Thought Leadership Series

About

The Thought Leadership Series is a series of interactive events that explore and debate topical but potentially transformational issues and ideas.  Through these events our intention is to ignite a chain reaction of change in the way we think, work and live.

Our Thought Leadership events feature high profile speakers with the aim of enabling participants to take part in lively discussion and debate that provides food for thought.

Next Event

Can Scotland play a leading role in redefining Heritage?

Wednesday 27th May, 2015
Postgraduate Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh

Before the referendum, the SNP promised that in the event of a yes vote, Scotland would sign up to UNESCO's Charter for Safeguarding of The Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).  Given the result of the vote, Scotland is not in a position to sign the Charter unless it can persuade Westminster of the value of doing so - but should it?  How do we define intangible heritage in Scotland today?  Should language be explicitly identified as ICH and does this include British Sign Language and the languages of migrants?  Does it include aspects of living heritage supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund?  Has ICH any relevance at all for the Historic and Built Environment?  Involving representatives from across the heritage sector, this debate will focus on the heightened awareness of ICH nationally and internationally.  It will explore the implications of ICH for the public sector, from museums to the Historic Environment to universities.  It will ask whether now is the time for Scotland to take a leading role in creatively re-defining the relationship between tangible and intangible heritage by poineering a new holistic approach to heritage that will be of relevance on a global scale.