The UNESCO World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2026, which will be held in South Korea from July 13 - 21, 2026, is currently accepting applications. Under the topic “World Heritage, Communities, and Education: Empowering Youth as Agents of Change,” the Forum is being held by the Republic of Korea through the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) in collaboration with the Korean National Commission for UNESCO (KNCU).
Thirty young professionals from around the world who work or study in fields like education, culture, sustainable development, community engagement, or world heritage conservation will come together for the forum. Workshops guided by experts, panel discussions, group projects, and field trips to South Korean World Heritage sites will all be part of the program. These events will center on investigating creative methods that young people and local communities can actively engage in the preservation, administration, and dissemination of World Heritage via awareness-raising and education.
Additionally, the Forum offers a special venue for global networking, information sharing, and capacity building, allowing attendees to discuss experiences from their own nations and generate useful suggestions and ideas for action. By the time the Forum concludes, participants should have improved their leadership abilities and helped to create more community-based, inclusive methods of conserving World Heritage for both current and future generations.
Host Country: South Korea
Opportunity Type: Professionals Forum
Date: 13 - 21 July 2026
Eligibility Country: International Students
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Program Theme
Community Power: Exploring how the knowledge, traditions, and involvement of local communities contribute to the protection and preservation of World Heritage sites.
Education & Research: Highlighting the role of education, research, and learning in supporting informed and effective heritage management decisions.
Youth Leadership: Focusing on how young people can take leadership roles in promoting sustainable management and long-term conservation of world heritage sites.
Program Format: The Forum will feature a mix of thematic discussions, interactive workshops, collaborative group work, and site visits to World Heritage properties across the Republic of Korea.
