EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - UNESCO World Heritage

NOMINATION DOSSIER ANNEX 5.6
"ANCIENT BEECH FORESTS OF GERMANY"
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY:
BEECH FORESTS AS UNESCO WORLD NATURAL HERITAGE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, SEPTEMBER 2008
5. DEFINITION OF INTERIM TARGETS
The objectives of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention can only be achieved through the fulfilment of
interim targets. We list these below as a basis on which to develop the acceptance that is desired:
• Raising regional awareness
In order to develop a positive attitude towards the nomination, the public must have an active awareness of
the region and identify with it.
• Filling the information gaps
In order to provide transparent and evenly balanced information, gaps in thematic awareness must be filled
and equivalence must be established in terms of the quality of information structures.
• Creating forums for action
To encourage the general public to play an active role in the nomination, it must be given opportunities for
participation.
• Clarification of terms, re-interpretation
In order to facilitate communication between stakeholders and target groups and convey an appropriate
understanding of the purpose and aims of the nomination, the language used must be harmonised in order to
avoid misunderstandings. Nature conservation terminology is often not understood by non-specialists or may
have different connotations in daily life.
• Accessibility of knowledge
The message and associated information must be made accessible in terms of both language and content in
order to ensure that people are not overwhelmed by the amount of information provided and therefore lose
interest.
• Topicality
All the information must be passed to recipients as quickly as possible on a regular basis via trusted
communication channels. The crucial aspect here is not to cover everything in terms of content but to
encourage a sense of ownership and empowerment.
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