UNESCO “Share our Heritage” Master Class 2007

Under this programme, every year from 2006 to 2008, 120 students from four European and four Australian universities have the opportunity to explore different concepts of heritage and how it should be preserved, from an intercultural perspective.

The first week of the Master Class in Paris (22-27 January 2007) consisted of an exchange of views between the students and experts from the World Heritage Centre. Practical sessions were also organised at a number of heritage sites in Paris.

During the week of the Master Class taking place in the Val de Loire (28 January – 1 February 2007), students and those accompanying them will stay at the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, taking part in a programme of activities including field trips, meetings with local stakeholders and workshop sessions to summarise what they have learned.

The themes covered during the Master Class are the French approach to protected urban heritage areas in districts located alongside rivers, and the question of how to compromise between preserving the old and meeting the needs of people today, with a particular focus on urban expansion, the relationship between town and city centres and the surrounding area, and major risks.