Celebrating 30 Years of UNESCO in Canterbury

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation was founded in 1946 to promote international peace and collaboration after the Second World War and was largely developed by Rab Butler, the UK Minister for Education. 2019 is Canterbury’s 30th year as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and CCCU is marking this anniversary with a series of events including two days of talks about Canterbury’s place within more than 1,000 properties on the World Heritage List.

The WHS in Canterbury encompasses the Cathedral, St Augustine’s Abbey and St. Martin’s Church while the King’s School and CCCU both occupy part of the site. Speakers will examine aspects of the site’s Heritage and treasures including its green spaces, its buildings, medieval manuscripts and magical animal carvings, and consider the balance between the protection and commercialisation of Heritage sites. Comparisons will be made with the medieval World Heritage Sites in Durham, Reims (Canterbury’s twinned city), and the Wielickza Royal Salt Mine and Malbork Castle in Poland. While UNESCO status helps to preserve sites against negative development, it is not without controversy. The USA has withdrawn from UNESCO in 2019 and recently the International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, commented that the UK might follow suit. This suggestion was rapidly contradicted by Number 10 Downing Street. Join us to discover more about Canterbury’s rich Heritage and its place in the wider family of World Heritage Sites. A wine reception from 6-7pm on Friday 24th May is included as part of the conference fee.

You will be able to apply for the light show during the booking process.

If you are booking for one day, you will get the opportunity to state which day, during the booking process. Please choose 24th May from the drop-down menu, regardless of which day you are arriving.