This year at the invitation of the University of Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium), and with the support of the FNRS, the Group held its annual meeting on 8 and 9 April at the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. The Group’s kind host was Professor Jean-Marie Yante. During the meeting, 14 participants from ten countries convened to discuss the Group’s new theme on The Administration of Historical, Artistic and Cultural Heritage. Over the next two years, international experts, including public administration specialists, historians, political scientists and legal experts will be meeting to examine this theme in a multidisciplinary perspective. With a view to preparing comparative conclusions, the Rapporteur, Stefan Fisch, drew up a framework to ensure that participants could approach the study on a systematic and conceptual basis.

After a lively discussion, the framework was finalized taking into account the participants’ comments and suggestions. It is hoped that commonalities and differences highlighted in the national studies will throw light on the diverse ways in which heritage is managed. Country studies to be included: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom, United States. Country studies will be presented at next year’s meeting which will be held on 29 April 2006. Confirmation of the venue is expected soon.

The participants also appreciated a walk that was organized to visit the university campus and the centre of Louvain-la-Neuve on the Sunday morning following the Group’s meeting.