Earlier this week, our colleagues Nicole and María Teresa were in the Normandie region of France to support the first in‑person workshop of the PPSF – Preserving the Past, Securing the Future programme, organized by the LRE Foundation in partnership with Juno Beach Center and the Fondazione Campus Studi del Mediterraneo.
The workshop brought together museum and memorial‑site professionals from Poland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, France and Germany, all committed to integrating sustainable development into their institutions. Prior to the on‑site sessions, participants completed three online training modules introducing the foundations of sustainable management for memory tourism.
Day 1 – Learning from the Juno Beach Centre
The first day took place at the Juno Beach Centre, which served as a living example of how sustainability can be translated into daily operations. After a welcome session and a recap of the online modules, participants explored the Centre’s CSR strategy, action plan, and practical initiatives through a guided tour of both the museum and Juno Park.
This exchange highlighted how a clear strategic vision – paired with pragmatic, achievable actions – can make sustainability tangible and meaningful for visitors as well as staff.
Day 2 – Moving from Concepts to Action
The second day focused on applying sustainability in participants’ own contexts. Each professional presented three concrete actions their institution will implement by June 2026, addressing themes such as resource efficiency, inclusive visitor experience, interpretation practices, and long‑term management.
These peer exchanges helped participants refine their priorities, identify quick wins, and plan longer‑term improvements. As one participant shared, the workshop enabled a better understanding of actions “that can be implemented immediately, as well as those that contribute to a longer strategic journey.”
What Comes Next
The PPSF programme continues with several upcoming activities:
- Online mentoring sessions with sustainability experts
- April workshop at the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk, focusing on the social dimension of sustainable development in museums
- June workshop in Lucca, Italy, dedicated to governance and management challenges
Participants left inspired by the Juno Beach Centre’s balance of ambition and pragmatism. As one commented: “This pilot project shows how memorial sites can look toward the future while preserving the past.”
We thank all participants, partners, and the Juno Beach Centre team for the insightful discussions, openness, and enthusiasm. mascontour is proud to contribute to strengthening sustainability in memory tourism and supporting institutions in shaping responsible remembrance for future generations.
