Communication and Exploration Foreword Human communities have always been fascinated by the past, using the information gained from elders, the landscape, ancient sites and objects to plan for the future. More or less consciously, innovation is often based on the knowledge we have inherited from earlier genera- tions. Such knowledge is not only a variety of technical skills and tradi- tional savoir-faire, but also a range of behaviours: uses and reciprocities, covenants and unwritten rules, mutual exchanges and informal rela- tionships that can be defined as “social capital”. These assets may be regarded as trivial, and may even be disregarded when things work well, but can be an important resource in a crisis. The central role which heritage can play in order to enhance and pre- serve this particular kind of wealth is increasingly recognised. Today’s public policies value heritage and culture, they are no longer simply regarded as resources used only for entertainment. Ecomuseum policies and practices, which embody both cultural and local development initiatives, are a prominent example of this new trend. Some thirty years after the first ecomuseum projects were initiated, they now operate in every corner of the world. Some indication of the strength of the ecomuseum movement was demonstrated at the Com- munication and Exploration Conference held in Guizhou, China. More than a hundred scholars and practitioners from fifteen countries on the five continents met in 2005 to talk together and share ideas and ex- periences. The themes discussed indicated the very real challenges facing contemporary society, and highlighted the connections between history, memory and innovation. One of these challenges relates to our ability to provide for the devel- opment and welfare of communities while encouraging sustainable so- lutions to natural and cultural heritage preservation. To cherish the in- heritance of the past means also to respect the inhabitants and the in- dividuals of the present. Respectful and sustainable development can- not rely upon simple or unfailing formulas, yet in the difficult arenas of local development - in Europe and in China - this is one of the most deep-rooted concerns of academic scholars and people working in the field. The concept that knowledge is a strategic resource is also deep-rooted yet in a contemporary context, knowledge cannot be grounded in technical skills alone. This implies that it is important for all actors to be part of a large and interactive network. This will help to es- tablish relationships, to encourage field initiatives, exchange experi- ences and evidence of successful projects. A network is also able to provide fertile soil for the everyday communication of scholars, local leaders and activists, and politicians. When mutual learning leans on such a framework it can spread a positive and powerful influence. Achieving development and heritage conservation is a demanding challenge. The experiences of the participants in the Communication and Exploration suggest that solutions can be found. Margherita Cogo Deputy Chairman and Head of the Culture Department Autonomous Provincial Authority of Trento, Italy The Provincia di Trento is an autonomous local authority according to Italian Constitutional Law. As a consequence it deals with all subjects not expressly included in the central state competencies. In 2000 it passed a law titled “Creation of ecomuseums for the exploitation of local tradition and culture” and actively promoted the establishment of ecomuseums in the area. According to this law, Trento Province coordinates the activities of recognised ecomuseums, provides information and advertising campaigns, publishing facilities, and technical support to newly-proposed projects, and ensures that ecomuseum staff are professionally trained. In 2004 it was among the promoters of the European network of ecomuseums. IRES is the research institute of the regional government of Piedmont (Italy). It provides guidance and input to regional policies and suggests ways to make those policies more effective in the long term. To do this it carries out surveys according to the needs of the regional communities; it promotes long-lasting relationships with the regional governments and other key stakeholders and interest groups to ensure the delivery of regional policies. IRES applies a cooperative and interdisciplinary work approach within the scientific community and its methodology is based on continuous collaboration with the bodies working in the region and more widely in Europe, including local governments, parks, museums and university departments. The International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS) at the University of Newcastle is a well established and renowned organisation whose primary roles are: to produce, stimulate and supervise cutting edge research (applied and pure) relating to the history, philosophy and practices operating in the cultural and heritage sectors; to provide postgraduate vocational training for those who wish to work in the cultural and heritage sector, including museums, galleries, the historic and natural environment and the conservation and interpretation of intangible heritage; to provide consultancy expertise and professional advice. The Chinese Society of Museums is the largest non-governmental organisation of museums and museum professionals in China. Its main tasks are to encourage and carry out museological research and to facilitate international academic and professional exchange. It seeks to improve the professional and academic standards of museums and their workers by promoting the activities of domestic museums and enabling the exchange of ideas between museum professionals in China. It does this through its conference programme, its edited proceedings and the publication of its journal, Chinese Museum, and other monographs. The Liuzhi Principles The people of the villages are the true owners of their culture. They have the right to interpret and validate it themselves. The meaning of culture and its values can be defined only by human perception and interpretation based on knowledge. Cultural compe- tence must be enhanced. Public participation is essential to the ecomuseums. Culture is a common and democratic asset, and must be democratically man- aged. When there is a conflict between tourism and preservation of culture the latter must be given priority. The genuine heritage should not be sold out, but production of quality souvenirs based on traditional crafts should be encouraged. Long term and holistic planning is of utmost importance. Short time economic profits that destroy culture in the long term must be avoided. Cultural heritage protection must be integrated in the total environ- mental approach. Traditional techniques and materials are essential in this respect. Visitors have a moral obligation to behave respectfully. They must be given a code of conduct. There is no bible for ecomuseums. They will all be different accord- ing to the specific culture and situation of the society they present. Social development is a prerequisite for establishing ecomuseums in living societies. The well-being of the inhabitants must be enhanced in ways that do not compromise traditional values. The international editorial board included: Su Donghai, Zhang Jinping, Peter Davis, Hugues de Varine and Maurizio Maggi. Special thanks are due to Peter Davis (Professor of Museology, ICCHS, University of Newcastle) who patiently revised the English translations of the texts. Preface ‘Communication and Exploration’ was one of the most fascinating meetings promoting new museology held in recent years. The Guiyang seminar and the study trips to ecomuseums in Guizhou (Suojia, Zhen- shan and Tang’an), Inner Mongolia (Olunsum) and Guangxi (Huaili), was a schedule that demanded deep and passionate involvement from the participants. It was an opportunity not only for more than one hun- dred museum professionals and local leaders (coming from 15 coun- tries and five continents) to meet, but also to create a connection be- tween two worlds, East and West, and their cultures. The ‘Wind and Rain’ bridge of Sanjiang on the first pages of this book reflects that connection and a need for continuing and intense dialogue in the future. Both common elements and different and inspiring approaches emerged from the meeting. Among the former is the idea that commu- nity wellbeing is the first aim of any local cultural project, a point that is effectively enshrined in the Liuzhi principles. An interesting and stimulating feature - and one that is unique to Chi- nese museology - is the awareness that when facing the deep and worldwide changes affecting humankind, the future must be anticipated, not suffered. This was shown to be possible when an effective and balanced alliance appeared between the scientific community, local leaders, experts and local people. Communities which are aware of the value of their places and active in its preservation are a crucial element for successful ecomuseums. The recognition of the need for this ap- proach proved to be the principal recommendation of the final forum of the conference. Maurizio Maggi IRES, Institute for Social and Economic Research Index Su Donghai, Chinese Ecomuseum: the path of development 1 Su Donghai 5 The establishment and sustainable development of ecomuseums in China Dag Myklebust 9 The ecomuseum project in Guizhou from a Norwegian point of view Hu Chaoxiang 17 Ecomuseums in Guizhou: practices and explorations