Governing Heritage Dissonance -

Effective governance of dissonant heritage shifts from "expert-led" models to "participatory" models. Key strategies include:

In nations like South Africa or Rwanda, governing heritage involves "sites of conscience" that prioritize healing and truth-telling over traditional tourism.

1. Introduction: Defining the Dissonant Past Governing Heritage Dissonance

The goal of governing heritage dissonance is not to erase conflict, but to manage it in a way that promotes social cohesion. By acknowledging that heritage is dynamic and often painful, policy-makers can transform sites of division into spaces for dialogue and education.

Create permanent advisory boards composed of diverse community stakeholders, not just historians or archaeologists. Introduction: Defining the Dissonant Past The goal of

Heritage dissonance occurs when different groups attribute conflicting meanings to the same historical site, object, or tradition. Because heritage is a contemporary tool used to build identity, it is inherently selective; one group’s celebration of a "golden age" often represents another’s memory of oppression or exclusion. Governing this dissonance requires moving beyond simple preservation toward a framework of mediation and inclusive storytelling. Conflict typically arises from three primary sources:

Tension between architects/conservators focusing on physical integrity and communities focusing on the lived experience or spiritual significance of a site. 3. Frameworks for Governance and Management it is inherently selective

When official state "authorized heritage discourses" (AHD) ignore the traumatic or marginalized experiences of minority groups.