DIVER aims to foster the role of cultural heritage as a resource for equity and interdependence practices as crucial elements for social sustainability. The research takes the notion of “diversity of cultural environments”, as stated Meld. St. 16 (2019-2020), and it explores its value to signify the heritage of migration in Norway.

Understood as a one-year pilot study, DIVER’s final goal is to explore how migrants’ memories can be transformed as new cultural heritage assets for Norwegian citizens with an immigration background. By doing this, DIVER will expand the notion of “diversity of cultural environments” to strengthen multiculturality in Norway.

Norway’s ambition is to create a safe country where everyone is included. Questions about social belonging and identity are essential in making this inclusive society, and cultural heritage has a relevant role in this process. All this aligns with Norwegian values of democracy and equity, as well as those of strengthening the voluntary sector and community participation. And yet, there is evidence showing that there is still a lack of diversity in cultural environments regarding the memories of Norwegians with an immigrant background.

DIVER work will be based on a participation process (in the form of focus group discussions and generative conversations), which will acknowledge the experience and challenges of the cultural heritage of migration in Norway. It will provide a pilot list of values on the heritage of migration that could be transformed into categories to work on policy documents and local heritage management.

Project researcher: Laia Colomer.