The role of paradiplomacy for cultural heritage preservation: The cosmological axis of yogyakarta

Subnational paradiplomacy can effectively secure global recognition for cultural heritage while maintaining local sovereignty, as demonstrated by the successful UNESCO inscription of Yogyakarta's Cosmological Axis. This study reveals how the Yogyakarta provincial government and cultural institutions leveraged international networks, legal frameworks, and strategic negotiations to translate Javanese cosmology into a globally legible heritage framework—despite lacking formal diplomatic authority. Using qualitative methods such as field observations and in-depth interviews, researchers analyzed how these subnational actors aligned local planning with UNESCO criteria, introducing multi-layered governance dynamics. The findings highlight the agency and constraints of paradiplomacy, including its mixed impacts on governance structures, spatial planning, and community benefits, advancing debates on cultural heritage preservation in the Global South.

Rachmawati, I., Ardhanariswari, K. A., & Hendariningrum, R. (2026). The role of paradiplomacy for cultural heritage preservation: The cosmological axis of yogyakarta. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 13, 102332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102332