Approaches to Change - Universal values at local scale: The example of the Swiss Alps World Natural Heritage Site. Presented by Karina Liechti at the "Perth II: Global Change and the World's Mountains" conference in Perth, Scotland in September 2010.

1. APPROACHES TO CHANGE
UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE
The example of the Swiss Alps World Natural Heritage Site
Karina Liechti
Centre for Development and Environment CDE
University of Bern, Switzerland

2. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
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3. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Natural landscape
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Cultural landscape 3

4. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
WH Sites as sites of universal value
“Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what
we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage
are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. […]. What
makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal
application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the
world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.”
(UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2010)
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5. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Universal values of the Swiss Alps WHS
The justification for inscription of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region in
the list of World Natural Heritage Sites 2001 was threefold:
(1) The region covers the most glaciated part of the Alps, containing Europe‟s
largest glacier and a range of classic glacial features, and it provides an
outstanding geological record of the uplift and compression that formed the
High Alps.
(2) A range of alpine and sub-alpine habitats harbor a great diversity of wildlife,
and plant colonization in the wake of retreating glaciers provides an
excellent example of plant succession.
(3) The impressive vista of the north wall of the High Alps has played an
important role in European tourism, literature, and art.
(UNESCO World Heritage Centre 2003)
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6. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Universal values of the Swiss Alps WHS
Glacial features Range of habitats Role in tourism
 Universal values: How are they reflected at local scale?
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7. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Data
Universal values: How are they reflected at local scale?
Our data
> Controversial debates at the forefront of the World Heritage candidature
 Analysis of media coverage 1998-2001 (newspaper)
> Participatory process after the inscription into the World Heritage List
(2003-2005)
 Active participation in its setting, carrying though, and analysis
> Outlook to the situation today
 observer (since 2005)
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8. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Debate in the media 1998-2001
Walliser Bote (WB) - newspaper
> general articles (76)
> letters to the editor (26)
> political forums (12)
> comments (8)
 Uniqueness of the region never questioned (neither by proponents or
opponents of the inscription of the region into the World Heritage List)
 Uniqueness is mainly related to the beauty of the region
“This unique landscape is formed by wind, coldness, sun and the powerful
flow of the glacier. Fauna and flora cover this landscape in every season,
so that it bristles with beauty” (WB, letter to the editor, 09/03/2000).
 Complex interrelationships in an ecosystem, biodiversity, and issues such
as climate change were rarely a subject of discussion, even though they
finally were the criteria for the inscription as a WHS
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9. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Controversial debate in the media
Generalized characteristic statements (+/- : in favour/against the WHS)
1 Aesthetics The region‟s natural beauty is unique and
irreplaceable. (+/-)
2 Expropriation Outsiders will prevent local people from taking their
own decisions about the future of the region. (-)
3 Loss of income Expansion of infrastructure and related economic
development will be impeded. (-)
4 Increase of income The provision of an unspoiled landscape will
generate additional income for the region. (+)
5 Endangered humans Natural dangers (wolves, avalanches etc.) will
threaten our way of life. (-)
6 Endangered nature The unique ecosystem should remain untouched
and needs protection. (+)
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10. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Sustainability debate - future generations
Future generations and their welfare were most important for both parties.
> Supporters argued that the status of the area should be kept as it was:
unspoiled. They referred to ecology, which should not be compromised:
“The unique landscape in the Aletsch region is not interchangeable just as
you like […]. It has an inestimable value. Coming generations will be
thankful for this”. (WB, comment, 09/03/2000)
> Opponents argued that economic restrictions would follow inscription on
the WH list. Their arguments referred to the economy, which should not be
compromised:
“It is our uppermost duty to keep [infrastructural] extension possibilities
open in order to provide future generations a secure livelihood”. (WB, general
article, 02/04/1998)
“Nature protection alone is not enough – our descendants also want to eat
and to drink”. (WB, comment 07/03/2000)
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11. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Sustainability debate - future generations
Opponents present the creation of a WHS as a sign of mistrust of the coming
generations:
“The big restrictions caused by sustainable development approaches and
by taking over regulations from the UNESCO can be enormous for all
circles concerned, depending on their economic development. Do we not
trust the coming generations? Do we think that they are unable to care for
this region?”.
(WB, letter to the editor, 04/03/2000)
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12. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Sustainability debate – former generations
Reference to the efforts of past generations
> The supporters of the World Heritage candidature saw inscription as the
„gold medal‟ for past nature protection measures.
“Inscription on the WH list is an award for efforts and achievements in
protecting this unique landscape”. (WB, letter to the editor, 09/03/2000)
> Opponents argued that responsibility could be carried by the local people
alone, as it always was. Past generations maintained the landscape in a
sustainable way without any label ordering them to do so.
“Our ancestors have cared for the region, protected it, used it and placed it
to the tourism‟s disposal. We have taken this region over with care and
have continued using it under the motto of nature, environment, guests,
and wanderers, up to now”. (WB, letter to the editor, 04/03/2000).
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13. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
The Charter of Konkordiaplatz
“We are proud that our Jungfrau-Aletsch-
Bietschhorn region has been nominated
for inscription in the UNESCO World
Heritage List. This nomination testifies to
our past efforts – undertaken in
conjunction with the cantonal and
federal authorities, the regions and
environmental associations – to protect,
conserve and enhance this landscape.
This charter is an expression of our
determination to continue to seek and to
promote sustainable landscape
development. The inclusion of the region
on the list of UNESCO World Heritage
sites would be a mark of international
recognition for these endeavours”.
(Charter of Konkordiaplatz 2001)
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14. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
After the inscription into the WH list
Core group
Participatory process
Preparatory Workshop
Canton Berne Canton Valais
Core group
FORUM A FORUM A
Objectives Objectives
Core group
FORUM B FORUM B
Measures Measures
Core group
FORUM C FORUM C
Actions Actions
Core group
Final Meeting
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15. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Controversies remain…
Maintenance of current 1.
Objectives
conservation status
1 2. Reinforcement of nature
100%
protection
Actor categories
8 2 3. Preservation of current
cultural landscape
Agriculture/forestry
Tourism 4. Increased economic use of
Nature conservation space and resources
7 50% 3
Transport/craft/trade 5. Improved planning for
Education/culture
regional development
Public administration
6. Sensitization and
6 4 awareness creation
7. Enhancement of regional
5 resource cycles
8. Concerted promotion and
 External actors can afford to pronounce very broad objectives regarding the
marketing
environmental functions and values of a specific region. These values are related to
the „universal values‟ that were given as reason for the inscription into the World
Heritage List.
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16. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Achievements of the participatory process
> the momentum of the inscription
could be carried on
> a common product in the form of a
Management Plan was elaborated
> several projects were developed
by local people and partly
implemented
> ownership could be created
However
> Structural changes, new
leadership, consolidation of the
Management Centre and
administration are time consuming Do local views/values have an
> Implementation of concrete adequate impact in the
activities takes a long time, which concretisation of the WHS?
partly leads to disappointment and
withdrawal of local participants Do only the „universal values‟
prevail?
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17. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Policy implications
Include the “After-participatory-process-phase” into planning
OR see the process as a “Long term participation”
 Reflect on how to keep momentum
Research gap
 Reflect on how to include local views/values
(projects, ideas) into the implementation phase Research gap
- Keep contact with local people
- Implement some projects fast
- Is there adequate funding for local projects?
 Reflect on how to create an atmosphere that Research gap
motivates local people to take the initiative
(creating ownership) and how to support those
initiatives
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18. UNIVERSAL VALUES AT LOCAL SCALE - The example of the Swiss Alps World Heritage Site
Thank you for your attention
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