The heritage of humanity builds identity. The Institute Heritage Studies (IHS) has made the investigation and sustainable implementation of the heritage of humanity its mission. The IHS, headed by Prof. Dr. Marie-Theres Albert and deputy director Claudia Grünberg, is a research and science centre that deals with heritage and its diverse constructions. Important concerns of the IHS are: constituting the heritage discourse through inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches, deepening and further developing international cooperation as well as designing and organising training programs. The IHS stands for a comprehensive understanding of the heritage of humanity and researches and conveys it holistically. Current Projects are: “50 Years World Heritage Convention: Shared Responsibility – Conflict & Reconciliation” celebrates the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention by publishing a book and organizing its presentation at an international conference. The book reflects upon past and future of World Heritage while taking into account the values of “responsibility”, “reconciliation” and “sustainability”. With 61 authors from 28 countries, it represents furthermore the global nature of the Convention. Its presentation is organized as hybrid event on 04 November 2022. “Young Climate Action for World Heritage” innovatively combines the topics of UNESCO World Heritage, Education for Sustainable Development and climate change in an educational project for young people. At six World Heritage Sites, students in international teams are exploring the following question by using creative and action-oriented methods: How can we take responsibility for the sustainable preservation of World Heritage Sites and for combating climate change locally? The results will be presented at the World Heritage Sites and prepared in a publication for educational actors.
