Dr Ray Bondin was the invited guest speaker on the importance of the sites in Sicily which are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The one-day seminar, which was very well attended, was organised by the Comune of Syracuse. The deputy mayor of Syracuse, Fabio Granata, described Dr Bondin as the best expert on UNESCO sites in Sicily and praised his work in relation to various sites there.

He stated that it was thanks to his work that the sites have improved their management systems and have collaborated more between themselves.

As a result of the meeting a UNESCO site committee was formed. Various other representatives of cities, including the mayors of Modica and Noto, praised Dr Bondin’s work.

In his speech Dr Bondin spoke about the work that needed to be done to ensure that these sites are well managed and protected. He also spoke about the danger of continuing the search for gas and oil even if far away from the UNESCO-recognised sites.

Later in the evening he was also an invited to address a public consultation meeting held in Noto precisely on the question of oil drilling in Sicily.