How Can Equitable Access to Heritage Help Solve Global Challenges?
An Exploratory Dialogue

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FULL ZOOM RECORDING

On 29 April, 2026 experts from around the globe met at UNESCO House, Salle IX in Paris, France, for a dialogue about the need to ensure equitable access to public domain heritage in the digital environment as a means to address global challenges. This event stimulated conversations on how open access to heritage contributes to six key themes: education for all, climate science, social inclusion, ethical AI, sustainable development, and cultural and linguistic diversity.

Watch individual panel recordings below in English, or the full Zoom recording (link above) with options for French interpretation and transcription in other languages.

Dialogue Welcome and Opening Remarks

  • Anna Tumadóttir
    Chief Executive Officer, Creative Commons

  • Brigitte Vézina
    Director of Policy and Open Culture, Creative Commons

High-Level Contributions on Equitable Access to Heritage in the Context of UNESCO’s Mandate 

Moderator

  • Jennryn Wetzler
    Director of Learning and Training, Creative Commons

Speakers

  • Michael Lampe
    Cultural Ambassador, Government of Aruba

  • Alessandra Luciano
    Head of Coordination of Cultural Digital Strategy, Ministry of Culture, Luxembourg

  • Lutz Möller
    Deputy Secretary-General, German National Commission for UNESCO

Expert Panel I: Global Perspectives on Open Heritage and Education to Address the Climate Crisis

Moderator

  • Manzama Marek Abi
    UNESCO Associate Project Officer
    Focal Point for Africa and Small Island Developing States, Cultural Policies and Development (CLT/CPD)

Speakers

  • Alwaleed Alkhaja
    Head of Open Access and Copyright, Qatar National Library

  • Carlo De Gaetano
    Designer and Researcher, Visual Methodologies Research Group, FDMCI Knowledge Centre, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands

  • Ping Kong
    Founder/CEO, Heritage & Education gGmbH, Secretary-General of ICOMOS ISC Water and Heritage, Steering Member of Europeana Education Community

  • Zeynep Varoglu
    Senior Programme Specialist, Universal Access to Information Section, Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO

Expert Panel II: Global Perspectives on Open Heritage and Ethical Artificial Intelligence

Moderator

  • Anna Tumadóttir

Speakers

  • Lorena Aldana
    Head of External Relations and Advocacy at the Europeana Foundation

  • Johanne Bouchard
    Human Rights Officer at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Expert Panel III: Global Perspectives on Open Heritage and Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability

Moderator

  • Mohamed Ziane Bouziane
    Programme Coordinator
    UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Speakers

  • Erna Lilje
    Curator, Indigenous Knowledge and Material Culture, Wereldmuseum Leiden, Netherlands

  • Marco Rendina
    Managing Director, European Fashion Heritage Association, Italy

  • Jussi Nuorteva
    Former National Archivist of Finland, Chair of the Memory of the World National Committee of Finland

  • Elliott Bledsoe
    Chapter Lead, Creative Commons Australia

Closing Remarks

  • Brigitte Vézina
    Director of Policy and Open Culture, Creative Commons