One of the proposals to emerge from the 20th edition of the Mediterranean Bourse of Archaelogical Tourism in Paestum was to involve migrants in the conservation of major archeological sites like Pompeii. It was also suggested that greater cooperation be fostered between UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout the Mediterranean.
The event was held among archeological sites in the town in the Salerno province in southern Italy. Pompeii and Petra may have a role in migrant reception archeological sites, especially those under UNESCO protection such as Pompeii and Petra in Jordan, are willing to play a role in the reception of migrants, Pompeii director Massimo Osanna said. ''I have already initiated contact,'' Osanna said, ''with prefect's offices. These people often have skills that we have lost.'' Osanna's announcement came during a meeting with Princess Dana Firas, head of Jordan's Petra National Trust.
Both Petra and Pompeii have been crossroads of races, cultures and religions and represent - speakers at the Bourse said - how reception was an intangible, unquestionable value. In the Jordanian site, for example, tourism is expected to recover soon after a slump caused by tension and conflicts in the region and there are layers than go back some 10,000 years in history. ''We have started,'' princess Firas said, ''projects that involve the young generations, going into schools and reproducing the daily life of our ancesctors.''
'Greater cooperation between UNESCO sites is needed'
A project that will be presented to the European Commission was launched in Paestum to valorise all UNESCO World Hertage sites across the Mediterranean area in cooperation with the countries they are located in. ''The Paestum site, with its Bourse,'' said Francesco Caruso, advisor for international and UNESCO relations to the Campania regional governor, ''can be the incubator or launchpad and the Campania region can be the pilot for this strategy.''
Account by last director of the Palmyra archaeological site
One of the most moving moments during the speeches was the account given by Waleed Al-Asaad, the last director of the Palmyra archeaological area and its museum and son of Khaled Al-Asaad, an archeaologist who held the same role from 1963 until 2003 and who paid with his life for having defeneded archaeological treasures from the Islamic State (ISIS). ''The choice to target our father,'' he said, ''a man well known for his scientific prowess and humanity, was dictated by the desire to shock the world and create a feeling of terror within the Syrian community.''