UNESCO Heritage Programme – Penang Island

The Malaysian National Commission for UNESCO (MNCU) organised the UNESCO Heritage Programme for Penang Island on 27 April 2024, held at two UNESCO-recognised sites: the George Town World Heritage Site and the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve.

The programme began with a heritage trail, during which H.E. Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education and President of MNCU, visited significant sites throughout the Historical City of George Town with students and teachers.

H.E. Fadhlina Sidek then inaugurated the officiating ceremony at The Habitat, Penang Hill. Also present were senior officials from the Ministry of Education Malaysia, the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve management by the Penang Hill Corporation, the management of George Town World Heritage Incorporated for the George Town World Heritage Site, and The Habitat Penang Hill management. The programme was further enriched by the participation of students and teachers from schools around Penang Island and stakeholders related to the empowerment of cultural and environmental heritage.

This was the second programme from the UNESCO Heritage Programme series, following its initial launch in Melaka on 16 February 2024. These programmes are not just about cultivating a sense of pride and appreciation for Malaysia’s cultural, historical and natural heritage recognised by UNESCO. They also play a significant role in integrating educational elements in the conservation efforts of these heritages, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 (SDG 2030). Importantly, they align with the Malaysia Education Development Plan (2013-2025), the National Cultural Policy 2021 (DAKEN), and the National Biological Diversity Policy (DKBK) 2022-2030, reassuring the audience about their relevance and impact.

In her speech, the Minister of Education emphasised the importance of taking pride in Malaysia’s heritage and praised the efforts to conserve these legacies for future generations. In a significant announcement, H.E. Fadhlina Sidek declared that all students under the Ministry of Education Malaysia’s purview who are passionate about edutourism should be made UNESCO ambassadors. This recognition prioritises their Learning Outside of the Classroom activities involving all the UNESCO sites in Malaysia and empowers them to play a crucial role in heritage conservation.

The programme at Penang Hill included cultural performances and guided tours around the Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve with the programme participants.

Photo Gallery of the Programme