In response to ongoing security concerns in the region, partners of the TRANSITION project convened virtually for two key sessions of a Validation Workshop to discuss the outcomes of Work Package 2 (WP2), focusing on cultural heritage curricula assessment and the study on minorities in Yemen and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Hosted online on June 17 and July 3, 2025, the two sessions brought together academic staff from Yemeni and Kurdish universities, alongside European partners with the goal to present, discuss and reflect on the WP2 report, jointly drafted by UNIMED and the Soran University, coordinators of the WP2.
The main objective of the report is to assess the current status of cultural heritage education across partner institutions in Yemen and in Kurdistan region of :Iraq and to serve as a baseline study for the next activities of the project
Innovating and updating the existing study programs, by introducing a multidisciplinary approach with a focus on cultural heritage and integrating role of minorities in Kurdistan region of Iraq and Yemen
Strengthening competences and skills of university staff members on the issue of preservation of cultural heritage of minorities
Raising awareness on the importance of conservation and preservation of the intangible and tangible cultural heritage as joint effort between the scientific
community, civil society and policy-makers
The presentation of the report and the partners’ discussions during the two online sessions revealed a number of common challenges:
Marginalization of intangible heritage: Intangible cultural heritage remains underrepresented or excluded in existing academic programs.
Lack of practical training: Curricula are largely theoretical, offering limited hands-on experience or engagement with real-world applications.
Underexplored economic potential: Cultural heritage’s role in driving sustainable economic sectors such as tourism and crafts is largely neglected.
Need for community engagement: Students are not adequately trained in preservation practices that involve and benefit local communities.
Therefore, to address these gaps and challenges, TRANSITION will seek to align heritage education with job market and sustainable development goals, will strengthen capacity for Cultural Heritage Documentation and Protection, will embed Cultural Heritage in Sustainable Development and Tourism Policies, by promoting Gender-Inclusive Heritage Practices
As the TRANSITION project progresses, the final report on cultural heritage curricula assessment and the study on minorities in the target regions will soon be published.
Cultural heritage preservation holds peacebuilding potential, especially in conflict-affected regions, if inclusivity is embraced. The report will be an important milestone of the TRANSITION project, with a broader impact for the ones interested in cultural heritage and minority protection.
