HAEMUS | Center for scientific research and promotion of culture

Key features of the session will include live VR demonstrations and showcasing examples from various European archaeological sites. Participants will have the chance to immerse themselves in VR experience and behold some of the newest examples of AR used in open spaces. These innovative tools enable users to virtually explore reconstructed archeological sites, traverse historical landscapes, and examine artifacts in their original context—bringing archaeology to life in ways traditional methods cannot.

Additionally, the session will address practical and ethical considerations in using immersive technologies in archaeology, such as ensuring historical accuracy, maintaining authenticity and their impact on public interpretation. Discussions will explore how AR and VR can deepen connections with cultural heritage, enhance cultural tourism and provide new approaches to preserving both tangible and intangible heritage.

This interactive session, featuring live VR experiences, will serve as an inspiring platform for archaeologists, IT and multimedia designers, technologists, and cultural heritage professionals to collaborate, exchange ideas, and envision the future of archaeology through immersive technologies.

NGOs focused on education about the past and community engagement face numerous challenges. These organizations are often part-time endeavors run by full-time academics balancing their professional and NGO activities, leading to overwork and reduced productivity. This session will address these issues by discussing strategies aimed at diversifying funding sources, which could ideally lead to full-time employment within NGOs. Another crucial element is capacity building.
Entrepreneurial ideas often start with an individual, but how do you expand your team?
The session will explore ways to attract new members, particularly from different fields
thus fostering multidisciplinarity. Additionally, the session will address differences in
funding and capacity building between NGOs operating within EU and non-EU countries.
Relationships between NGOs and academic institutions will also be discussed, and the
potential for their support. Finally, the session will touch upon sharing personal examples
of fostering community engagement and contributing to sustainable development goals
through NGO activities.

We encourage everyone with entrepreneurial ideas and insights gained from their experience to contribute. The key outcomes of this session are to foster networking opportunities for both developing and established NGOs, enhance their visibility in the field, and produce practical solutions and strategic documents from our discussions. These include guidelines for aspiring NGOs, facilitating
connections for collaborative multinational projects, creating strategies for reaching out
to faculties to recruit volunteers and advocating for formal recognition of NGOs as
important players within the archaeological community.