Learning from World Heritage

Implementation of the World

Heritage Convention in
Argentina
Natchitoches, Louisiana, March
2004
Argentina and the WHC
„ Two Periods marked by a long interval…
Basic Information on the
country…
„ Official name: Republica Argentina
„ Limits (north) Paraguay and Bolivia);(east)
Atlantic Ocean, Uruguay and Brazil; (west)
Chile; (south) Chile and the Atlantic Ocean
„ Extension: 22° to 55° lat.(=from Nova
Scotia to the South of Mexico)
„ More than 3 million km2 and 36 million
inhabitants
First Period
„ Adhesion 1978
„ 1978-1985 member of the World Heritage
Committee
„ 1983 hosted the World Heritage
Committee
„ 1981-1984 Three sites: los Glaciares,
Iguazu National Park, The Jesuit Missions
of the Guaranis
The second “active” period
„ 1994 :amendment of the National
Constitution
„ Period of transformation and
modernization
„ Expansion of WHC in Latin America
„ 1992: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Actions undertaken…
„ Institutional framework for the implementation of
the 1972 Convention
„ Inclusion of 5 new sites: Cueva de las Manos,
Peninsula Valdes, Ischigualasto-Talampaya,
Jesuit Block and Estancias of
Cordoba,Quebrada de Humahuaca.
„ Updating of the National Tentative List
„ Participation in statutory organs
„ International Assistance
Where lies the problem, then?
„ Dramatic social and economic situation
„ End of peso/dollar parity. Argentina one of the
cheapest countries for tourism.
„ Argentine WHC:how can we work together?
„ Outdated legislation
„ Periodic Report
„ Quebrada de Humahuaca and Qhapaq Nan:two
major challenges for Argentina and the Region.
„
Learning from World Heritage in
Argentina…
„ Reinforcement of the inter-institutional
approach
„ Legislation updated
„ Strong political will
„ Awareness within the Argentine society
„ Research and capacity-training in cultural
landscapes management
Learning from World Heritage
„ Strengthening the role played by NGOs
„ Increased sensitivity among international
financial institutions about the relationship
conservation / development
„ UNESCO Operation Guidelines should
contemplate specific problems of management
„ Reinforcement of UNESCO s World Heritage
Fund by donor countries
A last word…
„ All methods and means to enhance the
protection of our heritage should be
undertaken within the spirit of this
visionary instrument that is the World
Heritage Convention.
Thank you… Gracias ….
Maria Susana Pataro