World Heritage Sites That Japanese People Don't Know
“Even though World Heritage sites are beautiful in principle, they face contradictions and challenges that are not easily solved, such as the trend toward politicization of the World Heritage Committee and discrepancies with development policies; as a specialist in the secretariat, I myself feel this strongly.” This is a quote from a book.
The book I am introducing today is written by Nao Hayashi, the only Japanese specialist for the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, who majored in Ancient Mediterranean and Roman History at Sophia University and the University of Tokyo Graduate School, was a French government scholarship student, a visiting researcher at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, earned a master's degree from the University of Paris IV (Sorbonne), and also studied sustainable development at the University of London. This is the book she wrote.
Nao Hayashi, 'World Heritage Sites That Japanese People Don't Know' (Asahi Shinsho)
This book was written to explore how we should face, how we should live, and what we can leave for the future and pass on regarding the situation of World Heritage sites, many of which are in crisis due to many global-level problems such as conflicts, wars, climate change, and environmental destruction.
This book consists of the following three parts.
1. The true appeal of World Heritage is 'diversity'
2. How are World Heritage sites selected and registered?
3. The pros and cons of World Heritage sites
At the beginning of this book, the author states, “Why do World Heritage sites capture the hearts of Japanese people so much?”
In the first half of the book, she explains the following points regarding “the true appeal of World Heritage is diversity.”
◆ The 'World Heritage Convention' which came into effect just three years after its adoption
◆ Overwhelmingly many 'Cultural Heritage' sites, surprisingly few 'Natural Heritage' sites, and 'Mixed Heritage' sites which do not exist in Japan
◆ 'Industrial Heritage,' a category of Cultural Heritage, and 'Marine Heritage,' a category of Natural Heritage
◆ 'Heritage in Danger,' World Heritage sites exposed to crisis
◆ Memory of the World: A system distinct from World Heritage
In the middle section of this book, I explain how World Heritage sites are selected and inscribed The main points are as follows.
◆ Criteria for recognition as a World Heritage site: (1) Outstanding Universal Value, (2) meeting one of the 10 specific inscription criteria, and (3) proving 'authenticity' and 'integrity' with a sound preservation and management system
◆ Outstanding Universal Value: Exceptional cultural and/or natural significance that transcends national boundaries
◆ Authenticity: The cultural heritage maintains its original form, materials, and substance
◆ Integrity: The characteristics of the natural or cultural heritage are preserved and managed
In the latter part of this book, I explain the pros and cons of World Heritage sites The main points are as follows.
◆ Economic impact of World Heritage inscription: Increased visibility attracts tourists from home and abroad
◆ Balancing tourism and heritage management
◆ 'World Heritage Journeys,' a project led by the World Heritage Centre
◆ Climate change as a major threat to World Heritage sites
◆ A success story contributing to local people and sustainable development: George Town, Malaysia
At the end of this book, an appendix titled 'My Recommended World Heritage Sites and Their Highlights' is included.
Why not read this book, written by the only Japanese treaty specialist, to learn about World Heritage sites unknown to the Japanese and consider what you can do?
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Well then, have a happy day today![3529th book]