Welcoming Europa Nostra

‍Europa Nostra and GECoRPA, the Portuguese Heritage Guild, coincide in most of their goals: both are fully committed to safeguarding the built cultural heritage; both campaign against threats to vulnerable heritage buildings, historical centers and landscapes, both lobby for sustainable policies and pursue excellence as an objective in all conservation and restoration actions of the built cultural heritage.This identity of objectives was recognized by our association, right from its onset and explains our longtime membership with Europa Nostra.Architectural heritage being the work of the master builders of old, GECoRPA believes that their successors, present day qualified builders, organized in appropriately structured companies, are in the best position to carry out, in practice, the actions necessary to its conservation and restoration.However, GECoRPA also recognizes the multidisciplinar character of this field, and therefore the need to bring together various disciplines and skills, namely those related to art history, archeology and conservation science.As the contribution brought about by the enhancement of cultural heritage to the competitiveness of towns, regions and countries becomes more and more clear to the decision makers, both public and private, a growing demand for smart preservation and restoration will certainly follow.Aware of the high responsibilities involved in dealing with the Heritage, all the way from strategy definition to actual jobsite activities, GECoRPA gives top priority to the qualification of enterprises operating in this field. Such qualification depends chiefly on the company’s  organizational capacity, and on the skilled craftsmen, capable technicians and competent managers present in its staff. These are precisely the two main attributes on which the qualification system proposed by our association is based. GECoRPA’s proposal contributes to the attainment of a three-fold objective: better quality of the interventions, higher added value of the services rendered by the sector’s enterprises and a strong stimulus to the much needed workforce qualification.As a member of Europa Nostra, our association, which celebrates this year its 15^th anniversary, is happy to welcome the European Heritage Congress 2012 and to cooperate with Centro Nacional de Cultura in its organization. The issue of “Pedra & Cal” which you have in your hands includes some material in English, intended for the foreign participants, namely a description of the old Black Gunpowder Factory of Vale de Milhaços, one of the items in the technical visits program, and a brief explanation of the above mentioned enterprise qualification system. It also highlights some of the subjects of the congress in the intention of the Portuguese Heritage stake holders, either congress participants or at large.