Towards Participatory Governance in Cultural Heritage Management: Paradigm Shift or Path-Dependence?

The seminar explores the relationship between culture, cultural heritage, and its management. After analysing the complex notion of cultural heritage and its evolution within international conventions, we will examine the shift towards a people-centred approach and participatory governance. Particular attention will be paid to key innovations introduced at the beginning of the 21st century—such as the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) and the Council of Europe Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (2005)— focusing on their impact on museum management at the international level, including the new museum definition adopted by ICOM in 2022. The seminar will also investigate both temporary museum projects and bottom-up initiatives, with a specific focus on participatory practices in cultural heritage management in Italy. Students will be actively involved in discussions on co-creation processes, public–private partnerships, and the long-term sustainability of selected initiatives. Finally, the seminar will address key open and critical issues to assess whether current developments represent a true paradigm shift in cultural heritage management or rather a hybridisation of traditional and emerging models.

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