3. Who are we?
We are an independent and non-profit association
that brings together people, from across Europe,
who are professionally involved
in heritage interpretation.
4. Our membership
• Practitioners
• Consultants
• Teachers, trainers, researchers
• Those that use interpretation as a management tool
• Others who want to help further our aims
5. Our mission – 1
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.
6. Our mission – 2
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.
7. Our vision – 1
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.
8. Our vision – 2
• 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.
9. Our vision – 3
• 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.
10. Our vision – 4
• 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.
11. Our vision – 5
• 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.
12. Our membership
Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Denmark,
Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Romania,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA
13. Our history
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
14. Our organisation – 1
The Constitution
defines the roles of the Association
and its constituent parts.
15. Our organisation – 2
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.
16. Our organisation – 3
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.
17. The Committee
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
18. Our organisation – 4
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.
19. Who are the Management?
Patrick Lehnes, Executive Director
Bettina Lehnes, Assistant Director
The Association’s headquarters are in
Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
20. Memorandum of Understanding
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.
