Interdisciplinary seminar “Climate, Culture and Quality of Life” in Riga

The Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, the Latvian National Heritage Board and ICOMOS Latvia together with the Saeima Committee for Education, Culture, and Science, the Saeima Committee for social and Employment Matters, the National Library of Latvia, the French Institute in Latvia, and the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences of the University of Latvia are organising a seminar “Climate, culture and quality of life:, during which Latvian and foreign experts specialising in culture and nature sciences and policy planners will share their knowledge in strengthening the role of the culture and discuss the future scenarios as we face climate change. 

The hybrid event will be divided into four different sections: 

• “Climate and cultural policy” will address the role of culture in solving climate change challenges.
• “Climate and the cultural and historical environment” will focus on the potential of the tangible cultural heritage in the context of climate change and on the engagement of local communities in sustainable environmental development.
• “Climate, culture and environment” will look at the dialogue between culture and ecology, and the cultural and natural heritage in the context of climate change, its impact on natural processes, ecosystems and urban environment.
• “Climate and intangible cultural heritage” will examine how climate and environmental change affect traditions. 

As part of the first section, Ugis Zanders, the CBSS Adviser for Sustainable & Prosperous Region, will highlight the climate challenges in the Baltic Sea region and how culture can contribute to the response to them. 

Each thematic section will present both the international and theoretical context, an analysis of the situation in Latvia, case stories and a discussion. The planned outcome of the seminar is the policy brief on the linkages between climate change policies and actions and the contribution of cultural heritage to address the challenge. 

Date: 15 February, 9.00-16.00 
Place: Parliament of Latvia (Saeima Baltic Hall), Riga, Latvia

See the full agenda here.

Read more about the seminar on the UNESCO website.