This month, the United Kingdom became the 183rd State to join UNESCO’s Convention. Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General said, "We welcome the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as the 183rd State Party to the UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. This marks an important step in our shared commitment to protecting and transmitting the living heritage of the communities."

Created in 2003, UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage recognises traditional craftsmanship, oral traditions and expressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe. In two decades, the Convention has highlighted the importance of living heritage, brought more community voices to the forefront and become a reference for States in the establishment of policies and institutions, legal frameworks and  educational and economic programmes. Today, 730 elements are inscribed on the Convention’s Lists and Register.

The UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, initiated as a UNESCO special project in 1994, gives young people a chance to voice their concerns and to become involved in the protection of our common cultural and natural heritage. It seeks to encourage and enable tomorrow’s decision-makers to participate in heritage conservation and to respond to the continuing threats facing our World Heritage.

Not to be outdone, RGS are incredibly proud to host its first Heritage Week, to celebrate and share their World Heritage stories and experiences, which culminates in an evening of celebration on Tuesday 30th April to which family and friends and the wider community are warmly invited. The evening will showcase presentations, songs and recitals from Western and Eastern Heritage as well as speeches by students on Heritage and what it means to them.

There is no charge to attend the event, however, we would be grateful if you could book tickets via Little Box Office to help us manage numbers.