ISLAMABAD, April 25: United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) launched an Urdu version of a book, “World Heritage in Young Hands”, here on Thursday to familiarize the teachers and children with their cultural heritage.

The book was launched at a seminar titled “Libraries and reading habits in the digital age”, organized by Pakistan Libraries Association Federal Branch and Unesco office in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Unesco country representative Ingeborge Brienes said translating the book into Urdu was a tough task, with many linguistic challenges. The interactive and multidisciplinary approach of the resource kit will give the young people an opportunity to understand the richness of their culture and to be involved in protecting and preserving their heritage, while learning to respect other cultures, she maintained.

She said the kit would be an important instrument to familiarize young people throughout the country with the World Heritage Convention on its 30th anniversary.

Ms Brienes said the kit was a part of the project, “Young People’s Participation in World Heritage Preservation and Promotion”, launched in all parts of the world, with the financial support of NORAD, Rhone-Poulenc Foundation, the World Heritage Fund and Unesco’s Regular Programme.

“Our aim is to fully participate in this programme through the Associated Schools Project Network (ASP-net) in Pakistan and the Pakistan National Commission for Unesco, with assistance from relevant or interested donors and with cooperation of the Unesco Headquarters.”