The Fifth International Seminar of FORUM UNESCO - UNIVERSITY AND HERITAGE
Living World Heritage: The Shared Ethical Responsibilities of Universities
Lebanese American University, Byblos and Beirut, Lebanon.

The Fifth International Seminar of Forum UNESCO - University and Heritage took place in two historic cities, Byblos and Beirut, in Lebanon, from 11 to 15 December 2000. This meeting was organized by the Lebanese American University and UNESCO.

Forum UNESCO - University and Heritage, an international network grouping universities concerned with the issue of heritage from a multidisciplinary approach, aims at promoting the commitment of researchers, professors and students to the protection and the valorization of both tangible and intangible heritage. The objectives of this network have been defined as follows:

This Fifth International Seminar of Forum UNESCO was an opportunity for academics, professionals and others involved in the preservation and study of cultural heritage around the globe to meet and discuss new ideas and practices concerning awareness and preservation of the different forms of cultural heritage.

The Seminar was developed in continuing partnership with ICOMOS, ICCROM, ICOM, IFLA and UIA, and stressed the importance of co-operation with other universities, both regional and international, and with practitioners involved in the preservation of heritage.

The many objectives included the  development of a Forum UNESCO charter to consecrate and organize international co-operation, particularly North/South, and help in the dissemination of information through regional junction points, as well as the selection and publication of projects which meet these objectives under the auspices of Forum UNESCO.