At a time of continued financial uncertainty and constraint and with economic and social pressures featuring large on agendas, the heritage and culture sector will come together this week for an event in Cardiff to discuss how they can work together better and share innovation.

With an emphasis on finding pragmatic solutions to deliver aspirations in challenging times, Heritage Exchange 2014 will bring together heritage, culture and community professionals to exchange ideas, to challenge, provoke and inspire.  Led by Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in partnership with Institute of Welsh Affairs (IWA), attendees will be invited to discuss how to harness the power of the arts, culture and heritage sectors to work together better and ultimately contribute to quality of life in communities in Wales.

Speakers include:

• Huw Brodie, Director of Culture and Sport, Welsh Government
• Dr Manon Antoniazzi, Chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund Committee for Wales
• Karen Dusgate, Chief Executive Merthyr Housing Association
• Katie Jo Luxton, Director of RSPB Cymru
• John McGrath, Artistic Director National Theatre Wales
• Lee Waters, Director of the Institute of Welsh Affairs

The event, hosting some 200 participants and to be held at the Temple of Peace on Wednesday 7 May was fully booked within 48 hours.

Commenting on this, Dr Manon Antoniazzi, Chair of HLF Committee for Wales said: “Wales has a clearly defined sense of heritage, culture and identity.  As such, we are a highly creative national community, but we have enormous challenges in tackling some of Europe’s most intractable economic and social issues. Heritage Exchange will tap into the energy of our most talented and creative people and provide a spark for more people to exchange ideas and work together. With well over 200 people wanting to attend, we know that this is just the right time for the Heritage Lottery Fund Wales to provide this platform for debate."

Emerging themes for discussion include cross-sector collaboration; measuring and evidencing impact; and community engagement. Those who were not quick enough to sign-up can access a synopsis of the event by registering with IWA by emailing Jessica@iwa.org.uk.

Lee Waters, Director of IWA, adds: "The IWA exists to bring together people from different perspectives to stimulate discussion and allow ideas to be forged and shared. The event with Heritage Lottery Fund compliments the IWA's core mission and provides the cultural and heritage sector with a chance to debate challenges and opportunities happening right now."

The event is part of a UK-wide programme of engagement in which the Heritage Lottery Fund – with 20 years of investment learning behind it - is championing the resilience and sustainability of heritage, helping to develop new practice, to survive and thrive and to learn from each other.

Notes to editors

All enquiries to Jessica Davies-Timmins, Events Manager at Institute of Welsh Affairs Tel: 029 2048 4387.