2nd Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes

Lugano (Switzerland), 12–13 November 2026

draft programme

The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe is a long-standing programme that identifies and connects tangible and intangible heritage across borders to promote democracy, human rights, intercultural dialogue and access to culture for all. Through certified routes spanning multiple countries and themes – ranging from pilgrimage paths to craft traditions; from architecture to archaeology, from European figures to landscapes – the programme fosters cultural cooperation, cultural heritage interpretation and safeguarding, sustainable tourism, education, and local development. The routes are living networks of stakeholders committed to common values and shared European memory, aimed at strengthening social cohesion and mutual understanding; furthermore, they support sustainable, “slow” tourism, attracting visitors to lesser known, rural areas. [More info here]

The University Network for Cultural Routes Studies brings together academic institutions and scholars engaged in research, education, and knowledge transfer on the cultural routes. Its goals are to:

• consolidate and advance scientific knowledge about the programme and its certified routes;
• support evidence-informed policies and practices, providing methodological rigor and usable knowledge to route managers, public authorities, and civil society;
• foster interdisciplinary collaboration among tourism, heritage, communication, digital humanities, geography, history, economics, and territorial studies;
• build capacity through shared data, comparative methods, and methodological standards that enable monitoring, evaluation, and innovation across the network.

The 1st International Conference on Universities and Cultural Routes took place on 13–14 November 2024 in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, co-hosted by the European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR) and the Compostela Group of Universities.

The 2nd International Conference is organized and hosted by the European Institute of Cultural Routes in collaboration with the UNESCO Chair in ICT to develop and promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage Sites of USI – Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano (Switzerland).

Building on the first edition, it aims at:

• highlighting and discussing research and academic activities related to cultural routes;
• strengthening the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies, providing a foundation for collective action;
• fostering collaboration between academics and practitioners, shaping future research agendas and offering scientific advice to the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme;
• disseminating scientific knowledge about the cultural routes and their role in promoting an European identity.

The conference will take place in Lugano (Switzerland), at USI - Università della Svizzera italiana.

How to register, Funding & Fees: As a contribution towards the cost of the event, we ask for a registration fee of CHF 120.-, which includes three coffee breaks, two standing lunches, one dinner, and a visit to the Fortress of Bellinzona (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The amount is not reimbursable and not negotiable.

Click on the button below to register: