Benefit 3: redefine best practices
If we accept that this diverse group of people conserving a vast expanse of cultural heritage exists within complex, intertwining systems, we gain the freedom to admit that best practices are situational rather than universal. With this change we become more inclusive of the ways heritage is preserved.
How do you see “best practices” supporting or getting in the way of the work you are trying to achieve?
This is both inspiring and challenging. Best practice has meant recommending solutions that I know are unaffordable but it can also be a useful starting point. If you understand why it is considered best practice, you can start to pick and choose if it is really best in this situation. I love the idea of including the environmental and societal impact into our “best practice” decision making. Conservation doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game (ex. giving access to an object doesn’t have to be thought of as taking away from its preservation).