Europa Nostra’s Secretary General takes part in the selection panel of the World Monuments Watch list 2025
In mid-September 2024, a panel of experts from across the globe convened to select which of the over 200 nominations of endangered heritage sites from 69 countries will make the 2025 World Monuments Watch. The Secretary General of Europa Nostra, Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, was pleased to contribute to the selection panel for 2025 list, which will be revealed in mid-January 2025 by the World Monuments Fund (WMF).
It has been a great honour & pleasure to contribute to the Selection panel for 2025 #WorldMonumentsWatch List.
We must join our voices & forces to raise the awareness & mobilise action to save the endangered diverse cultural & natural heritage of humanity! @BdeMontlaur https://t.co/kFuj3kjCXe— Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović (@SneskaEN) September 13, 2024
“We must join our voices and forces to raise awareness and mobilise action to save the endangered diverse cultural and natural heritage of humanity,” emphasised the Secretary General of Europa Nostra.
These panellists include Lynn Meskell (panel chair), Professor of Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania; Albino Jopela, Head of Programmes at the African World Heritage Fund; Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailovic, Secretary General of Europa Nostra; Nelly Robles García, Vice-president of the International Committee of Archaeological Heritage Management; Pasang Dolma Sherpa, Executive Director of the Center of Indigenous Peoples’ Research & Development (CIPRED); Brinda Somaya, Founder and Principal Architect of Somaya & Kalappa Consultants; and Lyu Zhou, Director and Professor of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University.
World Monuments Fund found a host of human factors, such as war, overdevelopment, lapse in oversight, and rising temperatures, to be the major factors threatening over 200 heritage sites under review for its 2025 World Monuments Watch.
The principal factors facing monuments across the planet today include conflict & crises, irresponsible tourism, rapid urbanization, climate change, limited community engagement, and insufficient funding & lack of recognition.
During the data analysis, specific themes emerged as predominant challenges across regions:
– In Sub-Saharan Africa, 74% of nominated sites highlighted climate hazards and impacts as a critical issue.
– In Asia & the Pacific, 51% of the sites pointed to rapid urbanization and development pressures. Europe & North America faced significant financial challenges, with 58% of the sites citing insufficient funding and resources.
– In Latin America & the Caribbean, 43% of the sites were concerned with overuse and tourism.
– The Middle East & North Africa region identified two key challenges: 40% of the sites reported issues related to human conflict and crises, while another 40% highlighted limited local expertise and capacities.
These percentages underscore the diverse and pressing challenges that heritage sites face globally.
The nominations submitted reflect the current challenges faced by the heritage community at the local level, guiding World Monuments Fund’s focus on urgent issues in the field. Each nomination undergoes extensive internal and external review. The evaluation criteria include the site’s cultural significance, the urgency of intervention, and the feasibility of proposed solutions. Special consideration is given to sites where preservation efforts can significantly impact the livelihoods and well-being of local communities.
“Since its inception in 1996, the World Monuments Watch has been a crucial tool for WMF to understand the evolving needs of heritage sites and the communities that rely on them,” said Bénédicte de Montlaur, CEO of World Monuments Fund. “Our data-driven approach has deepened our insights, enabling us to craft more effective strategies and take meaningful action where needed most. In the face of these issues, the 2025 Watch will demonstrate the potential for heritage preservation to help communities adapt and thrive within our dynamic world.”
