The VAST project virtual Policy Roundtable discussion titled “Values as a key part of our Intangible Cultural Heritage” was completed with success, on Thursday 28 September.

The Roundtable, which brought together esteemed policy makers, museum professionals, and educational experts from the cultural heritage domain, was a resounding success. Participants engaged in profound discussions on the pivotal role of values within the realm of cultural heritage, exploring the connections between these values, democracy, and policy in general.

Dr. G Petasis, Dr. Dora Katsamori, and Dr. Xenia Ziouvelou, of the project coordinator NCSR Demokritos, gave a presentation on the VAST policy approach and vision. They also participated in the break-out room discussions with the experts in order to create a set of concrete policy recommendations.

The fruits of this collective effort will undoubtedly resonate far beyond the virtual confines of this discussion, influencing actions that honor the values embedded within our diverse cultural traditions.

A big thank you to all the participants for their invaluable and insightful participation!

The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) hosted a thought-provoking event in Athens, Greece, on 19 October, titled “AI is All Around Us” which addressed the latest advancements in AI and the consequent challenges encountered by the public, research, and private sectors. Notably, the VAST project, made a significant impact by sharing its insights and initiatives.

Alexandros Nousias, of partner NCSR Demokritos, contributed with a captivating presentation titled “From Open Source to Responsible AI Licences” where he outlined the trajectory from open-source AI development to the integration of responsible licensing practices. The presentation highlighted the necessity of ethical considerations and responsible practices in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.

VAST Project partners organise a Policy Roundtable discussion titled “Values as a key part of our Intangible Cultural Heritage” online on Thursday 28 September 2023 from 10 am to 12 pm CEST. 

The Policy Roundtable is addressed to museum experts (museum directors, professionals responsible for designing policies and cultural heritage programs/activities, etc.), educational experts (school directors, educational experts responsible for the design of educational programs, in ministries, etc.), policy makers (professionals in the cultural heritage domain, ministries, public authorities, municipalities, EU policy makers, etc.).

The objectives of the Policy Roundtable will include:

• Discussion on values, a key part of our intangible cultural heritage, in the context of democracy and policy in general
• Presentations on the findings of our policy research
• Co-creation of a set of concrete policy recommendations

As the number of participants is limited, your registration is required here by Tuesday 26 September.

We look forward to your participation!

In the frame of European Heritage Days 2023  the VAST project in collaboration with the Folklife & Ethnological Museum of Macedonia- Thrace co-organise the educational activity “Values traveling through Folktales” which will be realised between 22-24 September 2023 in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The activity has an intergenerational character and is addressed to a mixed audience of school-age children and their accompanying adults with a duration of 1,5 hours. There are 4 available sessions with 15 participants per session. Participation is free and spot reservations can be made over the phone on +30 2310 889840.

• Friday 22/09: 18.00 – 19.30
• Saturday 23/09: 10.00 – 11.30 and 12.00 – 13.30
• Sunday 24/09: 11.00 – 12.30

The educational activity aims to thoroughly explore the European values presented in the Museum’s permanent exhibition, which focuses on the significance of hydropower as a source of energy in the pre-industrial era and the watermill – flourmill as a laboratory connected to the timeless need for sustenance.

The participants will use the popular folktales as a vehicle to explore the exhibition, while VAST researchers will investigate the ways in which the ethical and social values of Europe are expressed through the operation of its institutions, the lives of its citizens, and the European cultural heritage. Participants are invited to discover these values based on their personal views and experiences, to express them visually, and then to reflect on their impact, their ability to transform and evolve through time.

How do values travel through Art?

The VAST project invites audiences to find out by participating in an experiential workshop on values, hosted at the MOMus – Museum of Photography in Thessaloniki, Greece.

The workshop will take place on Sunday 17 September 2023 at 13.00 at the Museum’s premises and will last for an hour.

The activity is hosted by MOMus on the occasion of the photographic exhibition ‘Eyewitness’ of the leading photo journalist Yannis Behrakis.