ABSTRACT
The World Heritage Convention gathered strength as it evolved through years of implementation, from the outset to the year 2000. Its rising popularity confirmed the interest and need for an international conservation instrument to look after those places of greatest value to the world. Through key policy and site-specific decisions, the World Heritage system affected the way that heritage values were perceived and conservation strategies were formulated. In terms of overall assessment of the World Heritage Convention from its inception until the 2000 reforms, strengths and shortcomings became more apparent as implementation unfolded. Some troubling issues include the structural design of the listing process, inadequate resources for international assistance, inappropriate mass tourism and creeping politicization. On the other hand, the success in fostering a global conversation and the development of new dimensions to heritage theory and practice are achievements on a grand scale. Sites of conscience commemorate the darker side of human behaviour and usually arouse strong passions.
