A leading international non-profit organisation based in the Netherlands is holding a symposium here tomorrow as part of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale to create awareness about the utility of local heritage.
The Centre for International Heritage Activities (CIE), headquartered at Leiden in South Holland, will host 'What is the Value of Your Heritage?' with focus on mutual heritage as tool for economic development.
"The intention is to make the foundation for future successful partnerships to support and maintain India's natural, cultural and social heritage," according to Shwetal Patel, executive officer of the Kochi Biennale Foundation which is hosting the three-month biennale ending on Mar 13.
The purpose of the seminar, featuring an overarching presentation besides two case studies and a panel discussion under the direction of Nicoline Van Cann who is a team member Heritage of CIE, will be three-fold.
"One is to educate the audience on the methods and benefits of sustainable Heritage Management in India," Patel said.
"Two, it will bring together stakeholders from relevant institutions, representatives from private-sector companies and investors in the field of tourism. Further, the event will discuss each other's perspective on heritage as a tool for economic development to further promote the implementation of Heritage Management."
The CIE said it believes international cooperation benefits cultural heritage management. "For CIE, cultural heritage is much more than monuments and sites," a spokesperson for the organisation said. "It is the intrinsic value of heritage that engages people to an object, place or practice, shapes collective identities and stirs up emotion. This makes it worthwhile to invest in heritage."
There will also be a presentation on UNESCO's vision about "India Heritage Cities Network".
