Conflicting Discourses in Interpreting Contested Heritage

The Role of Diverse Communities in Fostering Dialogue for Peacebuilding and Reconciliation

Through ongoing collaboration between academic institutions and civil society organizations, the promotion of inclusive narratives about modernization, colonialism, and war at heritage sites—with active participation from future generations—can significantly contribute to the process of peacebuilding and reconciliation. The International Seminar on Heritage Interpretation, organized since 2022, serves as a valuable platform for bringing together diverse stakeholders to engage in good-faith discussions on interpreting contested heritage.

The seminar featured three sessions exploring how contested heritage is interpreted, challenged, and reimagined:

Session 1: Interpreting Japanese World Heritage Sites focused on the dissonant narratives surrounding Japan’s heritage and strategies for reconciliation.

Session 2: Interpreting Contested Heritage: Memories and Dialogue among Diverse Communities highlighted inclusive approaches in post-conflict settings.

A key presentation, “Layers of Loss and Meaning: Community-Centred Heritage Interpretation in Fragile Contexts – Syria,” explored how local communities shape heritage meaning amid conflict.

Session 3: Voices of Future Generations focused on youth perspectives, emphasizing heritage as a tool for peacebuilding and intergenerational dialogue.