Abstract

This article presents an instrument for screening programmes for heritage education that focus on multiperspectivity. It contributes to the reported need of a sustainable cooperation between formal education and institutions of heritage education. In societies with increasing diversity, the instrument appeals to multiperspectivity by bringing up perspectives of different ethnic-cultural groups and those of socially less visible groups. The Heritage Education Multiperspectivity Matrix (HEM Matrix v1.0) is based first of all on the key objectives of history education, in particular historical thinking, and secondly on “Culture in the Mirror” (Cultuur in de Spiegel), an application of Barend van Heusden’s cultural theory to the Flemish context. Starting from solid theory, a blueprint of the matrix was established and critically altered by experts. Further, it was tested for screening existing heritage education programmes. In a next phase, the matrix will be validated as a design instrument, accounting for the epithet of the presented version of the matrix: v1.0. To conclude, this article discusses the opportunities and limitations of the instrument under scrutiny.