In May and June 2023, HERITΛGE’s Online Summer School on Digital Tools for Cultural Heritage Management brought together 14 heritage managers from Africa, Asia, and Europe. Led by Dr. Cornelis Stal, this annual immersive program aims to equip participants with advanced skills in GIS, Photogrammetry and image-based 3D modeling, and laser scanning.
Let’s delve into the key highlights and the impact of this transformative experience.

GIS: Unlocking the Power of Spatial Data in Heritage Management

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play a crucial role in cultural heritage management. During the summer school, participants were introduced to open-source GIS software and gained insights into transforming manuscript plans into comprehensive geographical databases. The importance of cartography in heritage preservation was emphasized. Through hands-on instruction, participants learned practical techniques and implemented them in real-life scenarios, enabling them to harness the power of GIS for effective cultural heritage management.

Photogrammetry and Image-based 3D Modeling: Capturing Heritage in Three Dimensions

Photogrammetry and image-based 3D modeling provide an immersive and detailed way to document and preserve cultural heritage. Participants in the summer school familiarized themselves with various digital tools, such as photography, photogrammetry, 3D modeling, and model referencing. From image acquisition to data processing and model publishing, the entire workflow was covered. Participants were provided with a free license for Agisoft Metashape Professional, allowing them to create their own 3D models. This hands-on experience equipped them with the skills to capture heritage sites in stunning detail and share them with the world.

Terrestrial Laser Scanning: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Sites

Terrestrial laser scanning is a cutting-edge technique for acquiring precise and detailed point clouds of archaeological sites. In this specialist course, participants learned the principles and best practices of laser scanning. With a focus on 3D recording for conservation purposes, heritage managers gained the ability to create accurate representations of historic locations. This technology has the potential to revolutionize how heritage sites are documented and preserved, ensuring their legacy for future generations.

Case Studies: Putting Skills into Action

To apply their newly acquired skills, participants selected their own projects as case studies. This personalized approach allowed them to address specific challenges and gain practical experience. Projects ranged from the Roman Theatre at Palmyra in Syria to the Fort Jesus Heritage Site in Mombasa, Kenya. Each participant had the opportunity to work on their project using the digital tools and techniques they learned, making the summer school experience directly relevant to their work.

The success of our Digital Tools Summer School, that takes place annually online and in person, owes much to the expertise of Dr. Cornelis Stal, Lecturer at the Ghent University College (Department of Real Estate and Land Surveying), and Visiting Professor at the Ghent University (Department of Geography) with a significant experience in the field.

This year’s graduates are already putting their newfound expertise into action, ensuring the preservation of iconic sites for future generations.

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HERITΛGE is already receiving applications for next year’s summer school and is still accepting applications for its Certificate in Digital Tools for Cultural Heritage Management, let by Dr. Stal and run in cooperation with HOGENT University.

In a rapidly changing world, the preservation and management of cultural heritage require strategic planning and effective decision-making. HERITΛGE’s latest transformative 3-day online workshop titled “Strategic Planning for Heritage Managers” took place in mid-May and brought together 14 heritage managers from Africa, Asia, and Europe, providing them with essential strategic planning skills and knowledge. 

Led by Alexandros Papalexandris, Assistant Professor of Management at the Athens University of Economics and Business, the workshop immersed participants in a comprehensive curriculum. Heritage managers from Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Sudan, India, Syria, and North Macedonia had the opportunity to  explore a variety of strategic analysis methods and tools. They gained insights into planning and evaluating alternative strategic options, understanding the requirements of strategy implementation projects, and assessing the macro-environmental factors influencing organizational strategies.

The participants delved into the core concepts of strategy, grasped the importance of strategic planning, and acquired the skills to craft compelling vision and mission statements. Analyzing the business macro-environment, including political, economic, social, and technological factors, were skills on which the heritage managers participating focused intensely during the training. Moreover, the workshop equipped participants with the ability to identify and leverage different types of resources and capabilities to gain a competitive advantage.

Towards Practical Application: To cement their newly acquired skills, participants were divided into three groups, and each group selected a project from within their cohort for an in-depth case study. The chosen projects included the establishment of a Children’s Museum at The Grand Egyptian Museum in Egypt, the preservation of the Palmyra World Heritage Site in Syria, and the development of the Kumanovo Museum in North Macedonia. By working on these real-world projects, the participants had the opportunity to apply their strategic planning knowledge and develop practical solutions.

While the workshop concluded after three intense days, the learning journey continues. Participants will reconvene with their instructor, Alexandros Papalexandris, on May 22nd for a tutorial meeting. This session will provide an opportunity for participants to seek guidance, clarify doubts, and receive valuable feedback to refine their final projects. This personalized approach ensures that the heritage managers are supported as they progress towards implementing their strategic plans.

The workshop featured a keynote speech by Joshua Mwankunda, a distinguished professional with two decades of management experience in government services and overseas assignments. Mr. Mwankunda showcased his expertise in heritage conservation, development, tourism, project management, procurement, and engineering. He has managed successful heritage projects within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, including the conservation of Laetoli footprints, ElA and CHIA for road upgrades, museum development, and supervised the establishment of Sub Saharan Africa’s first Geopark.

The online 3-day workshop on “Introduction to Heritage Interpretation for Site Managers” took place from 25 to 27 November  2022.

10 heritage managers from Africa (Rwanda, Tanzania, Namibia, Kenya, Sudan), Europe ( Greece) and Asia (Turkey) have received training on the principles of quality heritage interpretation and practiced how to use interpretation on their own sites.

In this highly interactive and participatory workshop participants engaged daily with both individual and group activities. The workshops’ instructor, Valya Stergioti, tailored the activities and the lectures based on the participants projects and cultural background. Through this process participants learned how to turn phenomena into experiences, provoke resonance in visitors of heritage sites, offer paths to deeper meaning and foster respect for all heritage, as well as how to give and receive feedback to and from their colleagues.

The workshop was conducted by Valya Stergioti.

Valya Stergioti, is a freelance interpretive trainer and planner, with more of 20 years of experience on organizing and implementing interpretive workshops about heritage. As Interpret Europe’s Training Coordinator, along with the members of the Training Team, she is responsible for the creation and implementation of a quality, interpretive training program that will meet the needs of heritage professionals from all over Europe.

A keynote speech was delivered by Ms Olga  Karagianni.

Olga Karagianni, after a career in the private sector, moved to live permanently in Andros in 2004 when she started her PhD in Sustainable Tourism.Olga is the inspirational driving force behind the Andros Routes project, leading a volunteer team to restore over 180km of ancient footpaths and helping to develop sustainable hiking tourism on Andros. In October 2018 she launched the successful multi-day “On Foot” Hiking Festival which was repeated again in 2019. She has participated in the Southern Aegean Tourism Observatory as a writer of the action plan for nature and hiking tourism. Olga has a degree in Economics from the University of Athens, a postgraduate degree in Tourism Management and Policy from the Hellenic Open University, and a PhD in Sustainable Tourism.

 

The Heritage Management Organization (HERITΛGE) completed an in-person visit to The Gambia for the HerMaP Gambia program on 17th – 24th August to build on and develop the program’s capacity mapping and building functions for the heritage sector.

The team, headed by Project Manager Mina Morou, held meetings with The Gambia’s Vice President, Badara Alieu Joof and key heritage beneficiaries and stakeholders as well as training sessions with local heritage managers.

“We are happy to be in The Gambia after the lifting of the pandemic restrictions to further implement the HerMap Gambia program which serves as a springboard to develop the capacity of the country’s heritage sector, empowering local communities to grow sustainably by building on their culture, history, and traditions,” said Morou.

Morou, along with expert educator and trainer of trainers (ToT) Iordanis Paschalidis, and ethnomusicologist Stella Paschalidou,  delivered an executive leadership workshop on Capacity Development: Strategies and Best Practices, attended by 25 cultural managers from Barra, Wassu, Janjanbureh, Juffureh and Albreda, and Banjul and its greater area.

HERITΛGE is grateful to The Gambia’s  National Centre for the Art and Culture (NCAC) and its General Director, Hassoum Ceesay, for introducing and hosting the workshop as well as supporting our mission throughout its visit.  

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About HerMaP Gambia: The program is aimed at developing the business skills of heritage and cultural managers to enable them to establish and better support heritage and cultural enterprises. Supporting The Gambia’s heritage sector will promote community solidarity and provide high-quality employment opportunities for local talent.

The worskshop was funded by the European Union with funding partly matched by the UN Economic Commission for Africa. The HerMaP Gambia in co-funded by the European Union.

The Heritage Management Organisation’s people, programs and partners have all been in the news. You can find some of the articles below. 

 

Heritage Director, Evangelos Kyriakidis, told Euronews’ Jonny Walfisz that Britain must seize the opportunity for cultural diplomacy and give up its fears regarding the restitution of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece and the British Museum needs to see past the legal arguments it has been presenting on the issue…

Read more on Euronews.com 

 

Staying on the same topic, Dr. Kyriakidis told Euronews a few weeks later that European museums must do more than just return artefacts…. 

Read more on Euronews.com

 

Irene Onyancha of the United Nations, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) speaking on behalf of Nita Deerpalsing during the “Community Engagement Workshop with Community Leaders on the Promotion and Protection of Heritage Resources” which was held in Nairobi, Kenya, told participants that ECA is partnering with stakeholders including the Africa Union Commission and HERITAGE, to implement its heritage management programme which aims to empower local communities and experts…

Read more on ModernGhana.com 

 

Press in The Gambia and beyond reported on Heritage’s “Engaging Communities in Cultural Heritage” and “Heritage Interpretation for Site Managers” workshops. Cultural heritage managers in Banjul, Barra, Janjanbureh and beyond took part in the workshops which address the needs of the country’s heritage organizations and local groups as they themselves set them out in a survey conducted by the Heritage Management Organisation. The workshops are part of the HerMaP Gambia project, co-funded by the EU ….

Read more on AllAfrica.com,  ThePoint.gm and ModernGhana.com

 

Naftemporiki, one of Greece’s oldest and best-known financial papers/websites, features Hertigage’s work in Africa, highlighting that this is the first time that the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has collaborated with an organization to develop a cultural heritage program in the continent…

Read more on Naftemporiki.gr

 

Greek media reported on the upcoming conference on “Emerging Trends and Technologies (EMTech) in Cultural Organizations: Management Innovation and Network Collaboration” that HERITAGE is organizing at the American Farm School in Thessaloniki to mark the conclusion of the international TEACH FOR FUTURE project. The project was co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme and took place in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania… 

Read more on MyPortal.gr