Designation as Texas’ first World Heritage Site has been a major boost to tourism.

The City of San Antonio and the Archdiocese agree that the status of the Spanish Colonial Missions as United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization designated World Heritage Sites is not expected to be affected by the decision of the Trump administration to withdraw the U.S. from UNESCO, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.

“All of the members of our committee who worked so hard on the designation are concerned that the United States is pulling out, we don’t want them to,” said Fr. David Garcia, who is the Archdiocesan Director of the Missions, which are still working Catholic parishes.

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The Trump Administration’s war on science has intensified with the announcement that the US is withdrawing from UNESCO, the international organization that works to promote peace & security through international cooperation on education, science and cultural programs. 

Founded in 1945, when nations were seeking ways to rebuild educational systems and cultural connections in the immediate aftermath of World War II, UNESCO today is a leading multi-lateral organization working on a range of issues crucial for achieving peace, equity and sustainability world-wide.

“Every day, countless Americans and American communities pour their time and their hearts into UNESCO-led international collaborations on science, on education and on culture” says Andrew Potts who practices cultural heritage law at Nixon Peabody LLP.  They work on preventing violent extremism via youth education, on literacy and educating women and girls, on science for development, and on free speech and journalist safety. 

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