Toward a New Vision for Heritage – Launch of National Conversation
Ottawa, ON – March 11, 2013 – HCF Working Groups made up of volunteers who are taking the lead in developing an action plan for the future of heritage conservation in Canada began meeting this week to review and refine a new Vision developed during the National Heritage Summit held last October.
Born out of a desire to heighten the relevance and social purpose of efforts to conserve, rehabilitate and celebrate heritage buildings, natural sites and communities, the Vision was recently published in the February issue of Municipal World and will become a roadmap for collective action, launching HCF’s 40th anniversary conference, Regeneration: Heritage Leads the Way.
HCF is committed to engaging as many people as possible in this important exercise. Over the coming weeks, HCF will offer online opportunities for members of the heritage community and others from across the country to comment on Working Group results and provide input into this exciting new national initiative.
The Five Vision Statements are as follows:
1. Conservation is about community, local identity, economic self sufficiency, social inclusion and cultural vitality.
2. Heritage is conservation: Heritage-led regeneration is a powerful antidote to the crisis of consumerism and disposability.
3. Heritage is in demand: We envision a future where the tangible benefits of heritage are recognized by society and seen as worth investing in. Moving beyond rules and regulations, governments have become enablers.
4. Heritage is more than buildings: Our sphere of interest and influence has expanded to embrace the entire environment, including spirit of place, community, memories, stories and traditions.
5. Heritage reflects broader perspectives: The heritage sector seeks to better recognize and embrace the perspectives, interests and values of a broader public, including youth, and expand the sphere of engaged stakeholders to include non-traditional partners.
A more detailed article by HCF executive director, Natalie Bull, entitled “Regeneration: Toward a new vision for heritage” is in the February issue of Municipal World.
Contact:
Carolyn Quinn, Director of Communications, cquinn@heritagecanada.org
Telephone: (613) 237-1066 ext 229; Cell (613) 797-7206
