Naga youth Akho Phira was one among the 50 young professionals from across the globe who attended the recently held UNESCO Young Professionals Forum 2024 in New Delhi.
As an integral part of the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee and in framework of the UNESCO World Heritage Education Programme, the event was hosted by the Ministry of Culture, GoI, through the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Akho Phira, a CRISP Fellow – Meghalaya, was among the 50 participants (20 from India and 30 from outside India) from 31 countries to attend the UNESCO World Heritage Young Professionals Forum held between July 14 to 23 2024 at New Delhi. Under the theme, ”World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth”, the Forum engaged the participants to enhance the expertise and capacities of the young professionals in protecting, preserving and promoting our natural and cultural World Heritage. The event was coupled by interactions with eminent speakers and visits to World Heritage sites in Delhi – Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Humanyun’s Tomb and other monuments. The Forum culminated by the presentation of the Young Professionals’ Declaration to the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam.
Akho Phira is the co-founder of the Community Library in Kigwema village. He is currently a Fellow at Centre for Research in Schemes & Policies (CRISP) working with the Government of Meghalaya in supporting the Department of School Education, Community & Rural Development and Social Welfare Department. Prior to joining CRISP, Phira was engaged with the North East Network (NEN), Nagaland for over two years. He also worked in the Development Sector through a year stint in 2019- 20 with Goonj Fellowship placed in Maharashtra working towards Community Development, Fundraising and varied initiatives. He earned an MA in Social Innovations & Entrepreneurship (MASIE) from Tamil Nadu, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree with History Honors from Nagaland.
Phira is also a member of the Global Shapers Kohima Hub.
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About the World Heritage Young Professional Forum:
The Forum serves as a platform by bringing young people and heritage experts together to foster intercultural learning and exchange. It also provides an opportunity for the youth to meet and learn about each other’s heritage, discuss common concerns in preservation and discover new roles for themselves in heritage conservation. Each Forum is focused on a specific topic linked to World Heritage and aligned with the context of the World Heritage properties of the Host Country.
