Scotland's Link with UNESCO

Scotland has significant links with UNESCO.

 4 World Heritage Sites
 the first UNESCO Centre of Excellence in the UK (University of Dundee)
 the first city to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (Edinburgh as a City of Literature)
 Scottish Ministers have committed Scotland to participation in the UNESCO Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Measures to promote ESD are set out in the Sustainable Development Strategy published in 2006.

WORLD HERITAGE

St Kilda was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986 in recognition of its exceptional natural beauty and for the natural habitats that it supports. In 2004 this was extended to include the surrounding marine environment. In July 2005 further recognition for the island’s cultural heritage was awarded making it one of only a few places in the world with Dual World Heritage Status for both its natural and cultural significance. (visit: www.kilda.org.uk)

Orkney's World Heritage Site (Heart of Neolithic Orkney) was incribed in 1999 and covers the West Mainland parish of Stenness as well as the village of Skara Brae. The designation includes the area's major and less well-known sites. The designation also protects unexcavated sites dotted across the area. Historic Scotland are consulting other local organisations and the community to produce a management plan. This will ensure conservation of the sites and inform people of the value of the entire area.

Edinburgh Old and New Towns: Edinburgh was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1995.
The City Council’s Planning Committee considers World Heritage Site status when assessing applications for planning permission and listed building consent. Management activities have included the publication of the World Heritage Site Conservation Manifesto and the establishment of the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust to take over the functions of the Edinburgh New Town Conservation Committee and the Edinburgh Old Town Renewal Trust.

New Lanark was designated a World Heritage Site in 2001, recognising it as a model for industrial communities that was to spread across the world in the 19th and 20th centuries. UNESCO recognised New Lanark as synonymous with Robert Owen’s social philosophy in matters such as progressive education, factory reform, humane working practices, international cooperation, and garden cities, which was to have a profound influence on social developments throughout the 19th century and beyond.

UNESCO CREATIVE CITIES NETWORK

In October 2004 Edinburgh became the first city to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Literature. This designation has provided a focus for literary activities and has attracted undertakings such as the Man Booker Prize for Literature to Scotland. According to preliminary estimates, the City of Literature designation is expected to generate approximately £2.2m a year for the city and £2.1m to the rest of Scotland. (visit: www.cityofliterature.com)

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

The University of Dundee was the first UNESCO centre of excellence in any discipline in the UK, awarded in 2006. The Scottish Government has committed £900,000 of funding over 5 years to help support the development of the University’s IUNESCO centre for Water Law, Policies and Science.