Organization of World Heritage Cities

Organization of World Heritage Cities - OWHC:

This international non-governmental organization was founded on 8 September 1993 in Fes (Morocco). At present it comprises 242 cities inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The headquarters of the Management Board of the Organization of World Heritage Cities is located in Quebec (Canada), whereas its administration is overseen by seven secretariats (assigned to particular geographic regions). The principle objective of OWHC is to facilitate the exchange of experiences among the member cities in the domain of revitalization of historical cities and popularization of new solutions that allow complete heritage protection. Celebrated annually by member cities, World Heritage Cities Solidarity Day is devoted to the presentation of achievements in renovation and popularization of monument protection ideas. Celebrations of Solidarity Day were initiated in Krakow in 2000.

Krakow has been a member of OWHC since 1995, pursuant to the Resolution of the Krakow City Council no. XXXIV/322/95 of 22 November 1995.

During the 17th Congress of the Organisation of World Heritage Cities held in Cordoba, Spain, the Mayor of the City of Kraków Aleksander Miszalski was elected a member of the Board of Directors for the term 2024 - 2026.

During the 15th OWHC Congress organized in Kraków in June 2019 our city became a member of the OWHC Board of Directors and the Mayor of Kraków, Jacek Majchrowski, was elected President of the OWHC.

Coordination of cooperation:

The Culture and National Heritage Department is the coordinator of Krakow's participation in the organization's activities.

International Projects:
 

• World Heritage and its people
   
• The Mirror of our History is in the World Heritage Cities
   
• Kraków 2018 in the European Year of Cultural Heritage