BIP | Bridging Knowledge and Understanding Through Cultural Heritage

The Porto Faculty of Law, Universidade Católica Portuguesa is organising the Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme “Bridging Knowledge and Understanding Through Cultural Heritage”, coordinated by Professor José Alberto de Azeredo Lopes and Professor Maria Isabel Tavares, in partnership with Five European higher education institutions.

Hosted in the historic city of Porto, the programme explores cultural heritage as a bridge between peoples, disciplines and generations. Combining a virtual preparatory component with an intensive on-site week, it addresses the political, legal, economic and social dimensions of cultural heritage in contemporary global affairs.

At a time when multilateralism faces increasing pressure, the programme approaches cultural heritage as both vulnerable and powerful: vulnerable to conflict, politicisation and commodification, yet powerful as a vehicle for dialogue, sustainable development and human rights protection.

Through interdisciplinary lectures, expert seminars, structured discussions and immersive site visits, participants will critically engage with heritage as a living, contested and transformative force. The programme promotes reflection on cultural heritage protection, human rights-based approaches, colonial legacies, restitution, cultural rights, sustainable development and the economic impact of heritage.

The programme is taught in English and awards 3 ECTS, based on 75 hours of work: 21 hours of classes, 7 hours of visits and 47 hours of autonomous work.

Learn more about this Blended Intensive Programme

Detailed Programme

Programme Poster