European World Cultural Heritage Youth Forum

Dubrovnik, Croatia
26th.-31st. May, 1996

We, the young people "Patrimonitos" (heritage protectors), as we call ourselves, are so happy to be here in the World heritage city of Dubrovnik.

During this forum we became aware of the importance of preserving our heritage which we consider to be our treasure, and we discussed our ideas for protecting the World heritage with the young people from 23 different countries, including: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Bosnia & Herzeg., Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russian Feder.,Slovak, Republic Slovenia, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe.

From this forum we have examined more closely the work of UNESCO on World Heritage to prevent such gems from being destroyed.

We have some needs concerning preserving World's cultural and natural heritage as follows:

More involvement of heritage in school curriculum starting from infancy. More similar youth forums are to be held in individual countries so more people from each country will be able to participate. More investment towards heritage preservation such as launching a media campaign. More priority given to ecological standards. More efforts and action in solving problems peacefully, as wars ruin our heritage.

Important heritage sites to be preserved as well as popular and beautiful sites Decrease nuclear fission and instead increase nuclear fusion and other alternative energy sources.

Therefore please help us to continue in a similar spirit by promoting a better understanding and appreciation of UNESCO's efforts as to preserve World Heritage. We have not just been talking about peace but we have also been building peace. If you do not act according to international conventions then they are useless.

We started at Bergen Norway a year ago, we proceeded in Dubrovnik. Croatia, so let us continue as we are the ones who are inheriting the future.

70 "Patrimonitos" from 23 European countries, Dubrovnik, 30 May 1996