Regione Siciliana Assessorato Beni Culturali ed Ambientali e della Pubblica Istruzione Dipartimento Beni Culturali ed Ambientali ed Educazione Permanente
PALERMO RESOLUTION
More than 200 participants from 25 countries1 from research, conservation and restoration centers, ministries, local administration authorities, universities and the private sector gathered in Palermo to participate in the 3rd international meeting “the material and the signs of history”. The event was organised by the Regional Centre for Planning and Restoration of the Sicilian Region with a contribution by the Sicilian Regional Council, in collaboration with ICCROM and with the support of the association HERIMED. The Sicilian Regional Council, by this convention, offered an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas on the theme of heritage preservation continuing the previous initiatives started with the conference “Cultural Heritage and International Partnership in the Mediterranean” (Palermo, November 2003) on the occasion of the Italian presidency of the European Union. During the workshops, cultural heritage topics were discussed as: non-invasive and innovative investigation techniques, development of guidelines to draw a risk map for Mediterranean cultural heritage, funding opportunities procedures for operations in the context of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation. 33 experts representatives of the participating institutions attended the final round table, and reached the following conclusions:
1 Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Syria, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom
Considerations 1. This resolution is based on an open discussion, without discriminations or prejudices. The composition of the working sessions allowed intense exchanges of ideas among the representatives of the institutions and experts from MPCs (Mediterranean Partner Countries). Policy makers, institutions and local authorities, universities and the private sector have been working to strengthen their efforts to reach common goals. 2. Participants recognise and appreciate the recent interest of the European Commission in culture in the framework of international relations. “the European Commission makes urgent efforts to adapt all projects to the cultural needs of our partners and to develop the cultural dimension as an integral part of the overall assistance” as the president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Durao Barroso declared at the culture forum “The hearth of an open Europe" organised in Lisbon on September, 27th, 2007. 3. However, the above-mentioned strategies on culture are evolving slowly into operational programmes as compared to expectations, both from the EU side and from the governments of MPCs. The new European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) places culture in a less brightfull role compared to 1995 Barcelona declaration, the starting point for Euromediterranean relations. From 1995, only 3 out of 1,500 European “twinnings” between public administrations have tackled the topic of culture. The National Indicative Programmes, approved this year as the result of an agreed negotiation between the EC and the MPCs, do not recognise culture and cultural heritage as a priority in the cooperation agenda. 4. Culture is a key factor towards building national identity, social cohesion and local development. The scenario in this domain is evolving quickly. In 50’s only a limited number of Countries ratified and enforced legislation on Cultural Heritage. In 2006, almost 90% of the world countries ratified a legislation in this area. 5. MPCs actors involved in preservations and preventive activities do not participate in EU funded projects as much as they could. In most cases, they play a secondary role and not as main applicants. In addition access and manage EU funds should be facilitated. 6. On the other hand, priority actions of some regional cooperation programmes, such as Interreg IVc highlight the importance of risk prevention in transborder cooperation. For example: “innovation and knowledge economy and environment and risk prevention, the two main priorities of the programme, reflect the renewed focus of the European Union on Lisbon and Gothenburg strategy to promote jobs and growth in Europe”. 7. European and MPCs experiences are important and must be assessed as lessons to be learned from and as mistakes to be avoided. Sound strategies, territorial and border cooperation, dissemination of information about Cultural
Heritage should be preferred to actions towards an individual site seldom isolated from the general context. The shift in approach from a single monumental complex to a territorial integrated system of cultural values has been lengthily debated. 8. In Italy, the National Strategic Framework (2000-2006) for Structural Funds objective 1, strand culture - has been an interesting experience. It showed strengths and weaknesses related to theoretical and practical implementation (in the 90's) of cultural heritage management plans also involving the private sector. 9. Preservation and valorisation of Cultural Heritage should aim towards new intervention methodologies based on an integrated vision. Any – not purely taxonomical – distinction between typologies of heritage, tangible and intangible, ancient and contemporary, must be overcome by favouring a holistic approach encompassing the landscape. Sustainable local development should take into account heritage, environment and cultural identities. 10. Research and prevention centers exist in a limited number of countries with different functions and responsibilities. However, working relations among MPCs' Institutions already exist both on a formal and informal level and are a capital of knowledge to build upon, to maintain and to valorize. 11. Shared information, through lectures and posters and working relations among participants in this meeting are a first important step towards sharing of knowledge and provide opportunities for the development of joint programmes. Resolution Considering the above, participants in the round table of the Palermo convention agreed the following resolution: 1. Cooperation opportunities between educational Institutions of the MPCs should be supported in order to increase and improve educational programmes in the field of Cultural Heritage preservation. More efficient exchanges among universities and research centers and those institutions involved in the safeguard and management of cultural heritage are necessary. 2. Cultural heritage (conservation, preservation, as well as territorial cooperation, management, etc.) should be included in academic and educational programmes and in the strategies developed by donors and Institutions responsible for cultural heritage. 3. It is necessary that the management of Cultural Heritage conservation is based on risk assessment and mapping. A preventive approach aiming to reduce costly interventions should be promoted and inserted in the donors strategies. 4. Greater attention should be paid to National and European fundings and programmes supporting cultural heritage in the fields of territorial cooperation, enhancement and safeguard of cultural diversity and identity, intangible heritage,
working relations connected to the so-called “3Cs� (culture, creativity, competition), new and traditional technologies. 5. Better knowledge of European and International cooperation and funding opportunities, especially in MPCs', should be promoted in order to favour a more active participation, through a widespread dissemination of information available also in local languages.
To coordinate and to facilitate the implementation of this resolution, a network Secretariat is required. The scope of the Secretariat is not to replace the competences and the responsibilities of each members but to play a catalytic role. With an ad interim mandate, the Secretariat will be set up by CRPR. The participation of MPCs in the above mentioned network will be facilitated and promoted by HERIMED. . . The secretariat will develop its activities along 5 strands: A)
B) C) D) E) F)
Supporting International, European and national donors and organizations to increase the strategic relevance of culture and cultural heritage in development policies Identifying International, European and national financial opportunities in the domain Facilitating partners' search, students' mobility and internships Collecting and diffusing best practices, research and studies Promoting training activities Promoting the creation of restoration centres in the Mediterranean Area and their network
These strands will be applied in the following sectors:
Culture and technology 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Research and innovations development in the critical areas related to cultural heritage: diagnostic, monitoring, cataloguing and restoration Focus on materials conservation both tangible and intangible including landscape Conservation of mosaics and paintings, research on mortars and archaeological sites Conservation of archaeological finds and dry stone wall techniques Building materials and techniques Methodologies of maintenance, soluble salts , pests control Mudbrick and mosaics shelters Assessment of monitoring protocols Assessment of durability and compatibility of conservation treatments on inorganic materials Development of international cataloguing standard
Culture and development 1. 2. 3.
4. 5.
Development of methodologies, techniques and standards for natural and man-made risk (risk map), inventory and GIS. Building of cultural and also maritime itineraries and setting up of standards for risk map. Establishing synergies between cultural institutions and Civil Protection and promotion of integrated projects in the areas of natural parks, cultural itineraries including tangible and intangible, historical and contemporary heritage. Promotion of public awareness of cultural heritage. Promotion of information and experiences exchanges in order to draw up a Risk Map of the Mediterranean Basin Regions
The Secretariat will take care of the dissemination of this document and of the reception of its formal acceptance by all participants. On the basis of available financial resources, in order to assess the achieved progress and to follow up the activities undertaken and join projects, it is agreed to organise next meeting in 2010. The possibility of co-organising it with Jordanian and Egyptian authorities has been discussed. This resolution will be diffused in English, French, Arabic, and Italian through the web sites of various Institutions such as ICCROM, CRPR, HERIMED, the Sicilian Region, and any other interested organizations.