date

2-4 July 2007

place

Ohrid/Skopje, Macedonia

topic

SEE Heritage network meeting and public debate "Heritage and its misuse in political and ideological causes"

A third meeting was held in Macedonia 2-4 July 2007, and organized by the Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia and supported by OSI (Open Society Institute) Network Program East-East: Partnership without Borders.

The goal of the meeting was to discuss how member of the SEE Heritage network, through the further development of the network, could jointly contribute to the preservation and promotion of the region's rich cultural heritage as a tool for sustainable and responsible development.

The meeting consisted of:

-       a public debate on "Heritage and its misuse in political and ideological causes" followed by

-       a discussion on problems such as the under-representation of minorities' cultural heritage, the protection of endangered heritage from uncontrolled urbanization, and the irresponsible mushrooming of new cultural structures being wielded for political purposes.

results

Two outcomes emerged as the most significant:

(1) The decision to include Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania in the network, and

(2) The joint production and ceremonial signing of the Membership Declaration, a document professing the network's values, commitment and vision. 

organisation

Foundation Open Society Institute - Macedonia

participants

ALBANIAN NATIONAL TRUST from Albania,

MJAFT! from Albania,

BUTRINT FOUNDATION,from Albania,

CHwB, Regional office Sarajevo, BIH

EC MA NDRYSHE from Kosovo,

FOSIM from Macedonia,

EXPEDITIO from Montenegro,

NOTAR from Montenegro,

ARCH-LUK from Serbia,

SUBURBIUM from Serbia,

EUROPA NOSTRA SERBIA, from Serbia

donor

East East Program: Partnership Beyond Borders of the Open Society Institute