The World Monuments Watch is a flagship advocacy program of the New York-based private non-profit organization World Monuments Fund (WMF) that calls international attention to cultural heritage around the world that is threatened by neglect, vandalism, conflict, or disaster.[1]
Every two years, it publishes a select list known as the Watch List of Endangered Sites that are in urgent need of preservation funding and protection. The sites are nominated by governments, conservation professionals, site caretakers, non-government organizations (NGOs), concerned individuals, and others working in the field.[1] An independent panel of international experts then select 100 candidates from these entries to be part of the Watch List, based on the significance of the sites, the urgency of the threat, and the viability of both advocacy and conservation solutions.[1] For the succeeding two-year period until a new Watch List is published, these 100 sites can avail grants and funds from the WMF, as well as from other foundations, private donors, and corporations by capitalizing on the publicity and attention gained from the inclusion on the Watch List.[2]
The 2018 World Monuments Watch List of Endangered Sites was announced on October 16, 2017 by WMF President Joshua David.[1] The 2018 Watch List highlights the threats to cultural heritage sites posed by human conflict, natural disaster, climate change, and urbanization.[1]
^ A. Names and spellings used for the sites were based on the official 2018 Watch List as published.
^ B. The references to the sites' locations and periods of construction were based on the official 2018 Watch List as published.
