EDITORIAL
It was 2012 , ten years ago today , when we launched a ground-breaking and certainly ambitious project : the creation of the European Observatory on Memories . The public presentation was in 2014 , but in the background and with the support of the programme Europe for Citizens , we had started to sign the first collaboration agreements with different European members with a view to launching a programme and various projects in the framework of a new horizontal work network on memory policies on an international scale . Memory work in a transnational dimension and in a permanent exchange of experiences was a new method ; not unprecedented , but essential after the first decade of the 21 st century .
I still remember the first roadmap proposal , folder in hand , in a couple of offices in Brussels with the then director of the Bobigny Station Memorial , Anne Bourgon , defending that the network action of multiple European memories was a good way to generate a multiplier effect and a platform for learning and permanent growth . The other axis we defended was citizens ’ activity in memorial heritage processes or in inclusive proposals in the projects . European sponsorship was not only necessary for funding , but also for the political and structural framework of action , supporting the European Commission ’ s synergy to promote memorial values within citizens ’ programmes . The Observatory ’ s proposal was well received and it was a great success to be able to coordinate it from the Solidarity Foundation of the University of Barcelona . The director of the foundation , Xavier López , immediately approved the creation of a memories work area in the framework of broader and more established cooperation and human rights projects such as those conducted by the university foundation . With the Solidarity Foundation we have been able to grow with autonomy and professionalism , and it has created a work synergy that straddles the academic world , organisations and civil society . We have also been able to develop the work of memories in plural , extensively , from small local projects to more ambitious international proposals . The activation of the concept “ Glocal ” was achieved partly thanks to the concept of plurality and multiplicity . The objectives , structure and design of the programmes have grown over time and have humbly consolidated our platform . The idea was also to establish relations with other networks , such as ICMEMO , with which we have worked intensely and , in addition , we have shared the golden rules ( in 2012 we began writing a memorandum of “ best practice advice ” for the policies , actions and programmes of memory , considering the multiple failures , asymmetries , interference and political manipulation of museums , institutions and professionals that had occurred -or were occurring- in different parts of Europe -and not only- ). Actually , and unfortunately , these golden rules are more necessary and present than ever in societies which , paradoxically , are continuously exposed to conflicts and crises .
Ten years have passed and we have survived and grown in size , and we like to think in content too . I want to publicly congratulate the whole team which , from the start , has collaborated on a permanent or temporary basis with EUROM . Vocation , effort and professional conviction are essential qualities when
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