In a global context marked by conflicts, polarisations and crises, supporting culture means firmly believing in the ability of societies to imagine alternative futures. This is why we at Un Ponte Per have always flanked humanitarian and emergency interventions in the countries where we operate with the protection of local cultural heritage, developing an integrated approach that links peace, human rights, social justice and culture as an essential dimension of human development.

Within this framework, culture is not conceived as an ancillary or purely symbolic domain, but as a social and political infrastructure.

For us, heritage protection, cultural production and the right to self-representation are fundamental tools of community resistance, reconstruction of the social fabric and conflict prevention.

In doing so, we are also attempting to deconstruct Western hegemonic narratives and to return power and expertise to the local communities we have been walking alongside for years.

We have been doing this for decades in Iraq, working on the reconstruction and restoration of the immense book heritage of the National Library in Baghdad, which was destroyed during the war, with the programme 'Knowledge that Resists'. Or by supporting lə young activists in projects to protect and build sustainable tourism routes around places of fundamental importance, such as the Mesopotamian Marshes or the archaeological site of Ur, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Today, we continue to do so in Jordan, through the promotion of cultural, responsible and sustainable tourism in decentralised areas that are rich in history and community heritage.

This is the case with the archaeological area of Jerash, a site of enormous cultural importance but which pays the price for its decentralised geographical location.

Today, the local community benefits only marginally from the positive impact that sustainable and responsible tourism could have in Jerash. In fact, tourists visit the site briefly, then move on to other much better known destinations in the country, without getting to know or stay in the urban area and building very limited interactions with its rich and vibrant local community.

This is why, thanks to the valuable support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and together with ARCS, the project leader, we designed and launched 'Sustainable Jerash', a two-year intervention that aims to protect and enhance the city's cultural heritage, to promote inclusive and sustainable local development, creating economic opportunities for the community.

In particular, we will work on the restoration of the Eastern Roman Baths, located in the modern city of Jerash, to enhance them as a connecting point between the urban and archaeological areas.

In doing so, the thermal baths will not only be studied for the first time, but will finally be opened to the public and made accessible, thus encouraging a circular economy and enhancing their heritage.

To do this, we will work together with the Municipality of Jerash, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Department of Antiquities, which will take over the direct management of the site upon completion. But also with organisations such as Monumenta Orientalia and the University of Roma Tre, with whom we will also restore the precious mosaic inside.

For us, as always, the aim is also to make the entire local tourist area more accessible, through the involvement of people with disabilities and local organisations we have been working with for years.

Over the next few months we will be spending time with the Jerash community - citizens, traders, local craftsmen - to gather their impressions of the work we are doing. Follow us for new updates.