Seminar for Heritage Professionals on Standards for Conservation

Safeguarding Malta’s Past: National Seminar Brings Heritage Professionals Together to Champion Conservation Standards 

From Neolithic temples to baroque palaces, Malta’s cultural heritage is a treasure trove of history – but preserving it is no small task. Recognising the crucial role that shared standards play in ensuring consistent, ethical, and effective conservation, several professionals gathered in Valletta for a seminar dedicated to the topic.

Held at the National Museum of Archaeology, the Local Seminar for Heritage Professionals on Standards for Conservation brought together experts from across the island for a day of discussion, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration. The event was organised with the support of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) and the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government (MHAL), highlighting the growing emphasis on standardisation as a tool for preserving the nation’s cultural identity.

The seminar was made possible through the efforts of the local technical committee for CEN/TC 346 – standards committee for cultural heritage conservation – which includes representatives from the MCCAA, MHAL, the Restoration and Preservation Department (RPD), Heritage Malta, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH), and the University of Malta.

Opening addresses were delivered by Kurt Farrugia, Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, and Carmen Ciantar, CEO of the MCCAA. Both speakers underlined the need for conservation efforts that are methodologically rigorous, ethically grounded, and aligned with international best practices.

A keynote address by Antonio Sansonetti, Chair of CEN/TC 346, gave participants an overview of the European landscape in heritage conservation, setting the stage for a series of thought-provoking presentations. George Cutajar, Director General of the Standards and Metrology Institute at the MCCAA, demystified the concept of standards and explained their role across sectors, while Professor JoAnn Cassar, Head of the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage at the University of Malta, explored the specific benefits of applying standards in the heritage field.

Legal perspectives were brought into focus by Dr Jeanine Rizzo, a legal advisor with expertise in cultural heritage, who examined how Maltese legislation currently incorporates – or could better incorporate – conservation standards.

The highlight of the seminar was a lively panel discussion titled “Standards or No Standards?”, moderated by Joseph Magro Conti, cultural heritage advisor at MHAL. The panel brought together a range of voices from the sector:

- Antonino Sansonetti, Chair of CEN TC 346
- Amanda Degiovanni, Chief Architect and Civil Engineer, RPD
- Veronica Micallef, Architect and Project Manager, Heritage Malta
- Kenneth Cauchi, Conservator and Unit Head, SCH
- James Licari, Conservator and President of MapCoRe (Maltese Association of Professional Conservator-Restorers)
- Nicholas Doublet, Curator and Archivist, Archdiocese of Malta
- Paul Dalli, Architect and Policy Secretary, Kamra tal-Periti

The discussion tackled a number of key themes – from the balance between flexibility and consistency to the cost and accessibility of standards. While panellists acknowledged that standards are generally voluntary, they agreed on their importance in guiding best practice, especially in complex or disputed cases. “Standards are not just technical documents,” one speaker noted. “They’re the result of years of collective experience, research, and lessons learned.”

Accessibility emerged as a concern for many practitioners. George Cutajar explained that the MCCAA is exploring several ways of improving access to standards, including discounted rates through a membership scheme and potential agreements with professional associations.

The seminar also shed light on Malta’s active involvement in European standard-setting through CEN/TC 346. Local experts were encourage to participate in such groups, and provide invaluable expertise which would benefit at the Local and European level.

Education was another theme that surfaced throughout the day. Professor Cassar shared that conservation standards are being integrated into university courses, while other speakers called for more outreach to property owners and contractors. “We need to build awareness beyond our own professional circles,” one panellist said, “so that standards become part of the culture of conservation, not just the policy.”

The seminar concluded with remarks from ministry representatives, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Malta’s conservation framework and supporting the adoption of recognised standards.

As Malta continues to navigate the challenges of heritage preservation in a modern world, events like this seminar serve as a reminder that collective knowledge and collaboration are key. The work of institutions like the MCCAA, MHAL, Heritage Malta, the University of Malta, and others is helping to ensure that the story of Malta – etched in stone, paint, and parchment – is preserved for generations to come.