Culture can be regarded as a fundamental issue, even a precondition to be met on the path towards Sustainable Development. However, the theoretical and conceptual understanding of culture within the general frames of sustainable development remains vague and consequently, the role of culture is poorly operationalized in environmental and social policies. The goal of the COST Action "Investigating Cultural Sustainability" is to increase understanding of and determine the role of culture in sustainable development based on multidisciplinary principles and approaches. The Action is co-ordinated by the University of Jyväskylä, Finland and supported by COST, which is an intergovernmental framework for European Cooperation in Science and Technology. Further information: www.culturalsustainability.eu

The aim of the COST Action IS1007 Symposium is to give an overview of the policy context where culture meets sustainable development, and of the strategies and processes which guide culturally sustainable development at local, regional, national and transnational levels. Moreover, during the Symposium the participants will identify and establish “thematic clusters” on various topics of cultural sustainability, which will serve as forums for future collaborative work.

Organized by the Centre for Social Studies (CES) at the University of Coimbra.