The event, Contributing to Better Lives through Cultural Capital, brought together heritage experts and economists from UK and Italy to discuss the value of culture.

This event is part of the Valuing Cultural Capital series, organised by International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and the University of Glasgow. It was held at the official residence of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Italy and the Ministry of Culture of Italy on 5 and 6 December, and brought together heritage experts and economists to brainstorm how we can measure the value of our heritage and amplify it. 

The events explored the vital role culture and cultural heritage play in bettering people's lives and how we might acknowledge this contribution more holistically within policy and decision-making in order to promote wellbeing.    

Keynote speakers David Throsby, Distinguished Professor of Economics at Macquarie University, Australia, and Harmann Sagger, Head Economist for Arts, Heritage and Tourism at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport of the United Kingdom, discussed the economic value of culture and heritage.

Professor Patrizia Riganti, Professor in Tourism from the School of Social and Environmental Sustainability at the University of Glasgow, chaired the expert panel discussion.

Speakers and guests were welcomed by Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli; Lizzie Lovat, Advisor of the Political and Bilateral Section of the British Embassy in Rome; Joseph King, Senior Director of ICCROM; and Erminia Sciacchitano, Senior Advisor on Multilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Culture of Italy.

Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli said: "As a historic University with a rich and diverse heritage, we understand the immense value of culture to our collective understanding of key issues, the communities we serve, the economy and the wellbeing of society as a whole.

"I’m pleased that colleagues from the University of Glasgow are collaborating with partners like ICCROM to share their insights and expertise in this field of research, shaping our wider understanding of the hidden value of cultural capital and the social benefits that it can bring."

A workshop on the following day focused on using economic methods to inform heritage policy and investment decisions. 

The events were attended by representatives from ICCROM member states and other organisations, and are a continuation of joint efforts between ICCROM and the University of Glasgow to nurture research about valuing cultural capital.

Read the full event summary on the ICCROM website 

First published: 8 December 2023

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