HERITAGE, NEW TECHNOLOGIES, AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

An international conference on the use of new technologies for heritage education, cultural tourism, and economic development

First Announcement

Ghent, East-Flanders Sepember 2002

Purpose:

To inform political authorities, cultural managers, educators, tourist operators, and community leaders throughout Europe and the Mediterranean region about the potential of new approaches to local heritage presentation as a means to the sustainable educational, touristic, and economic development of local communities.
Experts and professionals in heritage and tourism fields will share their experiences and describe the potential of community-based initiatives and New Technologies (such as Virtual Reality, advanced 3D Computer models and interactive applications) for enhancing heritage presentations in both the educational and touristic spheres. Special stress will be placed on international partnerships and the sharing of expertise and experience between Europe and the Mediterranean region.
An important feature of this conference will be the announcement of a new European heritage initiative, "The Francia Media Project," which will incorporate new methodologies and technologies for integrating Heritage and Local Development.
The program will consist of two and a half days of lectures, demonstrations, and discussions in the historic city of Ghent in East-Flanders, and a study visit to Ename where new technologies for the public presentation of local heritage have been developed. Approximately 200 attendees from Europe, the Mediterranean region, Africa, and the Americas will exchange know-how in a series of topical discussion workshops and will learn about the latest techniques and technologies in the field of heritage presentation in the context of local development.
A major objective of this conference will be to draft an "Ename Statement" representing the consensus views of the participants on the importance of community involvement in Heritage Management and Presentation—and to set an agenda for the development of heritage presentation and management in the coming years.
Among the specific subjects to be discussed are:

• The social and cultural impact of community-based heritage initiatives.
  
• The enhancement of visitor experiences at heritage sites.
  
• New planning techniques in which heritage sites are integrated into the life of a community.
  
• The impact of innovative heritage education programs on local schools and community life
  
• The economic implications of heritage development for local communities.
  
• The use of high technology "Virtual Reconstructions" as an alternative to costly physical reconstruction of archaeological sites.
  
• The evolving techniques of heritage programming, offering flexible, and highly mobile methods of producing high-quality cultural presentations.
  
• Internet and CD-ROM dissemination of cultural information for education and international presentations.
  
• The establishment of academic and educational standards for the use of high technology in cultural heritage presentations.

Experts and professionals in heritage presentation, tourism, town planning, and the use of New Technologies will present the latest developments on all these fields, as well as demonstrate prototypes and pilot projects.
Workshops and tours to heritage sites in Ghent and Ename will provide attendees with a clear idea of the possibilities of local adaptation of this unique combination of heritage and high technology.

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The Venue:

The Venue
The Conference will be held on September 11-13, 2002 in the historic city of Ghent, East-Flanders, a meeting place for both heritage and high technology. Public sessions and demonstrations will be held the University of Ghent’s "Het Pand" cultural center. Participants will have the opportunity to attend additional events and receptions in some of Ghent’s other historic buildings.
An excursion will also be made to the Ename Museum and the Ename Center for Public Archaeology and Heritage Presentation, approximately 25 km south of Ghent in the city of Oudenaarde. Conference participants will have an opportunity to see the interactive museum and other Virtual Reality installations that have been developed at this important archaeological and historical site.
During both days of the conference, various organizations and firms will be present in booths in the exhibit hall to demonstrate and offer additional information on programs, hardware, software, and other materials relevant to the conference.

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Principal Organizers :

The Ename Center for Public Archaeology and Heritage Presentation

Instituut voor het Archaeologisch Patrimonium (IAP)

Provinciaal Museum t’ Ename

ICOMOS

OGM s.a.

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List of Planned Official Sponsors :

The Government of Belgium

European Commission (DG Enterprises, DG Education and Culture, DG Information Society, DG Environment)

EU Committee of the Regions

World Tourist Organization

The Flemish Community of Belgium

The French Community of Belgium

The German Community of Belgium

The Province of East-Flanders

The Municipality of Ghent

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The Program

Day 1: Conference Opening

Evening: Welcome
Opening Plenary Session to be followed by a reception and official opening of the exhibition of displays of heritage and technology.

Day 2: New Technologies and Culture

Morning:
Heritage in the 21st Century: Perspectives from Europe
International experts in Heritage and Local Development and in heritage and Tourism will present plenary lectures describing the latest developments and possible future directions in the field of Heritage Management and Presentation. The plenary lectures will be followed by a demonstration of new interactive heritage technologies that can provide unique visitor experiences at historic sites, innovative classroom uses, on-site interpretation centers, and be adapted to the needs of e-commerce and tourism.

Afternoon Workshops:
New Approaches to Heritage: International Case Studies and Discussion
Participants will have a choice of attending one of two specialized workshops in each session. Adequate time will be scheduled for questions, debate, and discussion. The conclusions of each of the workshops will be incorporated into the "Ename Statement" to be drafted at the conclusion of the conference.

Session 1 Workshops:
Site Management
Heritage and Local Communities

Session 2 Workshops:
New Technological Tools for Heritage
Tourism and Heritage

Each workshop will feature a brief introduction and three cases studies, which will be subject to discussion and comments by the participants.
Throughout both morning and afternoon sessions, an exhibit hall featuring posters and displays by heritage organizations will be open to the conference participants.

Evening:
Festive Ceremony and Dinner for Participants at the Provinciehuis in Ghent

Day 3: Drafting of "Ename Statement" and Presentation of Francia Media ProjectMorning session to be held in the historic Stadthuis of Oudenaarde.

The rapporteurs of each workshop will offer a resume of the proceedings and present the conclusions of the participants regarding its specialized topic. Public discussion and the formulation of the "Ename Statement" on the Importance of Community Involvement in Heritage Management and Presentation will be formulated.Afternoon Visit to the Ename Museum, newly restored St. Laurentius Church, and Archaeological Park.
Conference participants will have an opportunity to see presentations and series of demonstrations showing new technologies of "virtual exhibits" and interactive applications for the presentation of community heritage. Posters and displays will illustrate the major components of the Francia Media Project, a major international exhibition and cultural heritage initiative planned for cities and historic sites throughout Europe in 2004.

End of Conference.

Saturday-Sunday September 14-15:

Optional Excursions to Bruges, Antwerp, and Brussels

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For additional information on the program and workshops, contact:

Ghent Heritage Conference
Ename Center for Public Archaeology and Heritage Presentation
13-15 Abdijstraat
B-9700 Oudenaarde
BELGIUM
e-mail: info@enamecenter.org

For additional information about registration and accommodations, contact:
Ghent Heritage Conference
OGM
Avenue d'Auderghem 92
B-1040 Brussels
BELGIUM
e-mail: ogm@ogm.be