Tuesday 5 November 2024 | 10:59

Final event of project CHOICE – Paving the way to European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018

14.06.2017  |  Society
Final event of project CHOICE – Paving the way to European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018

The final event of the two-year EU funded project “CHOICE - Cultural Heritage: Opportunity for Improving Civic Engagement” was held on 6 June at the Committee of the Regions, in Brussels.

The event was organized by ALDA with the support of the network European cities and regions for culture - LIKE. President of ALDA, Oriano Otočan, opened the meeting, stating that projects on culture strongly impact on local development across Europe, especially in less wealthy areas. “Through this project ALDA continues to contribute to social and economic local development, coupling it with civic participation. Being ALDA particularly result oriented, I wish you to strengthen cooperation and develop further projects together" concluded Otočan.

Sinziana Poiana, Civil Society Policy Officer - Neighbourhood East, confirmed the support of the European Commission toward the issue of preservation of cultural heritage, and recognized the need to find the missing part in the communication between civil society and the government.

Partners from four countries in the Eastern partnership (Armenia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova) presented the results and impact of the project in their countries. CHOICE mobilized a significant number of people who believe that cultural heritage needs protection; our mini projects have influenced local communities by involving different local and national stakeholders. From the Rock festival in the depressed, post-industrial city of Vanadzor in Armenia, to digitalization of cultural heritage in Ukraine; from forming a "mythopoetic" perception of the town and its historical centre among the residents of Oshmyany in Belarus, to the Crossroads of Cultures Through the Lenses of Young Photographers from Moldova and Armenia, participants of the meeting had observed the whole variety of results of the project.

As a matter of fact, in each of the countries part of the project, CHOICE became an acronym for protection of cultural heritage and empowerment of local communities. Our main achievement is the network created, and its human capital – more than 30 projects, involving more than 50 organizations and hundreds of people. Active citizens living in the communities hosting cultural heritage sites and items are now trained to protect them, and to spread their knowledge.

On the policy level, our project achieved to be the bridge between governments and communities. Policy papers created in the frame of the project are examples of inclusive work of experts, community leaders and policy makers.

The meeting was also the occasion to discuss issues related to policies of the EU and Eastern Partnership countries. Among the panellists Margaux Rouchet from LIKE - Network of European cities and regions for culture, Tim Williams of the Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity program, and Jozef Van Waeyenberge, Director of Europa Nostra Belgium, together with experts from the countries involved – Vera Erhan from Moldova, Zoryana Rybchynska from Ukraine, and Mikhal Anempadzistau from Belarus. Speakers highlighted the crucial role of local authorities for the protection of cultural heritage, since work with local communities makes the heritage understandable and accessible to people. Local authorities should therefore also play a major role in policy dialogue. In this sense, the project CHOICE became an example of community mobilization through cultural heritage, and its actions can be replicated in other countries.

Panel discussions were followed by the exhibition – handcraft from Armenia, ceramics from Moldova, photos and many other materials from Ukraine and Belarus, colourfully showcasing the results of project CHOICE.

Next year, 2018 will be the European Year of Cultural Heritage. "Our cultural heritage is more than the memory of our past; it is the key to our future. A European Year of Cultural Heritage will be an opportunity to raise awareness on the social and economic importance of cultural heritage and to promote European excellence in the sector" stated EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics. We believe that our project CHOICE anticipated this process and was it preparatory phase, and that it will further stimulate discussion and exchange.

All partners of CHOICE will continue working to support cultural heritage in the enlarged Europe. It was a long and enriching journey together, and we wish it will develop further joint initiatives!

____________________________________________________________________________

The International Project "CHOICE - Cultural Heritage: Opportunity for Improving Civic Engagement" is implemented by the Association of Local Democracy Agencies ALDA (France) in conjunction with the International Consortium EuroBelarus (Lithuania).

Other news section «Society»

What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?
What actually the State List of Historical and Cultural Values gives to Belarusan Heritage Sites?
The Belarus Committee of ICOMOS announces the collection of cases on the effectiveness of the State List of Historical and Cultural Values as a tool of the safeguarding the cultural monuments.
The right to heritage according to the standards of the Faro Convention: is it possible in Belarus?
The right to heritage according to the standards of the Faro Convention: is it possible in Belarus?
On March 27-28, the Belarus ICOMOS and the EuroBelarus held an online expert workshop on expanding opportunities for community participation in the governance of historical and cultural heritage.
“It is our big joint work”
“It is our big joint work”
It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.
The “Agenda 50” campaign was finalised by the Regional Development Forum
The “Agenda 50” campaign was finalised by the Regional Development Forum
The Forum was devoted not so much to the outputs as to the challenges and prospects after the creation and signing of local agendas.
Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool
Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool
To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.
“If a person cannot leave the apartment, he or she does not need an accessible Opera House”
“If a person cannot leave the apartment, he or she does not need an accessible Opera House”
In Stoubcy, they talked about universal design and conducted pilot monitoring of two urban sites accessibility.
Local agenda in Valożyn: mission accomplished
Local agenda in Valożyn: mission accomplished
"Specificity is different, but the priority is general." In Valożyn, a local strategy for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
How Ščučyn was proceeding towards the solution of problems of people with disabilities
How Ščučyn was proceeding towards the solution of problems of people with disabilities
The campaign "Agenda 50" was summed up in Ščučyn, and a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed there.
A program to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities was designed in Stolin
A program to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities was designed in Stolin
The regional center has become the second city in Belarus where the local plan for the implementation of the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was signed.
“Agenda 50” in Belarus: from strategies to implementation
“Agenda 50” in Belarus: from strategies to implementation
Representatives of the campaign “Agenda 50” from five pilot cities discussed achievements in creating local agendas for implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In Stoubcy, a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention was signed
In Stoubcy, a local action plan for the implementation of the Convention was signed
It is noteworthy that out of the five pilot cities, Stoubcy was the last to join the campaign “Agenda 50”, but the first one to complete the preparation of the local agenda.
The monitoring of accessibility was presented in Stolin
The monitoring of accessibility was presented in Stolin
On May 28, the city hosted a presentation of the results of the project "Equal to Equal" which was dedicated to monitoring the barrier-free environment in the city.
“They think if the legs don’t function, neither functions the head.”
“They think if the legs don’t function, neither functions the head.”
In Babruysk, wheelchair users are fighting discrimination.
The real work of the Convention depends on all interested communities and organizations
The real work of the Convention depends on all interested communities and organizations
What results has the campaign "Agenda 50" given, what helps to implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the regions?
The Convention is a fight against fears, barriers and stigmata
The Convention is a fight against fears, barriers and stigmata
Experts in Valožyn have determined that the quality of people’s life depends on their awareness.
The Convention should become a "living tool”, rather than remaining just an ordinary document
The Convention should become a "living tool”, rather than remaining just an ordinary document
On March 3, members of the campaign "Agenda 50" from different Belarusian cities met in Minsk. The campaign is aimed at the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The main thing is one’s personal motivation for full active life (PHOTOS)
The main thing is one’s personal motivation for full active life (PHOTOS)
There are being implemented three projects under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities campaign in the city of Babruysk.
One man does not make a team, but united we are able to do a lot
One man does not make a team, but united we are able to do a lot
In Ščučyn, people with disabilities learned to be leaders and to advocate their interests.
Barrier-free environment – it is not a ramp, but a means of independence (PHOTOS)
Barrier-free environment – it is not a ramp, but a means of independence (PHOTOS)
In Stolin, social organizations and local authorities are implementing a project aimed at independent living of persons with disabilities, and creating local agenda for the district.
Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”
Polish experts: We say “equality” and you say “inclusion”
Will creation of local agendas be an effective tool in ensuring rights of persons with disabilities in Belarus, just as it was in Poland?
Gintautas Mažeikis: The relation of political field and arena in the framework of information war

In his report, philosopher Gintautas Mažeikis discusses several concepts that have been a part of the European social and philosophical thought for quite a time.

“It is our big joint work”

It is impossible to change life in cities just in three years (the timeline of the “Agenda 50” campaign implementation). But changing the structure of relationships in local communities is possible.

Shhh! Belarus Wants You to Think It’s Turning Over a New Leaf

Minsk’s muddled media clampdown could jeopardize warming of relations with the West.

Mikhail Matskevich: How to create a local agenda and make it a problem solving tool

To achieve changes, you need to be interested in them and stop pinning all hopes on the state.