On November 13, 2024, AVSI participated as a special guest in the "Working Party on the Protection of Cultural Heritage" held at the Lex Building in Brussels. This event was organized by the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU, which has made cultural heritage protection one of its key priorities.
The meeting brought together representatives from all 27 EU Member States, including designated delegates such as Maria Palladino, an education expert from the Italian Permanent Representation, alongside institutions like the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission.
The Hungarian presidency invited AVSI to strengthen the message about the practical importance of cultural heritage protection. Nicola Orsini, AVSI’s representative in Jordan, shared insights from projects carried out in the country, highlighting AVSI’s approach and methodology. He also presented recommendations to guide Member States and EU institutions in designing future development cooperation initiatives.
Our cultural heritage protection projects focus on empowering local communities to take an active role, rather than being passive beneficiaries. Organizations like AVSI play a key role in bringing together different stakeholders, creating connections, and encouraging collaboration in the areas where we work. Protecting and promoting cultural heritage should be seen as a core element of development cooperation because it has a positive ripple effect on many aspects of people’s lives.
Nicola Orsini, AVSI Representative in Jordan
The meeting encouraged Member States to consider how cultural heritage protection can be integrated into their future development projects. AVSI emphasized the importance of sustainable and inclusive strategies that actively engage local communities to ensure long-term impact and mutual benefit.
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