What does it mean to be resilient in the world of museums and cultural heritage? Is resilience a trait we’re born with, or something we build in response to crisis?
Join us for the second episode of ACMC’s webinar series: Resilient Voices, as we turn our focus to resilience in cultural heritage. Following our first session on cultural political activism and the intersections between democracy and culture, this conversation will dig deeper into how heritage professionals adapt, respond, and grow in the face of adversity.
What to Expect:
- Insightful perspectives from leading voices in the field
- Real-life examples of resilience from museum directors and curators
- Reflections on whether resilience is a built practice or a natural trait
- A discussion on how the digital age is reshaping resilience—empowering or hindering it?
Meet the Speakers:
👤 Sandro Debono – Cultural strategist, curator, and board member of NEMO (Network of European Museum Organisations). He is a Museum Thinker and cultural strategist based in the Mediterranean island of Malta, as well as a member of the International Scientific Committee of the Anchorage Museum in Alaska, United States of America. He sits on various editorial boards and also advises such platforms as Best in Heritage as a scientific committee member.Sandro Debono will reflect on the rapid transformations affecting museum policy in the wake of COVID-19. Drawing on his research and practice, he will discuss the foundational principles of the European museum model and introduce the R-factor Compass, a framework positioning resilience as a key strategy for institutions navigating political and social pressures.
👤 Jasna Popović – Cultural heritage professional and representative of ESACH (European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage). She graduated from Law in Belgrade and holds two masters – one in International public law and another in Human Rights and now is a Ph.D. candidate at UC3M, Madrid, researching the link between cultural heritage and sustainable tourism. She is a freelance cultural practitioner and she is collaborating with Hispania Nostra, where she oversees youth involvement, digital transformation in heritage and EU-funded projects, and she is working as Coordinator of youth activities for European Heritage Hub pilot-project. She is also very active in ESACH, where she has volunteered as Secretary since September 2022. Jana Popović is the Secretary of the EACH Coordination Committee and the Youth Coordinator within the European Heritage Hub – youth dimension.
Together, we will explore how museums and heritage institutions are adapting to shifting public values and uncertain futures, and how professionals can equip themselves with tools for resilience in the 21st century. We will consider how these perspectives can inform a broader reflection on the role of museums and cultural heritage in contemporary society. Can resilience serve as a pathway towards renewed legitimacy and relevance for the sector?
Don’t miss this thought-provoking dialogue on the future of heritage.
🗓️ 24 July | 🕛 12:00 CET
📍 Register now and be part of the conversation: https://forms.gle/XVdWNn1L2WMR5GtN6
