TR + NL Collaborations

Although protection of cultural heritage is a relatively a new field in Turkey, there is a rapidly increasing cultural heritage movement. Until now there was no distinct cooperation with Dutch organizations. Heritage organizations in the Netherlands, for example archives and museums, did cooperation projects mainly on Turkish migrant groups in the Netherlands focused on themes like diversity, cultural exchange, storytelling and shared history. In Turkey the main institution that brings Dutch and Turkish heritage professionals together is the NIT in Istanbul, mostly by organizing lectures. Knowledge exchange is appreciated, but the lectures are now fragmented. Maybe a more substantial series can be programmed that will also allow students to get study points or those that attend a certificate. It seems essential to involve Turkish and Dutch Universities in any heritage related program for 2012.