Session: #266

Theme & Session Format

Theme:
Archaeology and the European Year of Cultural Heritage
Session format:
Discussion session: round table

Title & Content

Title:
Public participation in European Archaeology: the legal framework
Content:
Public participation has been a key topic in archaeological debates, as well as in the daily management of archaeological sites, during the last decades. The important role of public participation in the whole heritage sector has also been witnessed by international documents, such as the Faro Convention (2005), and recent European policies (e.g. Council conclusions on participatory governance of cultural heritage: 2014/C 463/01). However, when dealing with public participation in the different European States, archaeologists have to deal primarily with national legislation. The characteristics of these laws can foster or challenge public involvement, both in researching and in managing archaeology. For example, national policies and schemes can facilitate procedures for public involvement, or set specific boundaries for letting non-professionals participate. Far from standardizing practice, the legal frameworks across Europe are setting opposite standards that make it difficult to work in cross-national projects.
This round table will explore the legal framework of public participation in archaeology across Europe, addressing in particular: (1) the implementation of the European Conventions in the States that ratified them (e.g. the implementation of the Faro Convention in the archaeological context, or the relationship between the conflicting views of the Valletta and the Faro Conventions); (2) the national laws, regulations and policies, evaluating challenges and best practices of public involvement throughout Europe; (3) the challenges emerging from such an heterogeneous scene and how to face them.
Although this session is focused on European archaeology, examples from other regions are welcome.
Keywords:
public participation; legal framework; conventions
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no

Organisers

Main organiser:
Francesca Benetti (Italy) 1
Co-organisers:
Dr Jaime Almansa Sánchez (Spain) 2
Affiliations:
1. University of Padua
2. Incipit CSIC