On April 2, 2025, the Fondazione 1563 in Turin will host a research seminar jointly organised with the UNESCO Chair. This event will serve as an opportunity to present the research funded through the scholarship established in memory of Dr. Alberto Vanelli, as well as to share the findings of the Chair’s research activities conducted in recent years.

The seminar will begin with institutional greetings, followed by a presentation from Professor Giovanna Segre, UNESCO Chairholder, who will outline the Chair’s role and its key research projects. The session will feature studies examining the economic impact of UNESCO designations, exploring their influence on local development, tourism dynamics, and cultural industries.

In the second part of the event, a roundtable discussion will focus on the future of the UNESCO site Royal House of Savoy, featuring institutional and cultural representatives who will discuss strategies for the sustainable management and enhancement of this heritage.

This seminar provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the challenges of cultural heritage protection and valorization, fostering dialogue between academic research, cultural policies, and territorial management. It is part of the broader activities of the UNESCO Chair, which for years has been promoting research on the intersections between economics, culture, and local development.

The Regional Directorate of the National Museums of Piedmont, in collaboration with the Master in Protection of Cultural Property in Crisis Response, the UNESCO Chair and SIOI Piemonte, is organising a study conference dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage, examining historical experiences and contemporary challenges. The event will take place on 29 March 2025 at the Castello di Agliè and will be held exclusively in Italian.

The first panel will examine the historical role of the Castello di Agliè in the protection of cultural heritage, particularly during the Second World War, when the site became a safe haven for important Piedmontese works of art. The discussion will highlight the transformation of the castle, which was acquired by the State in 1939 and subsequently turned into a museum, underlining its enduring importance in the protection of cultural heritage.

The second panel will explore the role of research and international cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage today. Key themes will include cultural diplomacy, illicit trafficking, restitution and conservation practices, with a focus on the intersection between academic research, professional practice and institutional cooperation at both local and international levels. The presence of representatives from public institutions, academia and the professional sector will provide valuable insights into the evolving challenges of heritage conservation.

Of particular note is the participation of two alumni of the CPP Master's Programme, highlighting the role of the recently established Alumni Network in fostering links between professionals working in the field.

The conference will conclude with a guided tour of the exhibition and registered participants will have the opportunity to visit the Castello di Agliè free of charge. Participation is subject to prior registration by filling in this form.

Il 24 gennaio 2025, in occasione della Giornata internazionale dell’educazione, si è svolto a Roma presso l’Università la Sapienza il convegno annuale della Rete delle Cattedre Unesco italiane (ReCui) dedicato al tema “Imparare per una pace sostenibile”. Abbiamo partecipato all’evento insieme ad altre 43 Cattedre Unesco italiane, e abbiamo presenziato alla consegna  da parte della ministra per l’Università e la ricerca Anna Maria Bernini del Sigillo di merito, conferito con decreto lo scorso 6 marzo 2024, quale segno distintivo a dimostrazione dell’impegno profuso nel predisporre programmi volti a rispondere prontamente e con maggiore autonomia alle rinnovate richieste di nuovo apprendimento e ricerca in un mondo in rapido cambiamento economico, sociale e tecnologico.

We are pleased to announce the publication of an article in La Stampa, exploring the role of the Master in Cultural Property Protection in Crisis Response, organized as part of the activities of the UNESCO Chair. Through an interview with Professor Giovanna Segre, director of the Master’s program and Chairholder of the UNESCO Chair, the article highlights the importance of civil-military cooperation in protecting cultural heritage in crisis contexts. A concrete example is provided by Colonel Mario Renna of the Alpine Troops, a former student of the Master’s program, who shares his experience in cultural heritage protection.

The Master’s class, composed of students from all over the world, serves as an extraordinary laboratory of interdisciplinary cooperation, much like the Monuments Men, made famous by the film starring George Clooney. The article emphasizes how, similar to the historic team dedicated to protecting art during World War II, the Master’s students form a highly multidisciplinary group, with expertise ranging from law to art history, archaeology, diplomacy, and security. Another key theme is the connection with the local territory and new collaborations, including the one with the Castello di Agliè, which provides a concrete opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in the Master’s program to the management and enhancement of cultural heritage.

The article underscores how this educational experience not only prepares highly qualified professionals but also fosters an international network of experts committed to the protection and promotion of culture as a tool for resilience and sustainable development.

The International Master's Programmes "World Heritage and Cultural Projects for Development" and "Cultural Property Protection in Crisis Response" are joining forces for a collaborative study visit across the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Genoa and Langhe. Over the study trip, participants explore two UNESCO Sites.  

On May 6, 2024, participants visit the Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, guided by experts from the Association for the Heritage of Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, the Langhe Roero Tourism Board (ATL), and the Municipality of Coazzolo. This visit will highlight the balance between tradition and innovation in wine management and production.

On May 7, 2024, participants delve into Genoa - Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli. Organized with the UNESCO Office of the Municipality of Genoa, the University of Genoa, and the Blue District Village, this tour will provide insights into the historical and artistic importance of these Renaissance and Baroque palaces, emphasizing Genoa's role in European trade and culture.

The international Master's programme "Cultural Property Protection in Crisis Response" participates in a study visit in cooperation with the International Institute of Humanitarian Law of Sanremo.

On 8 May 2024, students from the Master's programme in Cultural Property Protection in Crisis Response are in Sanremo to meet with the International Institute of Humanitarian Law and explore the topic of military practices in relation to the protection of cultural property. The following day, the students have the opportunity to participate in a guided tour of the La Pigna historic centre.

On March 25, 2024, Sophia Labadi from the University of Kent will deliver an engaging and thought-provoking lecture titled "Rethinking Heritage for Sustainable Development" at the Campus Luigi Einaudi of the University of Turin. This lecture focuses on the critical role of heritage in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Labadi's presentation will be based on her recent book, which provides a comprehensive history of the international approaches to culture in development from 1970 to the present day. She will examine how heritage has been marginalized in discussions and implementations of the SDGs, despite its potential to contribute significantly to poverty reduction, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.

The event is a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue on the role of culture and heritage in sustainable development, inspiring attendees to consider new perspectives and approaches to heritage conservation in the context of global development challenges. Additionally, it will highlight the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and the need for more robust policy frameworks to support heritage in contributing to sustainable development.

The plenary session "Celebrating Walter Santagata's Legacy" of the "Rethinking Culture & Creativity" workshop, organized by the Santagata Foundation, will take place on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at 9:30 AM in the Luigi Einaudi Campus. Dedicated to the memory of Walter Santagata, the session will highlight his pioneering work in the economics of culture and explore the future directions of this field. Esteemed speakers include Francesco Bandarin (former Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and former Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Culture), Christian Barrère (Professor of Economic Sciences, Université de Reims), Pierre-Jean Benghozi (Research Director at CNRS and Professor at Ecole Polytechnique), and David Throsby (Professor at Macquarie University, Sydney).

This event is co-hosted by the Department of Economics and Statistics "Cognetti de Martiis" and the UNESCO Chair for the Economics of Culture and Heritage and it will be broadcasted live on the broadcasting service of the University of Turin: Regno media.

*Update: you can find the recording of the plenary session at this link.

The results of the selection titled "Reading UNESCO Sites: Dissemination of Knowledge and Promotion Abroad of Italian Sites Listed as World Cultural and Natural Heritage by UNESCO", managed by the Italian Center for Books and Reading, were published. The competition was aimed at publishers interested in creating materials that enhance the global awareness of Italy’s UNESCO-listed sites, and it supports the production of various formats including editorial works, guides, multimedia tools, virtual tours, and interactive maps. The Evaluation Committee included Giulio Blasi (external president), Nicola Genga (representative of the Center for Books and Reading), Laura Pugno (representative of MAECI), Francesca Gottardo (external expert from MiC), Serena Tabacchi (external expert), and Francesca Rosalba Caglioti (recording secretary). The proposals were examined individually and then discussed collectively during subsequent meetings. Each project was evaluated for its technological and digital components, and their alignment with the goals of enhancing the visibility and interaction with Italian UNESCO sites through both traditional and digital means. 

After a detailed review process, the project "UNESCO Heritage in Italy: A Journey Through Art, Nature, and Literature" by EDT S.N.C. was selected for its exceptional cultural content and innovative approach to engaging readers through dynamic and interactive means. The project was developed in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair in Economics of Culture and Heritage. The Chair congratulates the organization and wishes it the best of luck in implementing this project!