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The International Conference on World Heritage Earth Heritage took place at the World Heritage site, the Dorset and East Devon Coast, U.K., from 7 to 11 September 2004. It focused on exploring geological and geomorphological conservation (geodiversity) in an international context. The meeting was attended by about 100 participants; many of them site managers from geological World Heritage sites. Among various side events, the first meeting on Mid-Atlantic Ridge took place. It was attended by representatives from Iceland, Norway, Acores/Porgual, JNCC, IUCN, and UNESCO staff members (SC/GEO and CLT/WHC. The meeting identified the need for a more detailed review of the potential heritage values of the MAR through an expert meeting and development of a strategy for international co-operation in respect of a possible serial trans-boundary nomination for the MAR.

On the 22nd May 2009, over 60 young people from across the UK will be meeting in Lyme Regis for the first UK UNESCO Youth Summit to discuss and debate World Heritage in the 21st century. The young people will be representing 11 different sites from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and one overseas territory, Bermuda.

The young people have been selected to participate through a nationwide competition, organized by the UK National Commission for UNESCO in partnership with the Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage site (also know as the Jurassic Coast). Groups of young people were invited to submit entries that expressed how they felt about their local World Heritage site. The competition's aim was find the most enthusiastic and creative young people to represent their nominated World Heritage site. Winning entries included poems, short films and posters, all communicating how the young people felt about the nation's internationally outstanding heritage. Each Youth Delegation will present their winning entry to the other attendees at the Summit.

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage in Young Hands Programme, the UK World Heritage Youth Summit will be a unique opportunity for the young participants to put forward their views and visions on the conservation of World Heritage sites and how they should engage with young people that live on their boundaries. In particular, teachers who will be accompanying their pupils will be encouraged to help their schools join the international UNESCO Associated Schools which has a growing network in the UK.

Eleven sites are represented at the Youth Summit:

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape
Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications, Bermuda
St Kilda's
Dorset and East Devon coast
Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast
Frontiers of the Roman Empire
Stonehenge, Avebury, and Associated Sites
City of Bath
Darwins Landscape Laboratory
Lake District
Chatham and Naval Dockyard

Two creative directors, Renell Shaw and Yao Adu, will be facilitating the Youth Summit with the objective of creating an output from the day that represents the voice of Young People in the UK. This will then go forward to be shown at the UNESCO World Heritage International Youth Forum held prior to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting in Seville, Spain.

After the Youth Summit, those groups staying on will have a chance to explore 'Evolution Rocks' the 4th Lyme Regis Fossil Festival which offers an eclectic mix of inspiring arts and science events involving the Natural History Museum and many other partners.

The Youth Summit has been sponsored by a range of partners including the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, UK National Commission for UNESCO, Dorset and Devon County Councils, Department of the Environment - Northern Ireland, National Trust for Scotland, Hadrian's Wall World Heritage, Dorset Cereals and Clipper Teas.

The UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network was founded in 1953, the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet), commonly referred to as UNESCO Associated Schools, is a global network of more than 8.500 educational institutions in 179 countries.

Member institutions ranging from pre-schools, primary, secondary and vocational schools to teacher training institutions - work in support of international understanding, peace, intercultural dialogue, sustainable development and quality education in practice.