allen. King Street Halls, Kirkwall

Dr Allen is the Manager at Durham Castle and Cathedral World Heritage Site and Focal Point for UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities

Durham has been a place of learning and worship for over 1000 years.  Their 2025-2035 World Heritage Site Management Plan seeks to harness the power of our world heritage as a resource for lifelong learning and regenerative tourism. OAS Vice Chair Colleen Batey has recently been appointed as inaugural WHS Honorary Professor of Lifelong Learning.

This talk explores how by adopting a place-based approach they are involving the communities they serve and recognising the local values of the site alongside the outstanding universal value that is inscribed on the World Heritage List.  As a result, they are investing significantly in increasing public access and improving the gardens and designed landscape of the World Heritage Site.

This talk takes place in King Street Halls, Kirkwall and is free to attend, there will be a raffle to raise funds towards the festival costs and to support Orkney Archaeology Society. This hall is accessible, the talk will be taking place in the hall on the ground floor.