CHILDREN from across the UK will visit Torfaen later this year to take part in the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Youth Summit 2015.

The youth summit, which is held every few years at one of the country’s 28 World Heritage sites, aims to promote understanding between cultures and communities, and ensure that the protection and promotion of World Heritage sites continues into the future.

It will be held over three days in October at the Blaenavon World Heritage site and around 200 children will travel to Torfaen for the event.

The theme of the summit is using World Heritage to create social innovation and change, and will focus on Blaenavon as an example where World Heritage status has helped to regenerate an area and turn it into an international tourist attraction.

Torfaen’s heritage officer, Ashleigh Taylor, said: “This will also be a unique opportunity for young people in Torfaen to learn more about their local heritage and its global importance.”

The council has also made a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £60,000 to develop a youth ambassador scheme that will run alongside the summit.

The scheme aims to empower young people, developing their skills sets and give them greater opportunities when they look for work.

The youth ambassadors will also play a key part in facilitating the summit.

Leader of Torfaen council and chair of the Blaenavon Partnership, Councillor Bob Wellington, said: “The Blaenavon World Heritage site has been a catalyst for regenerating the town of Blaenavon, creating local jobs and putting Torfaen on the map as a tourist destination.

"We have a lot that we can share with other World Heritage Sites across the world and this summit will give us an opportunity to do this"