The Turathuna Foundation was honoured to participate in the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus. As part of the European Heritage Policy Agora 2026, our delegation joined international experts to explore how cultural heritage advances environmental sustainability under the evocative theme: “Mare Nostrum: Championing Environmental Sustainability through Heritage.”

Championing Advocacy and Resilience

Lama Abboud, Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees, represented the Foundation during the session, “Best Practices in Support of Advocacy Action.” She was joined by partners Abdelhamid al-Sharief (Jordan) and Dr. Dareen Al-Khoury (Egypt). This session was held within the framework of the #WithstandingChange project, implemented by the International National Trusts Organisation (INTO) with the invaluable support of the #CulturalProtectionFund (CPF).

The discussion, moderated by the remarkable Catherine Leonard, Secretary General of INTO, provided a platform to present key lessons from the Withstanding Change project. Together, we explored strategies for strengthening the resilience of heritage organisations and local communities across the Mediterranean. The dialogue underscored the critical importance of heritage advocacy, community engagement, and international cooperation in addressing contemporary challenges.

A Beacon of Hope: The Homs First Theatre

A particularly meaningful highlight of the session was the presentation of a documentary film showcasing the restoration and rehabilitation of the First Theatre in Homs. The film was warmly received by attendees, serving as a powerful and inspiring example of how cultural heritage contributes to urban recovery, social cohesion, and hope in the face of adversity. You can view the documentary here: https://lnkd.in/e6cFCf7V.

Heritage as a Living Resource

A core message emerging from the summit was that heritage protection extends far beyond the physical conservation of buildings and sites. True, sustainable heritage safeguarding requires:

• Empowering local communities.
• Fostering local ownership.
• Ensuring active participation in shaping the future.

The resilience of our heritage is fundamentally inseparable from the resilience of the communities that sustain it.

Acknowledgements

We extend our sincere gratitude to INTO, the Cultural Protection Fund (CPF), Stephanie Grant, Europa Nostra, and the Europa Nostra Heritage Hub in Nicosia. We are especially thankful to Vanessa Fraga Prol for creating such a valuable platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.

The Turathuna Foundation is proud to see Syrian experiences represented within this international forum. We remain committed to contributing the lessons learned from our protection and revitalisation efforts in Syria to the global stage. Heritage is not only a legacy of the past; it is a living resource that can help build a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for all.