Heart’s Content UNESCO Community Rural Development Committee
Mandate
To identify, discuss, foster, and execute community projects and services from a municipal as well as a regional perspective related to the designation of the Heart’s Content and Valentia Cable Stations as UNESCO World Heritage Sites that will stimulate economic growth, enhance the well-being of residents and develop world-class visitor experiences.
To keep Heart’s Content, communities on the Baccalieu Coastal Drive area and key stakeholders informed and current on all developments.
To develop high quality interpretation of the Heart’s Content story and promote public awareness of how the Atlantic Cable linking Hearts Content, CA and Valentia, IE changed the world.
To further collaboration between Hearts Content, CA and Valentia, IE on shared celebrations and other joint opportunities arising from the UNESCO designation.
To develop a new meaningful visitor experience for residents and visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador.
Action
A planning session will be held with stakeholders in early 2024 to set priorities for new community projects and investments in preparation for the UNESCO designation.
The committee will work with Gov NL on capacity building funding to hold a planning session building on previous planning including the Mills and Wright report and the Municipal Plan.
UNESCO Committee Members
- Clarence Brown – Co-Chair, Councilor for Town of Heart’s Content
- Glenda Hiscock – Co-Chair, Deputy Mayor for Town of Heart’s Content
- Tolson Rendell – Councilor for Town of Heart’s Content
- Hank Whalen – Councilor for Town of Heart’s Content
- Ted Rowe – Heart’s Content Community Development Corp.
- Dave Lough – Heart’s Content Community Development Corp.
- Ed Arnott – Mizzen Heritage Society
- Paulette Cumby – Mizzen Heritage Society
- Scott Andrews – Provincial Historic Sites
- Tara Bishop – Manager, Heart’s Content Cable Station Museum
- Nancy Robbins – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
- Dave Coffin – Industry, Energy and Technology
- Jeff Pittman – Industry, Energy and Technology
- Lucy Always – Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
- Alex Williams – Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
- Legendary Coasts
- Hospitality NL
Important step made in efforts to gain UNESCO World Heritage Status for Valentia
An important step has been made in efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for Valentia Island.
The 19th century construction of the transatlantic cable between Valentia and Heart’s Content in Newfoundland, Canada was ground-breaking in the history of global communications.
On a visit to Valentia, the Minister of Tourism and Culture for Newfoundland and Labrador signed a memorandum of understanding with Irish representatives including Kerry County Council.
