| In this latest edition of our quarterly newsletter, we share updates on the international work of the Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE) of the Netherlands. This issue features news from the International Heritage Cooperation programme, as well as highlights from a range of other international activities. As always, we look forward to your questions and suggestions. |
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| | | | | As the
Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, we have built a long-standing
partnership with the Brazilian city of Recife on heritage issues. In the 17th
century, the Netherlands built a settlement there based on the Dutch model:
forts and a compact town in the delta. Last October, we worked on the
connection between climate change and cultural heritage. Our Brazilian
colleagues are tackling this in a highly dynamic, design-based way. In an
intense workshop, we provided knowledge and innovative examples from our end
and meanwhile learned from Brazil’s passionate approach. In the run-up to the
COP30 in Belém, a statement was drafted for the proper management of historic
port cities and presented during the conference. The RCE collaborated in the
project with the Municipality of The Hague and TU Delft. |
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| | | | | Starting
2025, Europe boasts a new Intergovernmental Organization, specifically aiming
at a better infrastructure to facilitate research. The European Research
Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS) was formally established in 2025.
It’s formal status is an ERIC, a European Research Infrastructure Consortium.
The founding member states are Cyprus, Hungary, France, Italy, Malta the
Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom. | | |
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| | | | | This fall
and early next year the RCE will conduct a training course in Jaffna, Sri
Lanka, focusing on the city's historic urban landscape. Jaffna, once a Dutch
VOC trading post, offers an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding of
strategic planning and heritage conservation. The course will use Urban
Heritage Strategies and Action Planning, featuring online lectures, inventory
studies, and a workshop. The goal is to explore the balance between urban
development and heritage conservation, creating an action plan to address
current and future challenges, with participants from diverse organizations and
universities in Sri Lanka. The training course is conducted in collaboration
with the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies of Rotterdam and
the Central Cultural Fund in Sri Lanka. |
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| | | | | From
October 20 to November 10, the RCE and Museo Arqueológico Nacional Aruba
organized a maritime heritage management training programme on Aruba. 16 participants from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom successfully completed the
program. The RCE reflects on a successful training programme where participants
gained theoretical and practical knowledge as they applied newly learned theoretical
knowledge directly during training dives at the SS Pedernales. This training is
regarded as an important step toward building a sustainable network for
maritime heritage in the Caribbean and educating professionals in this field. | | |
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| | | | | At the end
of November, 23 initiatives were selected for funding under the Faro
Implementation Agenda Grant Scheme. The funds are intended to make the Faro
Convention's philosophy a sustainable part of heritage practice. This
convention focuses not on heritage itself, but on people and human values. 5
projects fall under the "International" theme, including
"Democracy as Living Heritage," "Van Gogh Europe," and
"Fairground Heritage in Europe." A unique aspect of the selection
process is that the initiatives were selected through a participatory process. | |
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| | | | | From 28
October to 6 November, the RCE hosted
the 7th edition of Sharing Stories on Contested Histories, organised in
cooperation with the Reinwardt Academie. The programme united museum
professionals and scholars from around the world. With field trips to
institutions like the Wereldmuseum and KITLV, discussions on colonial legacies,
and workshops on restitution, provenance, and equity. Participants came
together in a vibrant World Café to reflect deeply on shared yet contested
histories. Thank you to the diverse group whose openness and generosity made
this edition so productive. | |
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| | | | | | In the week
of 10 to 14 November, a South African delegation from Constitution Hill and the
South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) visited The Netherlands, as
part of the International Heritage
Policy framework. During the week, visits to the Peace Palace, the
International Zone of the Municipality of The Hague, the Oranjehotel and the
city of Naarden were on the program. Also workshops with the Dutch counterparts
were held on topical themes like interpretation and presentation, spatial
issues and maintenance. The last day was all about democratization of Heritage
and communities. It was a full week with engaging conversations and interesting
locations that encouraged reflection on both sides. |
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| | | | In October,
the Embassy Days took place. Every year, we engage in discussions on behalf of
the RCE with staff from Dutch embassies and representations abroad. During the Embassy
Days, we talked about the plans for this policy period, as well as the themes
and areas of focus of the RCE. It was an opportunity to get acquainted and
address any requests for support and potential heritage collaborations from
different countries.
Would you
also like to have a conversation with us? Feel free to email us at a.van.wely@cultureelerfgoed.nl.
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| | | Image: © Colonial Collections Consortium |
| | | Last
September and October, The Colonial Collections Consortium – of which the RCE is partner – organized a series of webinars about the
Colonial Collections Datahub in collaboration with the Heritage Academy. The
Datahub brings together, enriches, and provides information on collections from
colonial contexts. In the webinars we discussed how the platform works and how
it relates to other projects like Wikimedia Indonesia, Digital Benin, Coleccion
Aruba. Curious to know more about these sessions? The recordings are now
available on the Consortiums website. | | |
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| | | | | This international webinar series explores the history of the Indarung I and ENCI cement factories, 2 landmark sites in Padang, Indonesia and Maastricht, the Netherlands, which both have stopped production. By bringing together historians, heritage experts, and industry representatives, the series aims to exchange knowledge on the history, heritage, and transformation of both factories. Participants will discuss milestones, industrial context, and the societal role these sites played. The session also supports future collaboration by identifying common challenges and outlining perspectives for adaptive reuse, conservation, and long-term heritage management. The first of the series took place on 4 November 2025 and addressed the history of cement production. 2 more are to follow in 2026 on respectively heritage features and development opportunities. |
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| | | The International Heritage Cooperation programme of the Cultural Heritage Agency of
the Netherlands follows from the International Cultural Policy
Framework of the Dutch government. Other organisations executing the
national International Heritage Cooperation programme are DutchCulture, the
National Archives of the Netherlands, KIEN and the Embassies of the Netherlands
in the partner countries. For more information on their activities, see their
respective websites.
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.jpg?v=20251208135411 "ENG RIHS becomes ERIC")
_(3).jpg?v=20251208133854 "Sharing Stories")
