Bernd von Droste

Dr. Bernd. von Droste, joined UNESCO in 1973 after a university career in Munich where he was teaching regional planning and carrying out research as an ecologist. From 1983 to 1991 he directed Unesco’s division of ecological sciences. In addition he assumed responsibility as secretary general of the intergovernmental programme on Man and the Biosphere (MAB), as secretary for the natural part of the World Heritage Convention and director of the quarterly Nature and Resources. He is founding director of the prestigious Unesco World Heritage Center which he established in 1992 and directed until 1999. At the same time he was secretary general of the World heritage convention, member of the Unesco General Directorate and founding director of the World Heritage Journal which he launched in 1996. He also worked as consultants for the World Bank, UNDP, The European Union, The German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), The Netherland Fund in Trust, The German Environment Aid Organisation (DUH) and The World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Dr. Bernd. von Droste is member of several learned societies and professional bodies, including INTECOL (The International Association of Ecologists), IUFRO (The International Association of Forest Research Organisations) and CNPPA (World Conservation Union, Committee for Protected Areas). He published more than 200 articles, including several books mainly dealing with heritage conservation, cultural landscapes, ecology, forestry and sustainable development issues.