It has been 30 years since the Executive Committee and the General Conference of UNESCO approved to name April 18^th, the World Heritage Day. The proposal was made by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) to celebrate and promote World Heritage sites.

It is generally believed that the World Heritage sites are shared wealth by all citizens of the world and they have to be preserved and protected from destruction. This special day offers a global opportunity to raise public awareness and educate the public on the related issues.

To promote the universal concept of World Heritage, ICOMOS has suggested some ideas on how to celebrate World Heritage Day, some of these include:

• Visits to monuments and sites, and restoration works, possibly with free admission
• Articles in newspapers and magazines, as well as television and radio broadcasts
• Inviting local and foreign experts and personalities for conferences and interviews
• Organizing discussions in cultural-centers, city halls, and other public spaces
• Exhibitions (photos, paintings, etc)
• Publication of books, post-cards, stamps, posters
• Awarding prizes to organizations or persons who have made an outstanding contribution to the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage or produced an excellent publication on the subject.
• Inaugurate a recently restored monument
• Special awareness raising activities amongst school children and youth
• Promotion of ‘twinning’ opportunities between organizations, defining areas for co-operation; exchange of speakers; organization of meetings and seminars, or the editing of joint publications.