Free and open entrance to one of the most important 2018 Erasmus events, the international conference on cultural European heritage organised by the Indire’s national agency Erasmus+ at the Politeama theatre in Palermo on 27 September as part of the initiatives for the European year of cultural heritage.

Cultural heritage plays a pivotal role in building up the future of the European Union and strengthening our common identity. Moreover, artistic and cultural assets are sources of economic and occupational growth and are essential for trade between Europe and the rest of the world. In the EU, 7.8 million jobs are related to cultural heritage (e.g. tourism) and more than 300 thousand people work in the sector. We shouldn’t also forget that almost half of the Unesco sites are in our continent.

Welcoming the invitation of the European commission to encourage evermore people in the discovery of our heritage, the Italian Erasmus+ agency has decided to bring to life this initiative for international encounter, also to enhance some of the projects based on the values of culture and education for EU citizens’ growth. Palermo was chosen not only for being the Italian capital of culture in 2018, but also because the Sicilian capital has always been the symbol of the encounter between different cultures.

The aim of the event is that of spreading cultural awareness, opening to international dimensions of education and training and give participants the possibility to confront and start imagining partnerships and networking projects to be realised together.

The four main reflection points developed in the conference sections will be:

• The cultural heritage as a means to strengthen European identity (10:30 am – 11:30 am)
• Education and culture to combat radicalisms (12 pm – 1 pm)
• Cultural heritage belongs to everyone (2:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
• The role of the Mediterranean as a bridge towards other cultures (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm)

Each theme will be introduced by and expert and will provide food for thoughts and debate to the international audience. The conference is part of the activities of transnational cooperation between agencies and is open to all the counties participating in the Erasmus + programme. Participation is free and open to everyone (register here!).

Working language: English

For further information: erasmusplus@indire.it.

Useful links:

• Official site
• Conference programme
• European year of cultural heritage 2018