29 Sep 2021
International Conference of Terra Mosana: Sustainable Digital Heritage
This International Conference of the Terra Mosana project, organised by Maastricht Centre for Arts and Culture, Conservation and Heritage (MACCH), brings together researchers, policy makers, professionals and practitioners to explore the long-term sustainability of digital heritage.
In particular, the conference will focus on key aspects enhancing technological, societal, and organisational sustainability, such as the importance of collaboration, participatory approaches and social inclusion, digital storytelling for cultural heritage, as well as governance and legal frameworks for digital heritage.
Cultural and digital heritage are important resources for people and communities. They contribute to the development of identity, and are crucial for local memory and ‘sense of place’. Cultural and digital heritage can also play a crucial role in achieving sustainable development, through strengthening social cohesion and well-being, fostering socio-economic regeneration, and enhancing long-term tourism benefits.
Within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations, none of the 17 SDGs focuses exclusively on cultural heritage. However, culture has a crucial role to play in SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Target 11.4 calls for strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. In addition, by bringing together diverse individuals and groups for the development of a project, they also foster social cohesion (SDG 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development). Moreover, as a rapidly growing economic sector, cultural tourism has a direct positive impact on SDGs, especially on SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth.
Themes of the Conference
Digital Heritage as Collaborative Practice
Collaboration and partnerships are important for the long-term sustainability of digital heritage. The creation, dissemination, and management of digital heritage often require interdisciplinary, and cross-institutional teamwork, engaging both heritage and university partners. This theme addresses the advantages and challenges of such collaborative practices. In particular, we welcome presentations that examine cross-border collaborations and local, regional and European partnerships in ever-expanding digital infrastructures.
Digital Storytelling for Cultural Heritage
Interactive digital storytelling is becoming a popular choice for information presentation in many fields, including museums and heritage environments. This theme investigates how the different types of heritage information can be narrated and presented through digital formats in an engaging and meaningful way. Contributions that explore practices of transmedia storytelling and gamification, as well as the impact of digital media on the public interaction with cultural heritage are encouraged.
Governance and Legal Frameworks for Digital Heritage
Where cultural heritage sites are being digitized, legal and governance questions arise. In particular, this involves questions of copyright protection of the original work, ownership of the generated digital work and access regimes to these digitized cultural content. Legal and governance norms differ between one country and another. Cross-boundary digitalisation projects therefore raise relevant questions as to how ownership and access should be regulated. We welcome contributions that shed light on the legal and governance solutions found for specific examples of digitizing cultural heritage in various jurisdictions.
Participatory approaches and Social Inclusion in Digital Heritage
Cultural heritage is a shared resource and forms part of the cultural identity of communities and individuals. This theme investigates how online and on-site participatory and co-creation approaches can be further developed and applied in the context of digital heritage. In particular, contributions that focus on ways of enhancing social inclusion by involving citizens, residents and heritage visitors in the development of digital heritage are welcomed.
On 29 September (on-site), the opening ceremony will celebrate the achievements of Terra Mosana, with live demonstrations by Terra Mosana partners.
On 30 September - 1, 7 and 8 October (online), there will be keynotes, workshops and a panel session over four afternoons (from 14:00 to 16:30) based on the conference themes: Collaboration (on Thursday 30 September), Digital Storytelling (on Friday 01 October), Legal Frameworks (on Thursday 07 October) and Participation (on Friday 08 October).
Practical information
- From September 29th to October 8th
- Place : ONLINE via Zoom Hosted by Faculty of Law. The opening on day 1 will be physical at the Town hall in Maastricht with a livestream.
- Registration : Register online