On 13 June 2025, the LRE Foundation hosted the Opening Conference of the Preserving the Past, Securing the Future project in Berlin. The programme brought together professionals working in heritage tourism, education, and museum management to share strategies on sustainability and the long-term relevance of memory sites.
The day began with registration and coffee, including an informal icebreaker to help participants connect. Annabelle Türkis moderated the event and introduced the day’s goals and structure. Luigi Cabrini, Chair of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), delivered the keynote speech, highlighting key sustainability challenges and opportunities for tourism destinations.
This was followed by a panel discussion titled Shaping Sustainable Destinations: Strategies for Managing & Marketing with Purpose. The panel addressed how destination managers and institutions can apply sustainability standards in practice, focusing on positive environmental and societal impact, visitor management, and strong partnerships. Speakers included:
- Franziska Lienert, Project Lead Sustainable Berlin (visitBerlin)
- Menekse Wenzler, Deputy Director, Foundation German Museum of Technology Berlin and Board Member, German Museum Association
- Luigi Cabrini, Chair, GSTC
- Matthias Beyer, Managing Director, Mascontour
After a coffee break, the focus shifted to case studies. Nathalie Worthington (Juno Beach Centre, France) presented the ambitious and inspiring strategy that the Juno Beach Centre has implemented in the last years to reduce its carbon footprint. In a second case study, Beatrice Verri from the Nuto Revelli Foundation presented the development of Paraloup, a small site in Italy connected to partisan history, into an active cultural and educational space.
A second panel discussion followed the lunch break, exploring the role of interpretation, education, and emotional engagement in encouraging more responsible tourism practices:
- Ludivine Destrée, Senior Marketing Manager, European Travel Commission
- Matthew Menneke, Founder and Guide, On the Front Tours
- Simon Reuter, Senior Research Partnership Manager, Outdooractive
To close the formal programme, Emme Johnson (LRE Foundation) introduced upcoming training opportunities within the Preserving the Past, Securing the Future project, aimed at professionals working in Second World War remembrance, heritage and tourism.
The event concluded with a walking tour of the Berlin Wall, organised by On the Front Tours, offering participants an opportunity to explore Berlin’s layered history firsthand.