In the field of “All Tourist” Erasmus+ Project, Tuesday, November 21 the meeting “Capacity building, development and strengthening: Heritage Pedagogy and Social Tourism. Awareness raising and audit meeting” took place in Piombino in collaboration with Parchi Val di Cornia and Feisct – European Federation Historical, Cultural and Tourist Routes, with the participation of delegates of various Italian regions that are part of the Phoenicians’ Route and a journalist (PleinAir Magazine), a media partner of many initiatives of the route.
The meeting focused on the operational methodologies for integrated and sustainable development of territories. It refers to the Faro Convention that introduces a wider and more innovative concept of “inheritance-cultural heritage”, considered “a group of resources inherited from the past which people identify, independently of ownership, as a reflection and expression of their constantly evolving values, beliefs, knowledge and traditions” (art. 2) and of “heritage community”, that is “people who value specific aspects of cultural heritage which they wish, within the framework of public action, to sustain and transmit to future generations” (art. 2).
The goals of the Convention are clear and, in particular, it aims to:
a. recognise that rights relating to cultural heritage are inherent in the right to participate in cultural life, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
b. recognise individual and collective responsibility towards cultural heritage;
c. emphasise that the conservation of cultural heritage and its sustainable use have human development and quality of life as their goal;
d. take the necessary steps to apply the provisions of this Convention concerning:
- the role of cultural heritage in the construction of a peaceful and democratic society, and in the processes of sustainable development and the promotion of cultural diversity;
- greater synergy of competencies among all the public, institutional and private actors concerned”.
Therefore, the citizens are the main actors, for which it is necessary “to improve access to the heritage, especially among young people and the disadvantaged, in order to raise awareness about its value, the need to maintain and preserve it and the benefits which may be derived from it” (art. 12).
The Faro Convention also considers the individual and collective right “to benefit from the cultural heritage and to contribute towards its enrichment” (art. 4) and it highlights the importance that the cultural heritage aims to the enrichment of “the processes of economic, political, social and cultural development and land-use planning” (art. 8).
The present technicians brought their contributions in terms of ideas and experiences on issues related to Heritage Pedagogy, communicative interpretation, responsible, experiential and slow tourism, accessibility and creativity. In addition, the subjects of governance, integrated communication, cultural, touristic and educational activities of 2018/2020 have been discussed.
Particular attention was paid to the analysis of models of “Smart Ways” and Interpretation Centres that the Phoenicians’ Route has deliberated during the last two General Assemblies 2016/2017, and to the professional figure of territorial facilitator, assessment object of “All Tourist” Project.
The reflection now goes to the meeting in Spain that will be held next week in Ibiza.
