Professor Bernd von Droste zu Hülshoff was the first Director of the UNESCO´s World Cultural Heritage Center in Paris and now works for UNESCO as an adviser on world heritage

International conventions and programs already provide protection for a number of outstanding natural features as wetlands, biosphere reserves and, in a few exceptional cases, "world heritage sites." This kaleidoscope of different terms for natural areas requiring preservation, all with different legal interpretations and degrees of protection, highlights the need for an integrated nature conservation system for the whole Elbe valley consisting of nature reserves and interlocking areas. This would create a protected area along the whole length of the Elbe, in which the places identified as part of our world heritage would stand out like glittering pearls in a long chain.

Recognition by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention often has a magnetic effect on tourism. But even more important is that the international community actually ensures that the heritage is protected and cared for, so that important natural and cultural assets are preserved for future generations. Many signatory states of the World Heritage Convention seek to polish their international image by doing exemplary work to preserve their natural and cultural heritage. Experience has shown that pressure from international media and the so-called "reputation factor" are highly efficient tools for preserving world heritage. For example, the authorities behind a massive building project planned in Potsdam, which would have adversely affected the Palace of Sanssouci, relented at the last minute in order to avoid being put on the World Heritage´s "Red List."

The First international Elbe Swimmingday certainly confirmed the close bond existing between the riverside population and their river, and also that the strong support for an unspoiled Elbe River is producing a better quality of life. But public appreciation of the importance of maintaining or regenerating ecological systems in the Elbe´s catchment area as a crucial feature of plans for protection against flooding and as a long-term investment is still too low. A lot of educational and sensitization input will be needed in order to project the image of a living Elbe as one of Europe´s few remaining unspoiled rivers - not just locally, but also at the national, European and international level. One crucial requirement is to achieve a high degree of environmental awareness and commitment to the care of natural assets among younger generations. They will have to be educated to become tomorrow´s protectors of our world heritage.

The listed regions are invariably sections of a far longer river valley. The problem is that areas of scenic beauty in river valleys normally lie along a long corridor in which a whole host of players, especially municipalities, are involved, and may also cross state or national frontiers. The natural reserve systems urgently need to network and integrate their efforts. All of the political instances, from local up to national level, must pull together.

It can upgrade a region considerably. Many tourist organizations specialize in marketing UNESCO World Heritage regions with special offers for tourists seeking unique travel destinations. The Elbe valley could obtain synergistic benefits from its blend of UNESCO Cultural Heritage features and natural scenic beauty. This would attract and form durable links with people interested in both culture and regions of natural beauty.

The case of the Dessau-Wörlitz garden landscape demonstrates how World Heritage can make a crucial contribution to a region´s development. Culturally and ecologically sensitive tourism can help create secure jobs and incomes in a place recognized by the World Heritage Convention, thus benefiting the whole region.