On June 27th, Rawafed, the Cultural Project for The Syria Trust for Development and the Danish Institute in Damascus launched a forum on “The Integration of Culture in Local Development” which focused on the important role of culture in international development efforts.

Held at the Danish Institute, the forum comprised five sessions over two days, bringing together researchers, national and international experts, policy-makers and representatives from NGOs and international organizations to discuss the importance of cultural considerations in local development planning. Experts also presented a range of experiences and models on local, regional and global levels, specifically case studies that have successfully integrated culture in the development planning process.

By highlighting and exploring these experiences, the forum aimed to help participants reach a better conceptual and practical understanding of cultural integration in local and regional development plans, and reach suggestions on possible mechanisms that may be applicable to Syria.

In detail, the forum also discussed ways in which cultural resources can be invested to create industries and job opportunities through projects that contribute to the development of the local community, and at the same time preserve and promote the region’s cultural identity and heritage.

The forum also responded to the emerging global trends for adopting a participatory approach in cultural planning, to empower communities (individuals and groups) to play a key role in selecting and creating cultural projects that improve their quality of life.

Based on these approaches, Rawafed began an initiative to map and define cultural assets and resources in the region of Wadi Al-Nadara in 2009.

Research on this project was implemented by Rawafed, and sponsored by the Delegation of the European Union to Syria, the Danish Institute in Damascus and L’Institut Français du Proche-Oreint. A phase report of this initiative was presented at the forum.

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