Narrated by Lorenzo Venezia and Irene Reyes Suero From October 6 to 8, 2024, the European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage (ESACH) had the honour of participating in the European Cultural Heritage Summit in Bucharest. Organised by Europa Nostra and co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, the summit was an inspiring journey that celebrated the values of cultural heritage for Europe and deepened our commitment to youth engagement. This year’s summit gave us so many opportunities to play a part in the evolving conversation around cultural heritage. In this sense, we are grateful to Europa Nostra for their support in making this opportunity possible. During the four days, we had the chance to participate in events that echoed the shared passion of cultural advocates from across Europe, from the prestigious European Heritage Awards Ceremony to the thought-provoking European Heritage Policy Agora. Yet, for the ESACH team, our biggest highlight was having the chance to bring our own voice to the table by organising the Youth Forum - a pre-summit event created by and for young heritage professionals. The Youth Forum was our chance to show just how powerful youth-led initiatives can be. The event featured three dynamic panels and eighteen speakers, and we reflected on the role of young people in driving digital, social, and economic transformations within the heritage sector. The Youth Forum was organised by the European Students’ Association for Cultural Heritage (ESACH) and Europa Nostra in the frame of its network project European Cultural Heritage Agora co-funded by the EU Creative Europe programme. The event received the support of the Romanian NGO “Heritage for the Future” and the National Institute of Heritage. For us, being part of this pre-event was an incredible experience. It gave us the chance to learn from and connect with other professionals who are just as passionate about heritage as we are. Getting to exchange ideas with such a like-minded crowd was really inspiring! Furthermore, this Youth Forum marked a significant milestone for ESACH members, as it largest in-person ESACH event co-organised to date, offering a crucial platform for the young voices in the sector. As young heritage professionals from across Europe and abroad came together, we realized that we were not just attendees at this summit; we were part of a movement that bridges generations, connects regions, and envisions a sustainable future for heritage. Beyond the forum, ESACH members took part in a variety of summit sessions, each one sparking new ideas and opening dialogues with numerous stakeholders. Discussions ranged widely and every interaction became a learning experience, and every panel or workshop felt like an open invitation to engage deeply with some of the field's most pressing issues. One of the summit’s most memorable moments for our team was when ESACH member and editor, Lorenzo Venezia, shared his personal journey as a young heritage practitioner during the European Policy Agora’s third panel. With a clear voice and insightful reflections, he highlighted the excitement and challenges of entering the field and inspired many of us to think more critically about our own roles within this space. Through Lorenzo’s words, it became evident that youth engagement in cultural heritage is not just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for the sector’s sustainability and relevance in today’s world. As we look back on this year’s summit, we are not only inspired but also emboldened to take the next steps. The chance to connect with others from across Europe and beyond offered us a collaborative environment for conversation and exchange. This year, young voices didn’t just join the discussion—they drove it, and we are more committed than ever to strengthening and amplifying the role of youth within the heritage sector. We look forward to next year’s European Cultural Heritage Summit in Brussels, eager to see how these ideas will evolve and to continue building a heritage movement that resonates across generations. A booklet is being prepared and will be shared very soon!
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Photo © Ara Güler, 1986
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