Gotland

December 2011

Interpret Europe

Michael H Glen, Chair

We are an independent and non-profit association

that brings together people, from across Europe,

who are professionally involved

in heritage interpretation.

Who are we?

• Practitioners

• Consultants

• Teachers, trainers, researchers

• Those that use interpretation as a management tool

• Others who want to help further our aims

Our membership

To foster and further good practice and research in

heritage interpretation throughout Europe by:

• providing services to organisations and individuals

• encouraging the exchange of experience and ideas

• collaborating on a Europe-wide basis to raise the

profile and impact of the professional interpretation.

Our mission – 1

Our work complements the activities of

national associations.

We also want to help those who live in countries

which have no association for interpretation.

We aim to establish common standards

for interpretation across Europe.

Our mission – 2

By 2030, heritage interpretation will be established as

the generally-accepted and professional approach to

creating public understanding and appreciation of

natural and cultural heritage throughout Europe.

Our vision – 1

• Heritage site and museum managers will be familiar

with the advantages of professional interpretation.

• Interpretive planning will be seen as a powerful aid to

achieving objectives for sustainable development.

• Interpret Europe’s quality standards will have

established an understanding of good practice.

Our vision – 2

• People will know that it is worth visiting heritage sites

that meet Interpret Europe's quality standards.

• Heritage interpretation will be part of courses

in universities and colleges throughout Europe.

• Research institutions will cooperate in seeking further

and continuing development of best practice.

Our vision – 3

• Volunteers will be encouraged and trained

to play a part in the interpretation of heritage sites and

they will know that they will receive

professional guidance and support.

Our vision – 4

• Interpret Europe itself will have gained a reputation

as an excellent international NGO which

complements the efforts of related organisations.

• Interpret Europe will represent professional

interpreters in European and international debates with

NGOs, EU and other government organisations.

Our vision – 5

Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark,

Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy,

Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania,

Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,

Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA

Our membership

1999 – Conference at Bournemouth University

2000 – Interpret Europe begins as informal network

2007 – Meetings at The Vital Spark, Aviemore, Scotland

2009 – Initiative Group formed at NAI Athens

2010 – Founding Assembly in Ljubjana, Slovenia

2011 – First Annual Conference, Freiburg, Germany

2012 – Second Annual Conference, Pisa, Italy

Our history

The Constitution

defines the roles of the Association

and its constituent parts.

Our organisation – 1

The General Assembly

meets once at the time of the Annual Conference.

It elects the members of the Supervisory Committee

and decides on any changes to the constitution.

Every member of Interpret Europe has one vote.

Our organisation – 2

The Supervisory Committee

appoints and supports the Executive Management

and decides the Association’s policies.

It can appoint working groups and advisors,

and can establish special-interest sections if required.

Our organisation – 3

Michael H Glen, Chair, UK / Scotland

Maurilio Cipparone, Vice-Chair, Italy

Darko Babić, Croatia, José-Maria de Juan, Spain, Marjeta

Keršič-Svetel, Slovenia, Lili Mahne, Slovenia,

Steven Richards-Price, UK / Wales,

Peter Seccombe, UK / England

Iryna Shalaginova, Ukraine / Germany

The Committee

The Executive Management

legally represents the Association.

It runs the secretariat, member services, website,

the General Assembly and the Annual Conference.

It establishes links with other NGOs and European

institutions, and seeks and runs projects.

Our organisation – 4

Who are the Management?

Patrick Lehnes, Executive Director

Bettina Lehnes, Assistant Director

The Association’s headquarters are in

Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

An informal agreement among associations to:

• affirm their support for heritage interpretation as a

professional discipline that transcends all boundaries

• offer reciprocal institutional membership and exchange of

information

• to be represented at conferences and other gatherings

organised by fellow signatories.

Memorandum of Understanding

Interpret Europe is fun!

Come and join us! www.interpret-europe.com