On November 20–21, 2025, we gathered in Paris and online for our first annual Forum: Ready, Steady, Transform! What a moment it was for our network to come together: 187 participants registered, two vibrant venues, and countless conversations that reminded us why we do this work. Over two days, we explored how digital cultural heritage can help shape more inclusive and sustainable societies, and how collaboration across sectors and disciplines can spark real transformation.

From the very beginning, our focus was clear: digital transformation is about people, not technology and it should be guided by values and supported by trans sectoral cooperation. As our president, Julia Katona, Head of Collection at the Hungarian University of Fine Arts, Budapest (Schola Graphidis Art Collection), reminded us in her opening speech, transformation “does not begin with technology alone, it starts with people, shared purpose, and the collective ambition to imagine new futures.”  That spirit guided every session, discussion, and encounter throughout the Forum.

Day 1: Inclusion, evolving definitions, and shifting cultural practices

We opened at the Rosa Parks Social and Cultural Center with a warm welcome. Seeing participants both in person and online, we felt the strength of our network: cultural institutions, creative professionals, researchers, policymakers, local actors, and passionate individuals all connected around shared questions. 

Throughout the first day, conversations flowed across plenary sessions, workshops, and dialogues. A major theme was the evolving meaning of inclusion – a concept that has changed significantly in recent years, a point made vivid through discussions led by Sophia Alexandersson (ShareMusic & Performing Arts, Sweden) and Stéphane Grosclaude (Réseau National Musique &. Handicap, France). In parallel, participants examined how the very notion of culture is being reinterpreted in a digital age, particularly through workshops on education, heritage, and emerging technologies. It became clear that inclusion and culture are no longer static concepts but living practices shaped by the interplay of society, technology, and creativity.

Ideas were flowing, partnerships took shape, and everyone left inspired to continue the conversations beyond the Forum.

Day 2: From ideas to action

Our second day began at the Philharmonie de Paris Media Library, where workshops, project fairs, and interactive sessions turned ideas into concrete actions. From exploring cultural data sharing and DE-BIASing digital collections to showcasing community-led storytelling projects, participants dove into both the opportunities and the responsibilities inherent in digital cultural heritage.

They were also introduced to a range of innovative projects and technologies showcased during the Forum: from the MuseIT Project’s VR Exhibition, to heritage protection technologies by ICONEM, innovation was at the heart of the morning.

For the afternoon we went back to the Rosa Parks Social & Cultural Center which allowed us to create an informal environment that facilitated debate and exchange. This space reflects our values and main objectives: facilitating the access to culture and democratising knowledge.

The afternoon also focused on the way forward in terms of policy actions. After the publication of the Culture Compass (the new Commission’s strategy for cultural policies) and the current discussions over the EU long-term budget, bringing together,it is crucial to discuss the role of culture, innovation and research in the European strategies both with policy makers and civil society representatives.

We published an overview of the Cultural Compass, which was also presented during the forum: access it here!

 

Key notions that resonated: fragmentation, structured dialogues, democratizing knowledge

Our President noted that three notions echoed repeatedly across sessions: fragmentation, structured dialogues, and democratizing knowledge.

Fragmentation appeared in many forms, funding landscapes, European-level cultural policies, and even data management practices. At the same time, structured dialogues emerged as essential tools, not only in policy and strategy development but also in the creation of digital tools and platforms. Finally, the Forum highlighted the growing potential of democratizing knowledge through open access, enriched datasets, and collaborative approaches, along with the ethical considerations that necessarily accompany these efforts.

These reflections intertwined with practical demonstrations on day 2 highlighting the diversity of usages of digital cultural heritage and its re-use for concrete actions. Again and again, the message was clear: technology only reaches its full potential when grounded in human-centered approaches, local contexts, and collaborative practices.

The power of network & trans-cooperation. And what comes next.

The Forum reminded us that transformation is collective. It is about learning from each other, building bridges, and finding shared purpose. Even when technical glitches challenged us on the first day, our community’s energy and enthusiasm never faded. Conversations sparked new ideas, reflections deepened, and connections flourished.

We are committed to keeping this momentum alive. In the coming weeks, we will share a recap document of key takeaways, session recordings, and resources to continue the conversations. We invite everyone to share feedback through our survey to help us make future gatherings even more inclusive, dynamic, and impactful.

Join Us!

We are also thrilled to announce the launch in January of a new membership campaign. Whether you are an individual, a cultural institution, a nonprofit, or a company, there is a place for you in our network. Together, we can continue exploring the intersection of people, culture, and digital technologies, and imagine futures where culture thrives sustainably, inclusively, and creatively.

Transformation starts with people. Together, we are ready, steady, and set to transform!

Join us and be part of the journey: https://michael-culture.eu/join-us/