UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage: Cosmopolitanization of Collective Memory

The project "UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage: Cosmopolitanization of Collective Memory" deals with the history of UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage in its totality.

Using archival sources, the project firstly reconstructs the history of the foundation of the World Heritage programme up to the International Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972. Secondly, the project investigates the subsequent practice of the nomination procedure and of entry on the World Heritage List up to 1994.


The project offers a critical analysis of the cosmopolitanization of collective memory and of "post-national memory culture". It is a contribution to expanded international history and global history. Due attention is paid to the interplay and tensions between regional, national, and international or global levels. Particular attention is paid to conflict lines in international relations, such as the east-west conflict and the north-south conflict, as well as to the supposed "clash of civilizations" and its effects on the UNESCO World Heritage programme. Additionally, conflicts between representatives of the international organizations, of national and local authorities, and users as well as inhabitants of the heritage sites will be investigated.