Sustainability
LIVE and the Well-being of Future Generations
The Llŷn Iveragh Ecomuseum (LIVE) collaboration seeks to establish an ecomuseum (a museum without walls) in two locations, one in Pen Llŷn in the north west Wales and the other in County Kerry, Ireland. The Ecomuseum movement is European in origin and there are more than 300 worldwide. Each aims to support a community to manage its own heritage, helping it to conserve its resources and traditions whilst thriving economically. Tourists and community members alike will be encouraged to understand the impact of leisure and travel and that Pen Llŷn and Iveragh are homes as well as destinations.
LIVE and the ONE sustainable development principle – we are working together to ensure that we address the needs of our people and communities in a way that will allow our children and grandchildren to live well too.
Rural de-population and the lack of quality work is a challenge in the north west of Wales and western Ireland. Establishing an ecomuseum in both locations to celebrate natural and cultural heritage will extend the tourism season, improve the livelihoods of today’s citizens and provide opportunities for the future.
LIVE addresses the FOUR pillars of sustainability
Economy
We will be working together to find sustainable ways of extending the visitor season beyond the traditional ‘peak’ weeks, with targeted seasonal offers aimed at the ‘slow’ tourist. This includes promoting local produce, local craftmanship and local cultural activities benefiting locals and visitors alike.
Environment
The landscape is a major asset in both locations. We will be telling the story of our good land management practices. We will also be promoting sustainable transport options to reduce car use and provide location specific information on the ecology to enhance local and visitor understanding of the importance of protecting our environment.
Social
Our slow tourism approach aims to engage visitors offering routine-weary people a refreshing contrast to their everyday life – a chance to engage with the landscape, with communities, with culture - to ‘connect’ - in contrast to extractive tourism, where people parachute in and out to ‘anyplace, anywhere’ without much regard for a sense of place. We want to foster community cohesion and provide a welcoming environment.
Cultural
The Welsh and Irish languages are strong in both areas. Providing work, using language and heritage as USPs to attract discerning visitors will have a positive impact increasing awareness that human diversity and biodiversity are equally important.
LIVE’s FIVE ways of working
Long Term
The aim is to improve the economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being of two marginal areas in Wales and Ireland using the ecomuseum concept.
Prevention
In so doing we will reduce outward migration by increasing year-round employment opportunities to retain young people and attract those who have moved away. We will reduce congestion on narrow roads by promoting sustainable transport and reverse cultural decline by promoting language and heritage as valuable assets.
Collaboration
This is a collaboration between two countries, two Universities, two local authorities, the National Trust and an Irish Community Group, 13 communities, more than seven heritage sites, businesses, individuals and the global ecomuseum network.
Integration
LIVE integrates well into the local development plans of the partner local authorities and contribute towards national well-being goals and UN SDGs.
Involvement
LIVE is a co-developed initiative between academic institutions, community representatives and heritage sites on both sides of the Irish Sea. We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all its aspect in our work.
LIVE and the Welsh Government’s SEVEN well-being goals
A Prosperous
Wales /Ireland
Our aim is to encourage skilled, decent year-round work thus contributing to an innovative, productive society which respects its environment and landscape. Proposed initiatives such as sustainable accommodation and transport will promote a low carbon economy.
A Resilient
Wales / Ireland
The environment underpins LIVE’s vision and work. Identifying necessary adaptation to climate change and other challenges are core activities.
A Healthier
Wales / Ireland
Health is linked to prosperity and well-being and is enhanced by access to the great outdoors. As well as providing opportunities for visitors to be healthier links to ‘social prescribing’ initiatives are being pursued in partnership with Public Health Wales and local General Practitioners.
A More Equal
Wales / Ireland
Social, economic, environmental and cultural equity are at the heart of this project, with accessibility to underrepresented groups also a feature of our work.
A Wales / Ireland
of Cohesive Communities
Strong communities are a feature of the Pen Llŷn and the Iveragh Peninsula, but they are being eroded by outward migration. We collaborate to provide options to mitigate against this trend.
A Wales / Ireland
of Vibrant Culture & Thriving Language
The Welsh and Irish languages and culture are central to LIVE; the USP driving our work. We aim to contribute to increasing the visibility and use of languages other than English in promotional material demonstrating how language and culture can be inclusive and embracing and a key ingredient in enhancing the visitor experience.
A Globally Responsible
Wales / Ireland
LIVE is an international project, part of a global network of ecomuseums. The good practice principles which emerge are being disseminated widely within Wales, the other countries of the UK, Ireland and beyond.
LIVE And the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
In addition to the above LIVE is contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are designed to achieve a better and more sustainable future for everyone. They address global challenges, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change. peace and justice. The 17 Goals are all interconnected and map onto the Welsh Future Generations Goals.
The United Nations declared 2020 the start of The Decade of Action, which calls for accelerating sustainable solutions to all the world’s biggest challenges.
LIVE and COP 26 & 27
During COP 26 the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism was launched. LIVE fully supports this and is working with partners to understand the impact of leisure and travel on Climate Change.
During COP 27 in Egypt UNWTO brought leading sector stakeholders together to share practical insights into accelerating the shift to greater sustainability and reaching Net-Zero. The main message emerging from the conference is the whole of sector commitment to support the transformation towards more low-carbon, sustainable and resilient tourism model.
