The OWHC in times of COVID-19

In these difficult times, the OWHC continues to express its solidarity with all the leaders and the workers of our cities who make enormous efforts daily to protect all the citizens of their community.

One of the objectives of the OWHC is to encourage cooperation and the exchange of information between members, in addition to developing a sense of solidarity among them. City-to-City cooperation being crucial these days, the OWHC appeals to your sense of community to support all World Heritage cities.

In 2015, the topic of our 13^th World Congress was “World Heritage Cities, Resilient Cities”. As part of the Arequipa Resolution, it was concluded that “The role of cultural heritage in resilience should not be limited to concern for natural hazards. Economic and social resilience should also be an important part of our understanding of the concept.” Undoubtedly, the current situation is compelling us to face the vital issue of economic and social resilience.

In that sense, let us all engage in a virtual joint action and mobilize our network towards a common cause: showing our cities’ uniqueness and similarities in these times of crisis and the resilience they are showing in this situation.

We can’t think of a better way to connect, share and exchange than through online tools. By navigating on these pages, you will find useful information and content, from initiatives of member cities to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis in their communities, to impressive pictures of our empty World Heritage sites.

The OWHC undertakes to distribute any useful information to its network in connection with the pandemic that our members share with us.

#HeritageCityStories – Share your stories with us. Tell us how you live this unprecedented situation.