New Framework Agreement strengthens links between ICCROM and Italy

ICCROM and the Fondazione Scuola dei beni e delle attività culturali sign a strategic partnership agreement to internationalize Italian expertise.

With the aim of boosting the internationalization of the Italian cultural heritage system and of exporting Italian expertise in cultural heritage management, research and training, an agreement was signed today between Carla Di Francesco, former director of the Fondazione Scuola dei beni e delle attività culturali and special commissioner since 9 October 2019, and Webber Ndoro, Director-General of ICCROM.

The agreement will be of strategic importance for international cultural policies in Italy, and will reinforce the specificity of Italian know-how in relation to cultural heritage management.

"Internationalization is one of the priorities of the Foundation, which in a few days will launch the International School of Heritage, the first course for officials and professionals in the cultural sector of the Mediterranean countries," explains Carla Di Francesco. "But in order to best carry out this mission, strategic partnerships are needed that are capable of strengthening the entire system."

Underlining the importance of ICCROM to continuously strengthen collaboration with its host country, Webber Ndoro commented, “partnership with Italian institutions is fundamental, both for the expertise that they bring to the cultural heritage field, and for us as an organization that is currently celebrating sixty years of longstanding collaboration with Italy. We are pleased to be embarking on this new endeavour with the Fondazione.”

The agreement therefore aims at a complementarity and integration of competences: the Fondazione Scuola dei beni e delle attività culturali, established by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism (MIBACT), is the main national subject for higher education in heritage management, and ICCROM, an intergovernmental organization created by UNESCO, focuses on promoting conservation of cultural heritage of all kinds.

This successful teaming up will promote the dissemination of positive examples and good practice, which will enable Italy to strengthen its prominent role at the international level in the field of heritage conservation and management.