UNESCO: The Emergence of the Ideals of Peace and World Heritage

World Heritage designation, intended to foster peace and international cooperation, can paradoxically exacerbate geopolitical tensions. This study examines the case of the Temple of Preah Vihear in Cambodia, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2008, which became embroiled in a sovereignty dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. The research analyzes the UNESCO Convention (1972) as an instrument of international relations, revealing how heritage recognition can trigger conflicts beyond cultural preservation. The study relies on UNESCO archives, digital platforms like UNESDOC, and legal proceedings from the International Court of Justice to argue that the ideal of peace promoted by UNESCO may be undermined when heritage sites become symbols of territorial disputes.

Radun, D. F., Sossai, F. C., & Coelho, I. (2022). UNESCO: The Emergence of the Ideals of Peace and World Heritage. Contexto Internacional, 44(3). https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-8529.20224403e2020134