Administrators: together for the Dolomites World Heritage Site
On 15 and 16 November, Andalo (province of Trento) hosted the third meeting organised by the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation. Tens of directors participated, from various valleys across the World Heritage Site.
KEYWORD: FUTURE
“It is very important to bring together local administrators from valleys across the Dolomites who share the same values but also have many differences and unique characteristics. UNESCO status, in fact, can and must be increasingly understood by local communities as a commitment and a responsibility for the future”, commented Giulia Zanotelli, Councillor for agriculture, promotion of products from Trento, environment, hydrogeological defence and local bodies of the Autonomous Province of Trento, speaking via videocall on the first day. “The meeting not only serves to update local administrators on the meaning of UNESCO status, but to promote sharing of ideas between administrators in the mountain area, where it is essential to achieve a balance between humans and the natural environment through best practices, clearly focused on the future of the mountain landscapes of Trentino, Veneto, South Tyrol and Friuli.”
INVALUABLE DIALOGUE
“This is the third edition” highlighted the Foundation’s Director, Mara Nemela, “following previous meetings in Belluno and Primiero San Martino di Castrozza. One of the aims of the Foundation itself is to promote awareness amongst local communities and help administrators to understand the geological, geomorphological and landscape aspects of the Heritage that these communities are custodians of.” The programme began on 15 November in the Sala Civica rooms of the Municipality of Andalo with an institutional introduction from Mayor, Alberto Perli: “We often focus on urban planning or environmental restrictions and we don’t speak enough about the future power of these beautiful mountains,” stated the Mayor.
There were also greetings from Francesco Barone, Chairman of the BoD of the Trentino School of Management, Luca D’Angelo, Director of APT Dolomiti Paganella and Cornelia Donini, Councillor for the Paganella area of the Adamello Brenta Natural Park.
Many other administrators were present from across the other provinces and regions, especially the Belluno area. These included Deputy-President of the Province of Belluno, Silvia Calligaro: “This is a great opportunity for exchange between areas with common natural heritage but very different social and economic features”, she noted.
TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS FOR THE FUTURE
The meeting, moderated by Gianluca Cepollaro, Director of TSM-STEP School for Regional and Landscape Management, welcomed speaker Piero Gianolla, a geologist and member of the Scientific Committee, from the University of Ferrara. This was followed by a discussion of changes in the mountains and the communities living there by Paolo Castelnovi, Chairperson of Landscapefor. Michele Lanzinger, Chairperson of ICOM Italia, spoke about the role of nature and cultural institutions in promoting UNESCO Sites. “Our administrators are responsible because they have a relationship with the citizens who elected them,” stated Lanzinger. The second day continued with future workshops led by Antonio Furlanetto and Giulia Fasoli of SKOPÌA, a company supporting the development of predictive skills based on Future Studies.
This activity is part of the project “Capacity building. Strengthening the social and regional capital of the Dolomites World Heritage Site (WHS) for lasting and sustainable development of local communities”, established with the support of Fondo Comuni Confinanti.
