The conference, organized by the University of Porto, marks the 55th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. The event is entirely interdisciplinary and explores the theme of heritage through the lens of art, architecture, history, museums, digital culture, tourism, sustainable development, and communities.
The conference takes place in the city of Porto, which itself is an example of the discussed themes: it is a coastal city, a historic maritime center, and the first protected wine region in Europe. Furthermore, the city center is recognized as a World Heritage site and a National Monument of Portugal.