Regional Hubs and the Ensemble Model: a New Framework for Inclusive and Collaborative Practice in Heritage Conservation in Latin America

Heritage conservation in Latin America has experienced substantial transformation over the past few years, driven by the growing recognition of the region’s diverse and complex cultural heritage landscape and the emergence of academic, institutional, and community-led initiatives in the field. Conversely, persistent structural disparities remain, including uneven access to specialized training, research infrastructure, and funding, as well as a lack of professional networks across countries and institutions. Such imbalances risk perpetuating entrenched asymmetries within the global conservation realm. In response to this scenario, the local organizing committee of the 30th Biennial Congress, IIC Lima 2024, brought together conservators and academics from across the region to establish a network of hubs grounded in a participatory ensemble model. In this paper, we outline the conceptual foundations of the model and the methodology used to assemble 13 semi-autonomous hubs across six Latin American countries, combining synchronized hybrid participation with locally tailored programs. We analyze activities implemented, participant profiles, and perceived impacts on training, networking, and institutional strengthening. Results show that the hubs served as dynamic platforms for collaboration, capacity building, and the articulation of region-specific conservation agendas, with concrete outcomes in progress, while also revealing structural limitations related to funding, infrastructure, and coordination. Finally, we discuss the replicability of the ensemble model in other regions and its alignment with current decolonizing and sustainability agendas in conservation. Regional hubs can operate as long-term infrastructures for collective learning, territorial cohesion, and more equitable participation in global conservation endeavors.