UNITED NATIONS: Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Educa­tional, Scientific and Cultu­ral Organisation (Unesco) launched on Monday at Baghdad University Unite 4 Heritage, a social media ca­m­paign to counter the pro­pa­ganda of cultural cleansing in Iraq and other crisis-torn countries, a press rel­ease here said.

Taking an innovative step to support Iraqi youths and to mobilise young people worldwide for the protection of cultural heritage. Ms Bokova said: “Today, we send a clear message”. “We do not accept cultural cleansing and we will stand together to do everything we can to stop it.”

Unite4Heritage was conceived in response to the destruction and pillage of cultural heritage in conflict zones, most recently in Iraq. It builds on an initiative

started by Baghdad University students on March 5 in protest against videos of destruction and looting at Mosul Museum, the historical city of Nimrud and the World Heritage site of Hatra.

According to Unesco, the campaign will use the power of social networks to create a global movement to protect and safeguard heritage under threat.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Closed doors
Updated 08 Jan, 2025

Closed doors

The nation’s fate has been decided through secret deals for too long, with the result that the citizenry has become increasingly alienated from the state.
Debt burden
08 Jan, 2025

Debt burden

THE federal government’s total debt stock soared by above 11pc year-over-year to Rs70.4tr at the end of November,...
GB power crisis
08 Jan, 2025

GB power crisis

MASS protests are not a novelty in Pakistan, and when the state refuses to listen through the available channels —...
Fragile peace
Updated 07 Jan, 2025

Fragile peace

Those who have lost loved ones, as well as those whose property has been destroyed in the clashes, must get justice.
Captive power cut
07 Jan, 2025

Captive power cut

THE IMF’s refusal to relax its demand for discontinuation of massively subsidised gas supplies to mostly...
National embarrassment
Updated 07 Jan, 2025

National embarrassment

The global eradication of polio is within reach and Pakistan has no excuse to remain an outlier.