19 September. The 2007 ICCROM Forum on Privatisation and Cultural Heritage took place in Catania, Italy  between 13 and 15 September 2007. The event was organized by ICCROM in partnership with the Regione Siciliana, the Fondazione Banco di Sicilia and the Italian National Commission for UNESCO. It was attended by fifty Italian and foreign experts.

Present at the opening of the Forum were: Vice Minister of Culture, Danielle Gattegno Mazzonis; Regional Counsellor of Cultural Heritage, Environment and Education for Sicily, Nicola Leanza; President of the Italian National Commission of UNESCO, Prof. Giovanni Puglisi; Director of Polo Museale of Catania, Enza Cilia Platamone; President of ICCROM Council, Blaine Cliver; and the Director-General of ICCROM, Mounir Bouchenaki.

The five sessions of the Forum were devoted to the following topics:

Privatization and cultural heritage. Analysis of the current situation, including case studies, illustrations of best practice in relation to the privatization of cultural heritage conservation and management, and examples of public-private partnership.

Cooperation and partnership in the conservation and management of cultural heritage for  sustainable development.  Managing public-private partnership, including responsibilities, standards, quality control, and transfer of technology.

Norms and professional standards. Issues related to ownership, governance, standards, incentives for the private sector, educational and training standards and professional recognition.

World heritage Sites in Italy - Management and development. Impacts and challenges of the conservation and management of sites
Cultural heritage values. The relationship between conservation, local economic development and international cooperation.

Ethical implications of a profit-oriented approach. Participation of the private sector in tourism.

updated on: 24 November, 2007