World Heritage Capacity-Building Training for SIDS
An initiative of the Republic of Azerbaijan implemented in partnership with the Chartered Culture and Education Institute (CCEI)
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
14:00–16:00 (Paris Time)
Live Online | English
Free Participation
About the Training
The Chartered Culture and Education Institute (CCEI) announces a free international training session under the World Heritage Pathway Capacity-Building Programme, an initiative of the Republic of Azerbaijan implemented in partnership with CCEI.
The training is designed to strengthen professional knowledge and institutional capacities in heritage protection, management, and international cooperation, with particular attention to Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Training Topics
-
UNESCO World Heritage Convention: International obligations of States Parties.
-
Tentative Lists and Nominations: Key requirements and nomination procedures.
-
Outstanding Universal Value and Heritage Management: Identification, protection, and management principles.
-
Intangible Cultural Heritage: Safeguarding living heritage and community engagement.
Complimentary Professional Learning Opportunity
All registered participants will receive free access to CCEI's self-paced World Heritage Professional Certificate Programme, supporting continued learning and professional development beyond the live session.
Who Can Participate?
The training welcomes:
-
Permanent Delegations to UNESCO
-
National Commissions for UNESCO
-
Government institutions and heritage authorities
-
Cultural and natural heritage organizations
-
Universities, researchers, and scholars
-
Heritage managers, experts, and professionals
Participation from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is particularly encouraged.
Registration
Participation is free of charge, and advance registration is required. Registered participants will receive the online joining details.
Registration: https://www.cultureeducation.org/offers/XozzHQF2/checkout
Relevant institutions and professional networks are encouraged to share this announcement widely to support international knowledge exchange and capacity development.
Register now to secure your free participation and advance your professional expertise in World Heritage!
Zoom access details will be sent to your registered email address upon successful registration.
Heritage Management Professional Certificate Self-Paced Program
The deadline to complete the Program is December 30, 2026.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) safeguard distinctive cultural, natural, marine, coastal, and landscape heritage shaped by biodiversity, living traditions, community memory, and the close relationship between people and place. Yet many SIDS remain underrepresented on the World Heritage List.
UNESCO recognizes 39 SIDS, representing more than 70 million people across the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Caribbean, and Pacific regions. As of January 2026, only 24 SIDS had World Heritage properties, with a total of 38 UNESCO World Heritage sites across SIDS. This highlights an important gap: many island states continue to have limited or no representation on the World Heritage List, despite possessing heritage of potential Outstanding Universal Value.
The World Heritage Pathway Capacity-Building Programme, led by the Chartered Culture and Education Institute (CCEI) and sponsored by the Republic of Azerbaijan, complements UNESCO’s World Heritage framework by providing practical, early-stage capacity-building support. It helps participating countries strengthen professional expertise, documentation readiness, institutional coordination, and World Heritage preparedness.
Within this initiative, the Heritage Management Professional Certificate Program provides 8–10 hours of self-paced learning in heritage conservation, management, policy, education, climate resilience, and stakeholder engagement.
Each eligible SIDS country may nominate up to three participants, who will receive three months of complimentary programme access. Participation fees are fully covered by the Republic of Azerbaijan.
The programme is designed for heritage professionals, government officials, World Heritage focal points, site managers, researchers, and university experts, as well as professionals working across culture, nature, tourism, planning, conservation, climate resilience, and community heritage.
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
Why Heritage Leadership Matters
The global heritage sector is a $1 trillion+ contributor to the world economy, supporting millions of jobs across conservation, tourism, education, and cultural innovation. But beyond economics, heritage is a moral responsibility: protecting the cultural and natural resources that shape who we are.
Yet today, many professionals lack structured training aligned with international standards. The HP Certificate changes that—providing you with globally relevant, practice-oriented education anchored in UNESCO, ICOMOS, and ICCROM frameworks.
Program Highlights
- 100% Self-Paced – Complete in 8-10 hours
- 3-Month Access – Lessons, global case studies, quizzes
- Certificate of Completion – Awarded by the Chartered Culture & Education Institute
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Recognize tangible, intangible, and natural heritage across cultures.
- Apply principles of policy, governance, and legal protection.
- Design climate-sensitive conservation & risk management approaches.
- Lead community engagement and inclusive heritage models.
- Harness digital heritage tools such as 3D scanning, GIS, and AR.
- Demonstrate ethical leadership and public education strategies in heritage.
Learning Experience
The HP Certificate blends interactive lessons, global case studies, and practical tasks with a final assessment that validates your skills. You’ll join a growing international network of heritage professionals from conservators and educators to cultural policymakers committed to shaping a more inclusive and sustainable heritage future.
The world needs heritage leaders who can protect, innovate, and inspire. This is your chance to step into that role backed by global standards and an international network.
Join the Heritage Professional (HP) Executive Certificate today and lead the way in safeguarding humanity’s legacy.
Contact Information
Popular Programs
Newsletter Signup
Subscribe to receive the latest CCEI updates, events, and exclusive content.
