Today, 4 July, the Scientific Council of the Talayotic Menorca Agency was established at a meeting held this morning at the IME (Institut Menorquí d'Estudis-Menorcan Study Institute), attended by the chair of the agency and conseller of Cultural Affairs, Miquel Àngel Maria, the island director of Culture, Raquel Marquès, as vice-chair, and the acting director of the agency, Simón Gornés, head of the Heritage Service of the CIM (Consell Insular de Menorca-Menorca Island Council).
This Scientific Council, made up of institutions and individuals of established standing, will have the task of scheduling and supervising the agency's activities in the field of study, research, education and scientific outreach. It will also be involved in drawing up reports for UNESCO, and will offer advice on matters within its sphere of responsibility. Aside from those members appointed on the basis of the position they hold, the inaugural meeting was also attended by other individuals and organisations connected with Talayotic heritage.
Another of the cornerstones of the TM Agency's organisational structure will be established on 7 July: the Social Council. The inaugural meeting will be held behind closed doors in the Plenary Chamber of the CIM, attended by representatives of the island's different political parties, business and cultural organisations. This council will be called on to facilitate integration and participation by all the island's public authorities and the leading public, private and social organisations in the sphere of historical and cultural heritage management. Participation by society and citizens will play a central role in this function. Each of these councils will provide two representatives to sit on the Governing Council of the TM Agency, as the highest decision-making body, which will begin operations after the meetings of the Scientific and Social Councils.
Agency calendar
The TM Agency is
responsible for managing, conserving and publicising the assets that make up the Talayotic Menorca nomination, to ensure they are passed on to the island's present and future generations. The CIM set up the Talayotic Menorca Agency on the recommendations of the 2017 report by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites).
This new body coordinates the effective implementation of the Talayotic Menorca Management Plan, while also drawing up and submitting proposals to the different CIM bodies, helping to manage, conserve and publicise the values of the archaeological monuments and associated landscape, and fostering participation and social cooperation focused on conserving our prehistoric heritage. The agency's other aims also include driving the sustainable development of archaeological and landscape heritage and promoting scientific research, while furthermore encouraging public and private investment.
On 19 July 2021 the Plenary of the CIM approved the initial draft bylaws of the agency. The draft underwent a 30-day public consultation period, during which arguments could be submitted. The different bodies involved were likewise consulted: public authorities, bodies connected with historical heritage and environmental conservation, among others. Following review and resolution of the arguments, the definitive bylaws were approved on 20 December.
We enclose the list of members of the Scientific and Social Council.