Dear Mayor, It is with great pleasure I invite all of you to ...
Dear Mayor,
It is with great pleasure I invite all of you to the 14th World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) which will be held from Monday 31 October to Friday 3 November 2017 in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.
As the capital city of the Silla, the first unified kingdom, Gyeongju had been the capital of a single dynasty for 992 years. The city achieved a great cultural development through exchanges with the cities in other civilization throughout a long period. The splendid culture of Gyeongju is revealed by three UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Bulguksa Temple/Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju Historic Areas and Korean Traditional Village of Yangdong.
The World Congress of next year has a special meaning to the cities in Asia & Pacific Region. Many World Heritage Cities in this region lack of knowledge and experiences. Many of us are struggling to find proper ways to deal with numerous problems such as uncontrolled urbanization, the gap between modern and traditional lifestyles, armed conflicts and pollution.
But this Congress is not about geography. It is a Congress about communication. It is a Congress about human potential.
The 14th World Congress in Gyeongju will leave a unique and lasting legacy for generations to come. Every congress does. But our congress will be about much more than meetings and
agreements. Our congress will result in a lasting legacy that creates opportunity and potential for the communities in our cities.
By setting the theme of « HERITAGE AND COMMUNITY: Tools to engage local communities », we have placed the communities at the heart of the conservation and heritage management processes, and consequently strengthened their ability to participate meaningfully in the process of decisions-making for themselves and their heritage.
As a safe and pleasant city with a rich cultural heritage, Gyeongju will deliver a wonderful experience, capturing your eyes and heart in all respects. Without a doubt, our aim in hosting the World Congress is to exceed the expectations of all of the delegates.
I look forward to welcoming all of you in Gyeongju. Sincerely yours,
Yangsik CHOI The Mayor of Gyeongju
It is with great pleasure I invite all of you to the 14th World Congress of the Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) which will be held from Monday 31 October to Friday 3 November 2017 in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea.
As the capital city of the Silla, the first unified kingdom, Gyeongju had been the capital of a single dynasty for 992 years. The city achieved a great cultural development through exchanges with the cities in other civilization throughout a long period. The splendid culture of Gyeongju is revealed by three UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Bulguksa Temple/Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju Historic Areas and Korean Traditional Village of Yangdong.
The World Congress of next year has a special meaning to the cities in Asia & Pacific Region. Many World Heritage Cities in this region lack of knowledge and experiences. Many of us are struggling to find proper ways to deal with numerous problems such as uncontrolled urbanization, the gap between modern and traditional lifestyles, armed conflicts and pollution.
But this Congress is not about geography. It is a Congress about communication. It is a Congress about human potential.
The 14th World Congress in Gyeongju will leave a unique and lasting legacy for generations to come. Every congress does. But our congress will be about much more than meetings and
agreements. Our congress will result in a lasting legacy that creates opportunity and potential for the communities in our cities.
By setting the theme of « HERITAGE AND COMMUNITY: Tools to engage local communities », we have placed the communities at the heart of the conservation and heritage management processes, and consequently strengthened their ability to participate meaningfully in the process of decisions-making for themselves and their heritage.
As a safe and pleasant city with a rich cultural heritage, Gyeongju will deliver a wonderful experience, capturing your eyes and heart in all respects. Without a doubt, our aim in hosting the World Congress is to exceed the expectations of all of the delegates.
I look forward to welcoming all of you in Gyeongju. Sincerely yours,
Yangsik CHOI The Mayor of Gyeongju
