Encuentro académico internacional enfocado en repensar la gestión de la cultura, el patrimonio mundial y el turismo bajo perspectivas críticas, inclusivas y sostenibles. El evento promueve el intercambio de conocimientos entre investigadores, docentes y profesionales, abordando ejes como el poscolonialismo, procesos socioespaciales y nuevos modelos de patrimonio local. Es un espacio clave de cooperación global bajo la red UNITWIN/UNESCO para fortalecer el desarrollo institucional y las políticas turísticas.

November 23–27, 2026, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Bogotá.

In-person event

Argument and purpose

Critical schools of thought have transformed the social sciences by opening alternative ways of understanding and narrating the present and the past. Postcolonial, decolonial and post-Western perspectives challenge established power hierarchies, value systems and dominant interpretive frameworks, while encouraging dialogue between the Global North and Global South.

The conference invites reflection on how authenticity, identity, interculturality, equity, social justice, power struggles, discrimination and heritage representation are being rethought. It examines the ways in which heritage communicates particular worldviews and how tourism can both perpetuate these narratives and serve as an instrument for heritage management.

These narratives and imaginaries shape how culture and heritage are understood, represented, used and commercialised, generating socio-spatial dynamics around heritage sites that may benefit or harm local communities. Locally based heritage in urban-rural frontiers and rural areas is particularly relevant because it can connect cultural identities, strengthen community participation and social cohesion, and support the continuity of traditional practices and local histories.

The event therefore seeks to reinterpret histories and narratives associated with culture and heritage and to develop new scientific and academic approaches to the management and use of heritage in tourism. Its contributions will support the production of emerging knowledge through ongoing North-South dialogues.

Thematic axes

1. Postcolonialism, decolonization and post-Westernism in heritage and tourism

Critical perspectives on the relations between culture, heritage, World Heritage, tourism and local communities, including contested heritage, conflicting values, community authority over cultural narratives, democratisation of heritage and the commodification of heritage values.

2. Emerging perspectives in heritage and tourism management

New forms of collaborative management, locally grounded approaches, the role of communities in assigning meaning and value to heritage, the effects of tourism on local valuations, and sustainable strategies that protect cultural values.

3. Socio-spatial processes, narratives, imaginaries and their impact on the management of tourism places

The social, spatial, cultural and economic transformations generated by tourism, including overtourism, gentrification, displacement, changing uses of public space, new tourism imaginaries, local identity, destination marketing and the ethical implications of tourism narratives.

4. New heritage and locally based heritage in urban and rural areas

The creation and revaluation of new heritage; everyday practices and objects as cultural heritage; heritage in urban-rural frontiers and rural areas; community-led patrimonialisation; and alternatives to top-down processes that marginalise local identities.

5. Other topics related to the management of culture, heritage, World Heritage and tourism

Additional contributions that broaden reflection on the management of culture and heritage and their relationship with tourism are also welcome.

Presentation options and submission guidelines

All proposals will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee. Abstracts must be submitted as a Word document in Spanish or English to the email address indicated below.

1. Paper presentation

Abstract length: 800–1,000 words (long abstract).

• Body text in Arial 11 pt; 2.5 cm margins; single line spacing.

• APA-style citations and references (7th edition).

• No tables, graphs or photographs.

• Word format.

Required content: title; author name(s), institutional affiliation(s), correspondence/mailing address, email address and short biography; thematic axis; presentation option; no more than five keywords in the original language and in English; objectives; theoretical foundations; relevance; methodology; main findings; conclusion; and references.

2. Poster

Abstract length: 500–800 words (short abstract).

• Body text in Arial 11 pt; 2.5 cm margins; single line spacing.

• APA-style citations and references (7th edition).

• No tables, graphs or photographs in the abstract.

• Word format.

Required abstract content: title; author name(s), institutional affiliation(s), correspondence/mailing address, email address and short biography; thematic axis; presentation option; no more than five keywords in the original language and in English; purpose; objectives; theoretical foundations; methodology; main findings; conclusion; and references.

Poster specifications: 0.80 m × 0.90 m; title in Arial 48 pt, author names in Arial 34 pt, institutional affiliations in Arial 28 pt, and content in Arial 28 pt. The poster must be printed. Photographs, graphs and logos must fit these dimensions, and all images must be the authors’ own work or free of copyright restrictions.

3. Atelier (workshop)

Abstract length: 500–800 words (short abstract).

• Body text in Arial 11 pt; 2.5 cm margins; single line spacing.

• APA-style citations and references.

• No tables, graphs or photographs.

• Word format.

Required content: title of the atelier; author name(s), institutional affiliation(s), correspondence/mailing address, email address and short biography; thematic axis; presentation option; no more than five keywords in the original language and in English; introduction; purpose; objectives; atelier methodology; and expected results and learning outcomes.

4. Talking Circle

Abstract length: 500–800 words (short abstract).

• Body text in Arial 11 pt; 2.5 cm margins; single line spacing.

• APA-style citations and references.

• No tables, graphs or photographs.

• Word format.

Required content: title; author name(s), institutional affiliation(s), correspondence/mailing address, email address and short biography; thematic axis; presentation option; no more than five keywords in the original language and in English; introduction; purpose; objectives; methodology; and expected results and learning outcomes.

Submission and contact information

Deadline: August 30, 2026.

Submission email: [email protected]

Telephone: (+57 1) 353 7000, extensions 1411, 1402 and 1405.

Official event page

Scientific Committee

• María Gravari-Barbas France Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
• Clara Inés Sánchez Colombia Universidad Externado de Colombia
• Edna Rozo Colombia Universidad Externado de Colombia
• Elías Mujica Peru Heritage and Development Consultant
• Angélica Camargo Colombia Universidad Externado de Colombia
• Carmen Maria Ramos Argentina UNESCO Chair
• Daniel Calderón Colombia Universidad Externado de Colombia
• Dimitri IoannidesSweden Mid Sweden University
• Dominique Vanneste Belgium KU Leuven
• Francesca CominelliFrance Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
• Juan Fernando Sansón Colombia Universidad Externado de Colombia
• Laura Fuentes Moraleda SpainUniversidad Rey Juan Carlos
• Lluís Mundet  SpainUniversity of Girona
• María García Hernández SpainComplutense University of Madrid
• Nancy R. Rueda-Esteban Colombia Universidad Externado de Colombia
• Noel B. Salazar Belgium KU Leuven
• Sébastien Jacquot France Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
• Sidnei RaimundoBrazilUniversity of São Paulo
• Thiago Allis BrazilUniversity of São Paulo
• Aaron Espinosa  Colombia Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar