About | ReCon Heritage

Rationale

The (re)Contextualising Contested Heritage project is an interdisciplinary approach using arts and humanities research to respond to the critical global challenge of the continuous destruction of cultural heritage in conflict regions.

One objective is to develop transformative models of regional partnerships on sustainable transitions of peacebuilding and cultural exchange. Another objective is to establish a sustainable digital platform, supported by local young people, with help from three major international research universities. This co-produced research with communities will identify issues and solutions, to negotiate historical conflict, and building local consensus on future awareness, protection and nation rebuilding

Methodology

The project delivers youth-centred capacity building through open seminars and training workshops and research co-delivered with our three local higher education institution partners in Kosovo, Lebanon and Iraq.

The seminars and workshops will create opportunities for discourse between youth participants and cultural heritage professionals to develop innovative digital platforms through participatory and co-design approaches as a mean of plural participation to boost community resilience and create channels for nation rebuilding following conflict.

Undertake a critical review in each context and identify best-practice methodologies on current global youth-focused participatory arts and heritage work that explore the legacy of conflict and everyday lives of people.
Develop a research-led interactive digital platform to build new cultural exchange platforms that enable communities and institutions to share and translate cultural responses to ideological conflicts and developmental challenges.
The co-creation of a sustainable framework and engagement programme that will enable local heritage professionals to engage key stakeholders in cultural heritage protection.
Build capacity by raising the profile of local expertise, amongst museum curators, educators and ECRs to develop practical skills and training that would benefit the wider cultural sector.
Produce the ‘Building Participatory Heritage’’ Toolkit to strengthen the capacity for heritage protection in conflict societies.

Collaborations

Develop interdisciplinary and international partnerships to support projects and collaborative programmes of research between academics, museum professionals, educators and practitioners, creative industries sector and entrepreneurs to explore innovative co-creation practices and participatory programming.

Raising Awareness

Undertake a critical review and identify best-practice methodologies on current global youth-focused participatory arts and heritage work that explore the legacy of conflict and everyday lives of people.

Promote an understanding of participatory practice and how it can benefit the museum and its wider communities

Capacity Building

Build capacity by raising the profile of local expertise, amongst museum curators, educators and ECRs to develop practical skills and training that would benefit the wider cultural sector.

Raising the profile of local expertise, amongst museum curators, educators and ECRs to develop practical skills and training that would benefit the wider cultural sector

Co-production

The co-creation of a sustainable framework and engagement programme that will enable local heritage professionals to engage key stakeholders in cultural heritage protection.

Develop cross-learning resources and share knowledge with youth people and community groups via relevant websites/social networks/collaborative platforms