You may remember that a World Heritage UK Learning & Engagement Network was established in 2019. This was organised by Ashleigh Taylor as part of the World Heritage Youth Ambassadors programme, which hosted online group meetings until 2022. As part of our new project, Realising the Benefits of World Heritage to Local Communities 2, we are reestablishing the Learning & Engagement Network as a Special Interest Group. Meetings will take place online at various periods over the next two years and attendance is open to World Heritage network professionals, organisations and individuals involved in work relating to learning and engagement within World Heritage Sites.
What does the Learning & Engagement Special Interest Group do?
The purpose of the group is to support Sites and organisations in pooling resources and provide methods to increase resilience at individual Sites, as well as for the sector. Therefore, the group offers a space for discussion, peer learning, and sharing best practice across the network as well as facilitating collaboration efforts and providing opportunities to demonstrate the value and worth of learning and engagement.
What do we mean by ‘learning and engagement’?
Overall, we mean the strategies and activities that help people to understand the significance of a Site and connect emotionally or intellectually with it as well as participate in its care, preservation, and future.
Specifically, learning focuses on the knowledge and awareness of a Site’s values. Learning can take place through formal education such as school visits, curriculum-linked resources and educational workshops. Or it can take the form of informal learning that takes place on-Site through interpretation (panels, guides, apps), exhibitions, and talks. Learning also happens within the context of community knowledge exchange that involves local narratives that may not be in the official history of the Site.
Engagement is used quite broadly but often means creating opportunities for meaningful connections and participation. This could include methods to involve local communities in interpretation or management decisions through co-creation. Events and storytelling such as heritage festivals, oral history projects, artwork or performances are also forms of engagement. Online and digital engagement, including social media outputs, virtual tours, and online campaigns (especially to reach underserved or younger communities) are also useful examples. Finally, volunteering and citizen science activities that include getting people involved in Site monitoring, conservation, or research are also examples of hands-on engagement methods. Overall, engagement is focused on equity and access to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, can feel welcomed and represented.
Why is this group important?
People tend to care more for what they understand and feel connected to, so being aware of learning and engagement strategies and activities is essential for sustaining long-term protection of World Heritage Sites. UNESCO also states that parties are expected to promote education and public awareness, so finding avenues to do so are encouraged. Finally, it offers opportunities to explore diversifying whose stories are told, and how.
How can I be involved? If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, would like to present at a group meeting, have a suggestion for a topic of discussion, or want to find out more, please contact [email protected]