Cooperation
World Heritage means to provide mutual support and cooperate at different levels and with different partners. Stralsund and Wismar use the national and international connections within the network of World Heritage sites to foster professional exchange and provide assistance.
Local
Since their recognition as World Heritage, a solid network of local actors has formed in both cities, who are committed in different ways to the objectives of conservation, urban renewal, education and public relations.
- Redevelopment agencies
- The World Heritage Advisory Board of Stralsund
- Place Trustees of the German Foundation for Monument Protection
- The ‘Save the Old Town of Stralsund’ Citizens Committee
- Chambers of Architects/Local Groups
- Historic Centre Association Wismar
- City Marketing Association Stralsund
- Secondary schools
- Tour guides
- Masons' lodges for young people
- Tourist Offices
- Local foundations
National
The German National Commission for UNESCO
The German Commission for UNESCO is Germany's institution for multilateral policy in education, science, culture and communication. As part of cultural and educational policy, the German National Commission contributes to promoting understanding between cultures as well as trust and cooperation between Germany and its international partners. The Commission’s task is to advise the federal government, the Bundestag and the other competent authorities on any matter arising from membership of the Federal Republic of Germany in UNESCO.
German UNESCO World Heritage Sites Association
The German UNESCO World Heritage Sites Association is made up of German World Heritage sites and the respective tourism organizations. The association, which previously functioned as an advertising community, was founded in September 2001 in Quedlinburg, where the association is still based.
Historical Cities Consortium
In 1973 three cities joined to the Bamberg-Lübeck-Regensburg Consortium in order take a concerted approach to urban development for the good of their historic centres. The resulting collaboration was succesfuly extended in 1991 through partnerships with the cities of Meißen, Görlitz and Stralsund and renamed the ‘Historical Cities Consortium’.
The World Heritage Cities of the German Association of Cities
In 2010 a working group of the six area-based World Heritage Cities (Bamberg, Goslar, Lübeck, Quedlinburg, Regensburg, Stralsund and Wismar) was established by the German Association of Cities.
UNESCO World Heritage status brings up a variety of topics related to the communal living environment, often not only with regards to new opportunities but also considerable conflicts. This necessitates reaching agreement. The association allows World Heritage cities to clearly raise their needs with one voice.
The working group is also intended to formulate the position of the UNESCO World Heritage cities with regards to policy makers in German states, the Federal Government and the EU. By raising awareness amongst elected officials and the competent administrative authorities at different levels of government, an enhanced framework for the use of the potential of World Heritage Cities can be attained.
The Working Group UNESCO World Heritage Cities of the German Association of Cities focuses on the following priorities:
- types of networking with the EU, the federal and state governments
- Inner-city World Heritage Monitoring
- Public relations and educational work
- Participation in the scientific dialogue on World Heritage
- The economic potential of World Heritage sites and cultural property in general for civil society
International
The Organization of World Heritage Cities
The Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC) is an association of cities whose urban areas have been recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage. The organization was founded on September 8, 1993 in Fez (Morocco). The headquarters of the of OWHC are located in Québec (Canada). The Regional Secretariat for the World Heritage cities of Northwestern Europe and North America is based in Regensburg
The main tasks of the OWHC consist of assisting in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, cooperation and exchange of information in the conservation and management of World Heritage sites and also developing a sense of solidarity among the member cities. The General Assembly of the OWHC is made up of the mayors of the cities and meets every two years.
The Hanseatic Cities of Stralsund and Wismar have been members of the OWHC since 2002.
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
ICOMOS is an independent non-governmental organization which campaigns for the protection and preservation of monuments, ensembles and cultural landscapes as well as the preservation of historical heritage worldwide. ICOMOS acts as adviser and expert in the work of the World Heritage Committee and the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on World Heritage.
ICOMOS functions with an interdisciplinary and competent network of members, National Committees and International Scientific Committees and also benefits from successful cooperation with other organizations.
Since 2015 the Hanseatic Cities of Stralsund and Wismar have been members of the German National Committee of ICOMOS.
The European Route of Brick Gothic (EuRoB)
The European Route of Brick Gothic (EuRoB) is an association centred around the common architectural heritage of Brick Gothic with members (cities and regions) along the Baltic coasts and inland. It leads through Poland, Germany and Denmark.
Having emerged from initiatives of the German Foundation for Monument Protection, two European projects and a number of individual activities of involved members, the European Route of Brick Gothic today includes cities, regions and buildings mainly from the southern Baltic. The association members have come together through a common understanding of the value, importance and cultural tourism potential of their brick Gothic buildings with the aim of combining their resources and raising awareness of this cultural heritage in Europe.
The ‘European Route of Brick Gothic’ works to promote art and culture, science, education and international understanding.
