The Sicentific Director and Creator of the project “Reconnecting with your Culture”, Prof. Dr. Olimpia Niglio (ICOMOS Heritage Expert and Vice-President to the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee PRERICO) shares a brief account of the project focused on the need to involve and engage children with cultural heritage at first stages:
In a complex historical period in which capitalist priorities have strongly questioned ethical values and human relations, there is a need to put the person and his creativity back at the center. The fragility, which all countries have manifested within the cultural and educational sector, has allowed developing fundamental reflections to give a “new centrality” to the role of Culture for the sustainable development of humanity. Indeed, without Culture it becomes difficult to develop future perspectives capable of enhancing shared and participatory policies that are no longer entrusted to the growing individualism.
Analyzing the realities of different countries of the world, from the Far East to the far West, there is a need to activate a new “humanism” and for this reason, it is necessary that Culture enters fully into the whole ideation of the new and innovation on which it is important from now on to invest.
RECONNECTING WITH YOUR CULTURE, promoted by the EdA Esempi di Architettura (Italia) in collaboration with UNESCO University and Heritage (Spain), is aimed at primary and secondary schools around the world and dedicated to the young generation from 5 years old to 17 years old. This project proposes an educational methodology that is able to enhance Quality Education (4. UN 2030 Agenda), Cultural heritage sustainability, and the research for the development of the communities.
“It’s time to take a break and to get out of being bored. It’s time to travel around your city! As if it were a treasure hunt, you will create a walking map to see and know what is a heritage for you, write clues that give an idea of how to get to that priceless treasure you want to make known all over the world. Walking with your travel log, compass and drawing tools, we can undertake together an adventure to discover new things and places that nobody knows, but now you have in your hands the opportunity to discover them and share them to the whole world so that everyone can know the treasure that is in your city. When you find the treasure, next to the map draw in the technique that you like and the size you want, that invaluable treasure. This way all the adventurers that follow your map and clues, will be able to know and know which is the hidden wonder in your city.… What is heritage for you? Do you know your heritage? Why have you selected this element to draw?”
Learn more about the project here.