Training Proposal for Engaging Youth in the San Gimignano UNESCO Site
The UNESCO Heritage Awareness: Actions from Youth project aims to actively engage primary and middle school students, as well as the young adult community in the San Gimignano area, in discovering, interpreting, narrating, and enhancing the value of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The training and community building programme includes:
- The Heritage Awareness Youth Programme, designed for younger audiences.
- The San Gimignano Youth Camp, a three-day immersive experience tailored for young adults (approximately aged 18–30).
This project is part of the YES! Youth Empowerment for Sustainability program by Fondazione Santagata and operates within the framework of the 2022 funding cycle under the Italian Law 77/2006. It focuses on the conservation, knowledge, and safeguarding of the historic center of San Gimignano, supported by the Ministry of Culture – Directorate-General for Education, Research, and Cultural Institutions.
Context
The San Gimignano UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its remarkably preserved medieval authenticity and territorial integrity, holds an Outstanding Universal Value. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1990, the historic center of San Gimignano is one of Europe’s finest examples of urban organization during the communal age. It represents a perfect balance between human intervention and nature, offering a genuine glimpse into European medieval history.
Objectives
The program is designed to:
- Raise awareness and foster community engagement, involving middle and high school students as well as young adults, with a focus on the site’s UNESCO values and its sustainable development.
- Actively listen to and engage local youth, encouraging their participation in discussions on critical topics like territorial management and the creation of sustainable development models.
- Provide innovative tools for cultural planning, enhancing local competencies through targeted capacity-building activities.
- Build new synergies among local communities, youth, and businesses, encouraging meaningful collaborations.
- Develop an informed and active community, capable of caring for the UNESCO site and contributing to its long-term preservation.
Work Phases
- Program Development (September–December 2024): Design of the training curriculum and Youth Camp.
- Cultural Network Conference (12 December 2024): Hosted in San Gimignano to launch the Youth Camp.
- Workshops and Field Activities (November 2024–March 2025): Interactive sessions and creative labs for middle and high school students to deepen their understanding of the UNESCO site.
- San Gimignano Youth Camp (March 2025): A hands-on experience for young adults (ages 18–30) living, studying, or working in San Gimignano and the Siena province. The camp will focus on engaging youth in UNESCO site management, territorial governance, and co-creating sustainable development models.
