Mayor Anderson today (02.10.17) issued a press release informing the Minister for Heritage MP John Glenn that he was establishing a World Heritage Board to try and “reset the relationship with UNESCO”.

Engage sits on the World Heritage Site Steering Group and this isn’t something that was shared or discussed with those charged with managing the site and making sure it upholds the requirements placed on it by UNESCO. However there is no doubt that it is a welcome move as something urgently needs to be done to show UNESCO that the city is serious in trying to hold onto the prestigious listing it was granted in 2004.

We wonder if it is any co-incidence that this announcement comes two days before the UNESCO Chief of the Europe and North America Unit at the World Heritage Centre in Paris comes to Liverpool to take part in the Engage World Heritage Site seminar series. Isabelle Anatole-Gabriel opens the series with a presentation at the Town Hall on Wednesday 4th October at  5.45pm entitled ‘UNESCO WHS –  What’s It All About?’

Engage has organised a seminar series to draw attention to the very real possibility that the city will lose UNESCO status by next year unless something dramatic happens between Liverpool City Council, Peel Holdings and National Government’s DCMS. Residents and stakeholders are invited to attend these seminars to show UNESCO and the city how important the status is to many people who live and work here. Registration is essential as places are limited. Book Here.

Press Release by Liverpool City Council

Article in Liverpool Confidential 03.10.17