Bridging Ages: Strategic Plan 2023-2025

 

Background

Kalmar county museum, Sweden developed the Time Travel method in the mid-1980s. In September 1999, Kalmar County Museum organized the first Time Travel event in another country, Finland. Followed by USA and the Åland Islands shortly thereafter.

 

In 2004, Bridging Ages’ first conference/ symposium took place in Vimmerby, Sweden. In 2007, in Tukums, Latvia, it was decided Bridging Ages would transform into a formal organisation, with constitution, board, office etc. Bridging Ages remains a non-governmental organisation in 2020 with the head office at Kalmar Läns Museum. It continues to promote the Time Travel method in more than 20 countries with annual Bridging Ages internationalconferences taking place in, and hosted by, a different country each year.

 

More information: Visit website: www.bridgingages.com

 

Bridging Ages remains an international organization focusing on the use of local history and the application of this knowledge to benefit the local community today. Bridging Ages practices the Time Travel method, supporting the strategic sustainable 2030 goals of the United Nations. This is detailed in the specific countries’ strategic objectives and goals.

 

The Time Travel Method is an educational method:

 

  • using local heritage in a learning process
  • creating reflection on contemporary issues
  • providing tools for community building

 

It is a holistic approach in its implementation, based on needs, processes, event and impact. These differ from country to country, based on development, need, social condition and funding opportunities.

 

Principles:

The 5 principles underpinning the method:

  • Focus on local sites and stories
  • Use several perspectives with attention to the bottom-up viewpoint
  • Employ key questions to connect today with the past
  • Facilitate interaction with the community, schools, universities and other parties
  • Reflective dialogue is vital to every Time Travel

 

Goal

The goal is to promote learning, social cohesion and contribute to community building. This is accomplished by consolidating and institutionalising the method in a uniform way and

is done internationally. Target groups are local communities, schools and tourists.

 

Objective

The strategic objective of Bridging Ages is to implement the Time Travel method in line with the definition: Create reflection on contemporary issues by using the local heritage. This is undertaken in a creative learning process. In doing so, many processes are launched to support community-building programmes.

 

As per constitution adopted on 24th November 2020 , the objectives to achieve are:

  1. To promote the Time Travel method as an educational tool for education, community building and social cohesion.
  2. To work with established structures in the Bridging Ages organisation by way of mentorship, capacity building and study material.
  3. Consolidate and develop the work of the Organisation by networking
  4. Be representative on other fora with similar aims and objectives.
  5. Keep updated in the field of Applied Heritage and partner with similar organisations in heritage, education and community development.
  6. To as and when resources and convenience allow to produce publications and hold conferences to further the work of the Organisation.

 

Focus the next three years, 2023-2025

 

International level:

  1. Emphasis on networking, cooperation, partnership, (social) inspiration, and mentorship

between the Bridging Ages countries.

  1. Develop methodological material for use in the countries.
  2. Remain active in communication, social media, newsletters, website etc.
  3. Engage the board and, if possible other members, in working groups to delegate

responsibilities.

  1. Be sensitive to the contemporary issues in society, trends in heritage and to the needs

and opportunities of the Bridging Ages countries.

  1. If possible, with countries working together, organize trainings on the Time Travel

method, on various levels, including academic.

  1. Develop the administrative and practical work of the board and the secretariat.
  2. Fundraising

 

Responsible

The Bridging Ages board is responsible for the strategic plan. The board establishes working

groups to assist in the implementation. The secretariat serves the board with practical

support and assigned duties.

Each country has a network/ organization whose responsibility is to implement the strategic

plan within their country. Structure, conditions and activities are very different between the

countries, but the main goal remains the same.

 

Country level:

  1. Implement and promote the Time Travel method locally, regionally and nationally.
  2. Consolidate the Time Travel method and the regional/ national Bridging Ages

organization to build a stronger network within the country/ region.

Relate to the international network?

  1. Organize capacity building and trainings on the Time Travel method.
  2. Partner with schools, museums, universities and NGOs.
  3. Establish viable fundraising methods.
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Bridging Ages Strategic Plan 2020-2022 Final 549 kB pdf