CALL FOR PRACTICES
Non governmental heritage organisations (can) play a crucial role in the field of heritage. Recent international heritage conventions (UNESCO, Council of Europe…) now finally fully acknowledge the importance of volunteers and civil society in protecting and safeguarding all kinds of heritage. What is happening – in practice – in your international network in Europe? Which initiatives look particularly promising?
We are urgently searching for descriptions or nominations of inspiring practices and heritage projects in Europe, in which heritage organisations (especially those working for or with volunteers) or networks in civil society play an interesting role. Do you know such good practices in your own or other European countries? Please share the information and send us a short description of such project(s), mentioning the coordinates (URL, address, …) with a motivation why you consider it as an interesting example. Of course you can present one of your own projects, practices or organisations, but we would particularly appreciate that you also draw our attention to initiatives elsewhere in Europe or in your country that merit special consideration. The most interesting examples will be discussed at the European Conference on Civil Society Organisations active in the Field of Heritage, which will be held in Mechelen, Belgium (March 23-24, 2009).
Please note these dates. This conference is sponsored by the European Commission and the Flemish government. It will be a platform for European organisations active in all fields of heritage – both tangible and intangible – to share relevant experiences, good practices and success stories.
Themes include, but are not limited to:
- support of voluntary heritage initiatives
- quality management in heritage NGOs
- visibility of heritage organisations
- creation of (international) heritage networks
- the value of cultural heritage for society
- intercultural dialogue
Please help us at this stage to identify promising, innovative or thought-provoking heritage projects in Europe. We are looking forward to receive your suggestions by September 30, 2008. Please send your suggestions to conference@heritageorganisations.eu. We will be sending important information about the conference venue, accommodation and registration in the next announcement in October 2008. All information about the conference will be available at www.heritageorganisations.eu.
