Representatives from UK UNESCO sites across the North are gathering in Bradford, the world’s first UNESCO City of Film, to learn about its film heritage and to share experience and best practice.
The two-day workshop has been convened by the UK National Commission for UNESCO in partnership with the Bradford UNESCO City of Film and the University of Bradford.
The ‘Wider Value of UNESCO to the North of England’ workshop will highlight the range of UNESCO designations in Northern England and encourage opportunities for collaboration.
Dr Beth Taylor, Chair of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, said: “It’s great to be in Bradford – home to the world’s first UNESCO City of Film and Saltaire UNESCO World Heritage Site. Both contribute outstanding work to UNESCO’s global network and help put this remarkable city on the international stage.
“With Bristol becoming the UK’s second Creative City of Film in October 2017, we look forward to learning from Bradford about how it has used UNESCO to bring communities together, create a shared identity for the city, develop local partnerships, and give global recognition to Bradford’s contribution to the film world.”
As part of the celebrations, the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Abid Hussain, will welcome UNESCO designations from across the North to a civic reception at City Hall.
Attendees will include representatives from the Lake District, the recently inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the two new UNESCO Creative Cities, Manchester (Literature) and Bristol (Film).
David Wilson, director of Bradford UNESCO City of Film, said: “When Bradford joined the Creative Cities Network as the world’s first UNESCO City of Film in 2009 there were 19 cities in the worldwide network. As of the 31 October 2017 there are now 188 cities in 72 countries!
“Here in Bradford we are using the designation in a wide range of scenarios from education through to driving inward investment and tourism. We’re proud of what we have achieved so far but realise there is so much more potential to go further.”
