Strategy is considered to be the queen of the managerial disciplines and a key success factor in all areas of human activity. In this respect, there are numerous examples of how a successful strategy can lead to success, even in cases where resources are limited and are not overwhelmingly superior to those of competitors.

The “Strategic Planning for Heritage Managers” Workshop, instructed by Alexandros Papalexandris, Assistant Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, in May, aimed to provide the tools and methodologies to effectively address the topics of successful strategy formulation and implementation in organisations managing cultural heritage in the contemporary complex environment.

Milica Tanasijevic, Architecture & Planning Professional at SEE Heritage Network, shares her experience with HERITΛGE’s world acclaimed Strategy Workshop.

 

Describe your organization and the unique work that it is doing.  Who and what are affected by the work?  How does/will the work impact people’s lives?

 

Give us some information regarding your educational/professional background and your current position.

 

Describe the main values that you have gained from the specific workshop.

 

Tell us about a project that will be benefited from the training you received from us?  Why is the project important?  

 

Has your organization worked on any other projects that are innovative, globally significant and can be replicated in a local market?

 

What are the global issues that your project addresses (e.g., fighting climate change, preserving heritage and culture, promoting local participation)?

 

Describe your organisation and the unique work that it is doing.  Who and what are affected by the work?  How does/will the work impact people’s lives?

Louvre Abu Dhabi dates back to 2007, when France and the United Arab Emirates joined forces to develop an institution rooted in the universal human values. For Louvre Abu Dhabi, “universal” means focusing on all values that unite us, the stories of mankind: through creativity, through cultures, and through civilisations. This has been the guiding principle for the museum ever since its foundation, combining French architectural design with the Arabic cultural heritage, along with choices of works for the collection and how they can be combined in the galleries to tell the story of mankind.

As the first museum of this kind in the Region, it aims to introduce the local visitors to a universal approach of arts and cultures and to showcase to the international public the UAE’s bold vision of cultural progression and openness. 

Tell us about a project that has benefited from the training you received from us?  Why was the project important?  Was there anything unusual or surprising about the execution of this project?

My role in Louvre Abu Dhabi is related to the Preventive Conservation Unit, meaning that I am responsible for ensuring the safety of a diverse and high value collection in terms of climatic parameters, display conditions and accessibility. This task becomes even more complicated when taking into account a big part of the display consists of short and long-term loans from prestigious French museums as well as regional partners. The challenges of the day-to-day operations focus on the high visitation numbers and the specific, often extreme, climate conditions of the Middle Eastern environment. On top of that, the museum emphasises the visitor experience, offering high quality services to the public, so the presentation and maintenance of the collection is of significant value and priority. As a relatively new institution (open to the public for 2 years now), the teams are still setting the policies and procedures for the operation of this significant organisation, which bares the brand name of one of the most important museums worldwide.

Has your organisation worked on any other projects that are innovative, globally significant and can be replicated in a local market?

The year 2019 was celebrated in UAE as the Year of Tolerance. Tolerance has been emphasised as a universal concept and a sustainable institutional endeavour, with dialogue and coexistence having a positive impact on society. Within this platform, Louvre Abu Dhabi has received the Universal Regions Hall award. The museum chooses to display in the same showcases a sculpture of Virgin Mary with Child, a Quran and a figurine of Buddha. According to the narrative of this gallery, religions in the past were spread beyond geographical borders as we know them today, and that’s what makes them universal; in a way that they share much more in common than most of us care to believe. This notion of shared values can be an example to post-conflict societies, to eliminate prejudice and reduce the gap among different social groups. 

What are the global issues that your project addresses (e.g., fighting climate change, preserving heritage and culture, promoting local participation, )?

In times where the phenomena of nationalism, racism and Islamophobia are headline news on a daily basis, Louvre Abu Dhabi chooses to embrace all cultures and religions. The narrative is following a chronological order rather than being separated geographically. Through the galleries, the visitor can discover how different civilisations interlaced through the eras and evolved in parallel, based on common human needs and principles. Louvre Abu Dhabi is proudly opposed to any type of violence, reflecting the vision and the open-mindedness of the founder of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan. His views, that any despicable action under the name of religion should be condemned, are still venerated today.

 

 

 

Strategy is considered to be the queen of the managerial disciplines and a key success factor in all areas of human activity. In this respect, there are numerous examples of how a successful strategy can lead to success, even in cases where resources are limited and are not overwhelmingly superior to those of competitors.

The “Strategic Planning for Heritage Managers” Workshop, instructed by Alexandros Papalexandris, Assistant Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business, in May, aimed to provide the tools and methodologies to effectively address the topics of successful strategy formulation and implementation in organisations managing cultural heritage in the contemporary complex environment.

Banafshe Esfahani, Cultural Program Officer German Embassy Tehran and  one of 850+ professionals and cultural heritage managers, benefited from the worldwide acclaimed training programs of HERITΛGE, shares her experience.

 

Describe your organization and the unique work that it is doing.  Who and what are affected by the work?  How does/will the work impact people’s lives?

Give us some information regarding your educational/professional background and your current position.

Describe the main values that you have gained from the specific workshop.

Tell us about a project that will be benefited from the training you received from us?  Why is the project important?  

Has your organization worked on any other projects that are innovative, globally significant and can be replicated in a local market?

 

What are the global issues that your project addresses (e.g., fighting climate change, preserving heritage and culture, promoting local participation)?

Going one year back, the first international scientific and practical symposium “Cultural Heritage Conservation as a Driver For Tourism Development” was held in Samarkand on December 4-5, 2019. The forum was organized by the State Committee for Tourism Development, the Ministry of Culture of Uzbekistan, the Institute of Tourism Development under the State Tourism Committee.

It was a great honor for us that the “Institute for Tourism Development under the State Committee for Tourism” invited the Heritage Management Organization  to participate to the symposium.  Professor Vassilis Ganiatsas represented HERITΛGE at the symposium and shared his insight on “Authenticity and Historical Reconstruction”, proposing an ontological approach to their repercussions in Cultural Heritage Management, while Aris Anagnostopoulos instructed the workshop “Local Communities & their role on preserving Cultural Heritage” to participants from the UK, Italy, Greece, France, Germany, India, France, Japan and China.

The purpose of the event was to preserve and promote the historical, architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage of Uzbekistan, in particular, Samarkand; to establish long-term cooperation with foreign experts in the field of reconstruction and restoration of tourist sites, to develop strategic proposals and recommendations for improving restoration work and further preservation of architectural heritage, development and dissemination of new forms of cultural tourism, etc.

 

Denkraum – Good Life & Sustainable Cities is the second event in the 2020 Denkraum series, hosted in three European cities and organized by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt in collaboration with Impact Hub Athens.

These events explore a positive vision of the future: Sustainable cities by 2030, in which a good life plays an essential part. Denkraum brings together leaders from the private, public, and civic sectors to explore how European cities can address environmental, economic, and social challenges.

Learn more about Denkraum, here.

SPACES OF THE CITY FABRIC

How can we transform empty cultural heritage buildings in sustainability motors for society & economy?

THE CHALLENGE

The sustainable reuse of buildings is a challenge for the whole world. There are historic buildings everywhere and in many parts of the world rules and legislation try to protect them. However, each case is different, as the economic, legal and social environment (beyond the political, technological and environmental environment) varies. The case of Greece, then, is not only particularly interesting and probably beneficial for the country if discussed, but also with clear international implications. This challenge revolves around the sustainable reuse of historic buildings. How do we maintain the values of built heritage while we reuse it and render it as a sustainable integrated resource for both the cities and the countryside? We are interested to examine the ways in which we can preserve our country’s built heritage without the need for continuous external investment in its maintenance.

THE CHALLENGE OWNER

The non-profit organization “The Heritage Management Organization” was founded in 2008 with the aim of retraining professionals in cultural heritage management in specialties that are now necessary for the complete execution of their work. Since 2016, the organization has operated internationally under the title The Heritage Management Organization , following the establishment of the “brother” non-profit Organization Heritage Management Organization Inc. in the United States of America. The Heritage Management Organization, recognizing the value of world heritage, is committed to exploit its potential as a foundation and driving force for self-awareness, collective understanding of culture, learning and sustainable development. The actions of the organization are mainly educational. To date, more than 685 people from 77 countries have participated in the organization’s programs, which are delivered in English and addressed to professionals as well as budding cultural heritage managers.

 

EVANGELOS KYRIAKIDIS
Dr. Evangelos Kyriakidis is the founding director of the Heritage Management Organization, that has trained hundreds of heritage managers from close to 80 countries. Evangelos is Senior Lecturer in Aegean Prehistory in the University of Kent, Canterbury. Trained in UCL and Cambridge in Classical Archaeology, Linguistics and Anthropology, and having fundraised 7M for heritage management projects, Evangelos has been for five years Senior Leventis Research Fellow in Heritage Management, a member of the Subject Committee for Archaeology in the UK, a fellow of the society of Antiquaries of London and of the Archaeological Society of Athens as well as a visiting professor at UCLA. Evangelos’ research on heritage management has contributed to Kent being rated second for its impact in society in the UK. He is the founding director of the MA in Heritage Management between Kent and AUEB, a program consistently rated as 3rd internationally for Culture and Creative Industries Management and first for Heritage by Eduniversal.

IOANNIS TROHOPOULOS
Ioannis  Trohopoulos, was born in Veria, Northern Greece. Worked as Director for Veria Central Public library from 1988 till May 2012. In August 2010 during the IFLA Conference at Goteborg, Sweden received on behalf of Veria Library the annual “Access to Learning” 1 million$ award nominated by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. From June 2012 till April 2016 he served as CEO at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. He is a founding member of Future library, an NGO which supports the development of public libraries at national and international level. He was (March 2017- April 2019) Head  of the“Athens2018-World Book Capital”, an important distinction which the city of Athens received by UNESCO. From June 2019 is director of Programs of Heritage Management Organization.  He is also member of the Library board of Veria Central Public library.

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PARTICIPANTS

ANASTASIA SIMOU
Lawyer – Municipality of Athens

VASSILIS GANIATSAS
Architect- Professor of Architectural Design – National Technical University of Athens

ANNA LAMPROU
Architecture & Urban Planning – Exhibitions Dept. Athens Biennale

ELEYTHERIOS SKIADAS
Vice Mayor of Municipal Properties

SOFIA AVRAMOPOULOU
Architect, Urban Designer – BARESPACE

GIORGOS KAPNIAZIS
Representative in the Real Estate Development Team OAED

ELENA LAMPROU
Director of the Municipal Market of Kypseli – Impact Hub Athens

DIMITRIS TRYFON
Partner at Charamida Investments – Charamida Investments

NICHOLAS KARACHALIS
Lecturer-Researcher in Cultural and Tourism Development – Val. URBACT Lead Expert

POKA YIO
Visual Artist, Consultant and Coach. Associate Professor, Athens School of Fine Arts. Founding Director, Athens Biennale

ANGELIKA STARBATTY
Senior Manager bei BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt

AFRODITI DIMOU
Co-owner – Karavan Serai

VASILEIOS FOURLIS
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Executive Member, Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee – Fourlis Group of Companies

ZOI MYLONA
European affairs advisor, Municipality of Tripolis Translator (GR, EN, FR, ES) Systemic counsellor

MYRTO TSITSINAKI
Heritage Conservation Specialist – Historic Buildings and Sites

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FACILITATORS

 

Dina Ntziora

A Cultural Manager and Creative Placemaking Producer committed to making places more memorable, fun, participatory, equitable and sociable. Focussing on creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness, and well-being by investing in the local creative community’s assets, inspiration, and potential.
In 2012 she led on the transformation of a Victorian police station designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building, located at the commercial centre οf Bristol, to a thriving arts centre named The Island. In 2016 Dina worked on the Feasibility Study for Jacobs Wells Baths, a building of significant architectural and heritage merit in partnership with Bristol City Council property department, in order to ensure the long term use of the building whilst maintaining the community vision.

Her work with empty buildings transforms neighbourhoods and also brings something fresh and diverse to commercial centres. She has studied International and European Economics and Politics at Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB) and holds an MSc in Development, Administration and Planning. She has previously worked for Bristol City Council, British Council, Athens Municipality and Athens Development Agency and is an active member of the European Placemaking Network. She is also a mentor for Women on Top in Athens.

 

Lida Tsene

I hold a PhD from Panteion University, Department of Communication, Media and Culture. Apart from academic books on corporate and media responsibility, social media, storytelling and cultural management, I read loads of comics. I try to share everything I learn, and that’s the reason why I participate in many conferences about CSR, journalism, social media and comics and also organize educational workshops. I like to talk a lot about the things I am passionate about, so I am collaborating as teaching associate with several academic institutions and I am also Public Relations Director of Comicdom Press. I believe in the power of networks, that’s why I have friends all over the world.

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AGENDA

OPENING PROGRAMME
ONLINE | All participants

TUESDAY 06 OCTOBER – 17.00 – 18.30
17:00 Opening // Kick-off
17:10 Keynotes: Alexandra Mitsotaki & Lenio Myrivilli
17:30 Small Q&A
17:45 Introduction of the experts and their the key challenges

18:00 Speed dating between challenge specific groups

DEEP DIVES PROGRAMME
ONLINE | Appointed groups

WEDNESDAY 07 OCTOBER
10:00 -12:30 Co-creation & deep dive on Green Mobility
16:00 – 18:30 Co-creation & deep dive on Waste Management

THURSDAY 08 OCTOBER
10:00 -12:30 Co- creation & deep dive on Spaces & the City Fabric
10:00 -12:30 Co- creation & deep dive on Finance
16:00 – 18:30 Co- creation & deep dive on Sustainability in Culture

FRIDAY 09 OCTOBER
10:00 -12:30 Co- creation & deep dive on Green Infrastructure

CLOSING PROGRAMME
ONLINE | All participants

FRIDAY 09 OCTOBER, 17.00 – 18.00
17:00 Closing of Denkraum Athens with BMW Foundation
17:10 Sharing harvest of the deep dives
17:50 Closing words

Describe your organization and the unique work that it is doing.  Who and what are affected by the work?  How does/will the work impact people’s lives?

I worked as an Antiquities Trafficking Analyst in the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the New York County District Attorney’s office (herein ‘the Office’). The role of an analyst consists of processing and analyzing evidence that comes in regarding stolen and looted antiquities. Analysts work with local, national, and international law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations, academics, judges, lawyers, and prosecutors to recover artifacts and eventually repatriate them to their country of origin. Analysts also conduct heavy legal research on New York Criminal Law and international patrimony laws. 

The work ultimately affects the origin countries that lose their antiquities due to stand-alone crime and theft, but also war-related theft, especially during the aftermath of war where you’ll find criminals stealing artifacts and trading them through the black-market. When antiquities get stolen from their country of origin, a little piece of culture dies and taking away culture is the worst thing you can do to a nation and its people.  Cultural property is what unites people despite their differences. The job of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit is to restore that culture and advocate for protecting antiquities.  

The repatriation ceremonies are one of the highlights of working in the field. Whenever the Office successfully seizes a piece and returns it to its country of origin, the District Attorney’s Office hosts a repatriation ceremony with the Minister of Culture of that specific country.  Most recently, the Office returned a gold coffin of Nedjemankh from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to Egypt. The ceremony was attended by the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs. The coffin was crafted between 150-50 BCE and once held the remains of the high priest Nedjemankh. It was smuggled from Egypt after the Egyptian Revolution in 2011 and traveled through the United Arab Emirates to Germany for restoration, then to France, and was finally sold to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2017. The Met fully cooperated with the DA Office for the investigation and lo and behold the coffin was returned to its rightful owner. These antiquities cases are complicated, challenging, and at times so frustrating, but being part of a team that helps preserve a country’s cultural heritage is truly gratifying.

Tell us about a project that has benefited from the training you received from us?  Why was the project important?  Was there anything unusual or surprising about the execution of this project?

Participating in the Heritage Management Organization’s fundraising workshop taught me strategies and skills that are broadly applicable even outside fundraising and development, such as writing a thank you letter or a letter of inquiry, researching and securing donors and grants, or even planning an event or campaign. It also helped to improve my research skills by forcing me to do non-academic research.

What are the global issues that your project addresses (e.g., fighting climate change, preserving heritage and culture, promoting local participation, )?

The global issue surrounding my work is of course the preservation of heritage and culture. The black market trade of illicit antiquities is bigger than most people realize. The core mission of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is to seize any artifacts that come to New York illegally and repatriate them to their countries of origin. In this way, we help to combat clandestine excavations of antiquities. Although it is not an easy task from a legal perspective, the possibility of putting an end to such excavations and the success we’ve had finding stolen artifacts and returning them proves that, for lack of a better phrase, “the bad guys don’t win.”