The Rathgen-Forschungslabor (Rathgen Research Laboratory) of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, in collaboration with the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (SPK – Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation), recently hosted a groundbreaking workshop on “Resilient Cultural Heritage in Times of Climate Crisis” from 16-17 April 2024. Part of the Horizon Europe-funded ARCHE project, the event brought together 100 influential policy-makers, researchers, activists, and practitioners from Germany and neighboring countries. Attendees explored innovative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change on cultural heritage, setting the stage for future strategies and partnerships aimed at preserving our shared history.
Rathgen Research Laboratory Hosts Workshop on Resilient Cultural Heritage Amid Climate Crisis
Vienna, Austria – 22 May 2024 – The Rathgen-Forschungslabor (Rathgen Research Laboratory) of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, on behalf of the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (SPK – Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation), successfully organized a workshop titled “Resilient Cultural Heritage in Times of Climate Crisis” from 16-17 April. This event was part of the Horizon Europe-funded ARCHE project (Alliance for Research on Cultural Heritage in Europe). Held at the Kulturforum Berlin, the workshop attracted around 100 policy-makers, researchers, activists, and practitioners from Germany and neighboring countries to discuss the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage and explore sustainable solutions.
Workshop Highlights
The workshop featured four panels addressing key challenges for the future ARCHE Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). Topics included the threats of climate change on cultural heritage, the role of cultural heritage research as an innovation and mitigation driver, and the secondary impacts of the climate crisis on cultural heritage. The latter highlighted often overlooked aspects such as the digital realm, zones of war and conflict, migration, and ownership. The event concluded with a networking session aimed at engaging stakeholders with the goals of the future European Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage (RCH).
Image credits: ARCHE project
Consortium Meetings and Future Plans
Following the workshop, consortium meetings of the ARCHE project took place, focusing on completed and upcoming deliverables and tasks. After a year of comprehensive mapping and assessment of the cultural heritage research and innovation landscape in Europe, ARCHE is transitioning to a series of in-person workshops, beginning with the Berlin event. Three additional workshops are planned for 2024 in September, October, and December, hosted by local partners. Key highlights for 2024 include the publication of the first version of the new SRIA for cultural heritage, which aims to harmonize heritage research policies across Europe, and the project’s policy recommendations.
Thematic Working Sessions
In addition to plenary discussions, partners engaged in smaller thematic working sessions hosted by the Institut français Berlin and in cooperation with the French Embassy in Germany. These sessions advanced the SRIA development while reinforcing team spirit.
Image credits: ARCHE project
Heritage Research Forum
An essential tool in drafting the SRIA is the online Heritage Research Forum. This interactive platform serves as a co-design space where the broader heritage research and innovation community can consult the intermediary outputs of the SRIA drafting process and provide feedback. Access to the platform is free, requiring only registration on the Heritage Research Hub website.
Future European Partnership on Resilient Cultural Heritage
The Berlin consortium meetings also addressed the future European Partnership on Resilient Cultural Heritage, for which ARCHE aims to pave the way. Discussions included the next steps for submitting a full RCH proposal, anticipated to start circulating in summer 2024. The RCH Partnership aims to deploy large-scale instruments and networks to launch calls for projects and complementary activities that enhance research at the intersection of climate change and cultural heritage.
ARCHE and Time Machine Organisation
We as Time Machine Organisation are thrilled to support the working groups in drafting the SRIA and leveraging our standing in the European cultural heritage sector to drive the Partnership on Resilient Cultural Heritage forward. Through coordinated actions and strategic initiatives, the RCH Partnership seeks to preserve and protect cultural heritage for present and future generations – a mission that is close to the heart of the TMO:
“Cultural heritage is the cornerstone of society’s existence and each individual’s journey. In the face of climate change, it’s imperative to fortify it for the future. As Time Machine Organisation, our mission extends beyond preserving the past; we strive for a comprehensive transformation, leveraging historical data to forge a resilient cultural legacy that serves as a beacon for generations to come.”
Thomas Aigner (TMO Vice President)
About ARCHE
The ARCHE project started in September 2022 and lasts until August 2025. Its purpose is to develop a pan-European framework for a holistic approach to cultural heritage research and innovation, by creating the Alliance for Research on Cultural Heritage in Europe, a spearheading coordination network of researchers, innovators, heritage professionals, institutional bodies and citizens. The aim is to engage a large variety of cultural heritage actors in Member States / Associated Countries in the co-design of research and innovation strategies and roadmaps that lead to research and innovation initiatives requiring multidisciplinary approaches and skills.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Alexandre Caussé, ARCHE Scientific Coordinator (alexandre.causse@sciences-patrimoine.org)
Élodie Cazenave, European Projects Officer (elodie.cazenave@sciences-patrimoine.org)
Miruna Găman, European Projects Officer (miruna.gaman@sciences-patrimoine.org)