Abstract
Abstract The engagement of young people is already considered essential for preservation and promotion of culture heritage. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the European Commission, national governments and numerous organisations have undertaken a series of initiatives and projects that are aimed at engaging young people in the preservation and promotion of cultural values from the international level to the local ones. The aim of this study is to identify and analyse the role of youth in cultural heritage preservation and promotion in a local area, after considering the importance of their engagement. The research has been conducted on the basis of quantitative and qualitative data, which has been collected from primary and secondary sources. A survey is conducted in a local urban area (the city of Korça) that is rich in cultural heritage. This city is located in the south-eastern part of Albania. The data gathered through the questionnaire was later coded and analysed using SPSS v. 20 software. Based on the results of the research, the engagement of youth, especially students, in maintenance of archaeological sites, museums and libraries, training culture programs, guide walk tourist itineraries and participation in local heritage projects, enhance not only their awareness concerning heritage values, but also contributes towards their preservation and promotion. It is observed from the survey that the level of awareness of young people interviewed is higher among those who have been engaged in projects and cultural activities for preservation and promotion of heritage values. In terms of willingness expressed by young people, it is important to emphasise the role that education system, youth and heritage organisations and national and local government ought to play in encouraging the initiatives that involve more young people in heritage activities and projects.
Highlights
In simple terms, heritage can be considered everything that has been inherited from the past to the present and that has values for a community, nation or for the entire human society.Regarding Yahaya, the scope and definition of heritage has broadened from tangible to intangible and is internationally agreed to include tangible heritage (UNESCO 1972) – such as monuments and groups of buildings and sites – as well as intangible heritage (UNESCO 2003) – such as Edlira Menkshi, Ermiona Braholli, Silvja Çobani, Diana Shehu practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated with their environments and communities (Yahaya 2006)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the European Commission, national governments and numerous organisations have undertaken a series of initiatives and projects that are aimed at engaging young people in the preservation and promotion of cultural values from the international level to the local ones
It is observed from the survey that the level of awareness of young people interviewed is higher among those who have been engaged in projects and cultural activities for preservation and promotion of heritage values
Summary
Heritage can be considered everything that has been inherited from the past to the present and that has values for a community, nation or for the entire human society.Regarding Yahaya, the scope and definition of heritage has broadened from tangible to intangible and is internationally agreed to include tangible heritage (UNESCO 1972) – such as monuments and groups of buildings and sites – as well as intangible heritage (UNESCO 2003) – such as Edlira Menkshi, Ermiona Braholli, Silvja Çobani, Diana Shehu practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, the instruments, objects, artefacts and cultural spaces associated with their environments and communities (Yahaya 2006). The Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (Article 2) defines that cultural heritage is a group of resources inherited from the past which people identify, independently of ownership, as a reflection and expression of their constantly evolving values, beliefs, knowledge and tradition It includes all aspects of environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time (CE 2005). The Forum launched the 2018 European Year of Culture Heritage, which aimed to encourage young people to appreciate cultural heritage and to participate in activities for preserving and promoting their values (as ascertained by the author’s participation in the Forum) To fulfil this initiative, the UNESCO and EU undertook a series of awareness activities and projects to strengthen the connections between cultural heritage, youth and education, such as the European Young Heritage Professionals Forum in Zadar Croatia, May, 2019 (UNESCO/EU 2019). Similar to these initiatives and projects, each country should encourage the participation of young people in voluntary activities on awareness and protection of the cultural wealth of their country as well as others
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