The first B+CARE regional conference, “Balkan Cultural Aid Response for Emergency”, which was organized within the Regional Center for Cultural Emergency Response in the Western Balkans, underlined the importance of systematic interventions to protect cultural heritage.

During the opening speech, Petra Burcher, adviser, head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden in Albania said that, “Sweden has a wide portfolio of interventions in Albania, one of which is the protection of cultural heritage”.

“In Sweden, our cultural heritage has been protected and supported by the Swedish government and a number of other actors, but what is happening today in the world and the dangers that threaten us from climate change and not only, has made us rethink our interventions in the face of this reality young,” she said.

“We have started a process to review legislation and protocols in such a way that our institutions are prepared and equipped with resources to protect cultural heritage in times of crisis. It is important that the Albanian government can reflect on this new reality in such a way that the institutions are empowered and better prepared to intervene in the cultural heritage in case of disasters,” said Burcher.

Whilst, Executive Director of the Foundation forCultural Heritage without Borders, Elena Mamani said that it is important that different actors of all sectors and levels cooperate to protect cultural heritage, especially in case of crises or disasters. Intervening in cultural heritage in an emergency has proven to us that it helps in the recovery of the affected community as it strengthens the sense of belonging, while underscoring that by learning from each other we can create a thread of hope in the face of the difficulties that affect us.

An increase in the frequency of natural disasters is observed as a result of climate change, so reducing the risk of disasters and building the capacities to cope with them have become a priority.

This conference brought together over fifty professionals from different countries to explore collaborative approaches and strategies in heritage protection in the face of disasters. During the conference, international and regional multidisciplinary efforts were presented, emphasizing the opportunities and the need for cooperation to increase capacities in the preservation of our cultural heritage.

This conference served as a unique platform where professionals exchanged different perspectives, shared best practices and fostered a spirit of cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage from natural or man-made disasters.

B+CARE regional conference was jointly organized by the Cultural Heritage without Borders Foundations in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosova, with the support and cooperation of the Cultural Emergency Response Fund (CER).

During the conference, the translation of ICCROM’s publications: “First Aid to Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis – Guide and Toolkit” was promoted.

/a.p./