The first European Heritage Hub Educational Study Visit was successfully organised at University College Dublin College of Arts and Humanities on 12 February 2025, in cooperation with Hub partner KU Leuven and the Una Europa Alliance. More than 60 participants registered for the event, kicking off a series of educational visits at Una Europa universities that aim at fostering the active involvement of young heritage students, researchers, and professionals in the sector and providing them with meaningful education, training, volunteering, and networking opportunities.
Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin, College Principal, UCD College of Arts and Humanities, welcomed the participants, recalling the strategic importance of culture and heritage for Europe: “Everybody here has something to contribute to the debate, progression, acknowledgement, and growth of heritage for Europe, and how we shape it for the future.”
Following a presentation of the European Heritage Hub pilot project and its youth-oriented activities by Manon Richard, Project Manager, and Jasna Popovic, ESACH Secretary, an inspirational speech was given by Simon O’Connor, Director of the Museum of Literature Ireland and member of the European Heritage Awards Selection Committee. He emphasised the importance of culture and heritage to communities, noting that safeguarding these is an act of social inclusion, and as such, of protest against the various attacks on democracy and values in Europe and beyond.
Students were also addressed by Anne Grady, Head Cultural Heritage Advisor, Seconded National Expert to the European Parliament, who gave an overview of the EU policy context on culture and heritage and explained the work of the European Parliament, especially through its CULT Committee. She recalled the unprecedented mobilisation created by the European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018 and how the European Heritage Hub is sustaining this legacy. Some examples of projects shared were the European Capitals of Culture, the LUX Audience Award, and the European Youth Event.
Insights from the panel discussion with local heritage experts
A following panel discussion, moderated by Jermina Stanojev, Research Coordinator at KU Leuven, focused on creativity, cultural heritage and the green transition. Expert speakers provided insights about the latest developments in the field, both from a policy and sector perspective.
Professor P.J. Mathews, Director of the Creative Futures Academy at University College Dublin, highlighted the important role of culture, creativity and heritage to reimagine our collective future and mentioned the work of UCD within the Climate KIC, focusing on creating a dialogue between the cultural and agricultural sectors.
Anna Meenan, Programme Manager of the Traditional Farm Buildings Grant Scheme at the Heritage Council Ireland, presented the well-established Traditional Farm Building Grant Scheme, which aims to raise awareness of the heritage value of these buildings and help farmers develop or safeguard both traditional and innovative local knowledge.
Aoife Brady, Head of Cultural Spaces at the Dublin City Council Culture Company, presented their work aimed at bringing more culture to neighbourhoods around Dublin. The organisation’s vision is not only to put people at the centre of its work but also to help them to engage and connect with their city, in a creative way.
Dr Nessa Roche, Senior Architectural Advisor at the National Built Heritage Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, argued that culture and heritage are related to environmental, social and economic sustainability, while culture is not yet recognised as a pillar of sustainability (e.g. within the SDGs). More metrics and data are needed to demonstrate all of these benefits and attract more funding for culture and heritage. Mentioning the work of the CHARTER project, she put forward the need for preserving crafts and upskilling, and increased interdisciplinary cooperation, training, lifelong learning, and innovative curricula.
Finally, all panellists underlined the importance of listening to the community, particularly when making decisions concerning public spaces and sustainable development restoration projects.
Four upcoming study visits under the Hub framework
A total of five visits will be held between February and April 2025. The next visit will be organised at the Jagielloński University Krakow on 7 March 2025, aiming to raise awareness among students, researchers and professionals on the role of cultural heritage in addressing some of our greatest societal challenges through practical examples and case studies.
At the end of this series of events, a practical kit will be designed by and for professors, with the view of complementing existing curricula and reinforcing cooperation within the academic sector, as well as enhancing collaboration between academia and civil society.
