Friends of World Heritage
Issue Area: Sustainable Development
Friends of World Heritage is a community of individuals all over the world working to preserve and protect UNESCO World Heritage sites for local communities and for future travelers. World Heritage sites—places recognized for their outstanding natural and cultural value to the world—are irreplaceable sources of life, culture and livelihoods. We provide individuals—travelers and non-travelers—with the tools to protect World Heritage, connect with local communities and travel responsibly.
The founding partners of Friends of World Heritage are the UN Foundation, UNESCO World Heritage Centre and Expedia, Inc.
RELATED CAMPAIGNS
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STORIES OF IMPACT
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Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to Preserve World Heritage
Area of Involvement: Sustainable Development
Meet Lizbeth Pool Uc, co-founder of Flor de Tajonal, a women’s cooperative in the small town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Mexico that makes and sells honey and honey products. For generations, Lizbeth’s family has been keeping bees, one of the oldest economic activities of the Yucatan’s Mayan people and an important part of their ceremonial life.
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The Galapagos Islands - Biodiversity on the Brink
Area of Involvement: Sustainable Development
Many of us first read about the Galápagos Islands in a high school biology text book. Charles Darwin's famous theory of evolution was inspired by his visit to one of the largest, most complex, most diverse, and best preserved ocean archipelagos on earth. Because of its outstanding and universal value, the Galápagos Islands were fittingly designated as our planet's first World Heritage site in 1978.
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Rebuilding lives and livelihoods in Mexico
Area of Involvement: Sustainable Development
When a category 5 hurricane devastated the mostly Mayan community of Sian Ka'an, Mexico, we appealed to our supporters and partners. The response was overwhelming to help rebuild this World Heritage site.
