Sustainable Development (SD) in the Danube River Basin needs an Interdisciplinary approach. Researchers must be able to identify, analyse and take into account the legacies of the past and the long history of human interactions with the environment in this densely inhabited region. This introductory contribution to DIANET 2013 maps the 7 pillars of the EU strategy for the Danube onto the ‘magic triangle’ of SD. Finding solutions requires understanding the present situation through the study of socio-natural sites. Such sites form by interaction of humans and the river system. Practices result in material arrangements which are created and kept in working condition by human actions. Benign or wicked, short- or longstanding legacies can be distinguished, their fate determines the potential for sustainable futures.

This book presents the Proceedings of the 2014 edition of the DIAnet International School (DIS) planned in Gorizia (Italy) as training module of the Danube: Future project. The Role of Natural Heritage in the Danube Region, driven by an Interdisciplinary approach, is the aim of this School edition. 35 participants from 11 Countries and 17 Universities joined the 2014 DIS. The Welcome Ceremony was opened by the speeches of the four Rectors of the Danube: Future Core Partner Universities. During the School, training was provided through a mix of lectures, excursions and project group work. The DIAnet International School is part of the Capacity Building Module of Danube: Future - A sustainable future for the Danube river basin as a challenge for interdisciplinary humanities, a Flagship project of EUSDR PA7 - Knowledge Society.

The 2015 DIAnet International School (DIS) was the last of three editions and was held in Gorizia (Italy) in March 2015. The project cycle of the DIAnet schools on sustainable development in the Danube Region has finally concluded with this edition on the “Role of Cultural Heritage”, a thematic issue which has been addressed with an interdisciplinary approach. Ten countries of the Danube region were represented by 39 participants from 16 Universities. During the School, training was ensured through a blend of lectures, excursions and project group work. The Welcome Ceremony opened with the address by the Rector of the University of Trieste, followed by the Deputy-Mayor of Gorizia. These Proceedings include the presentations on “War, colonization and trade in the Danube Basin in the modern era: some sustainabilityrelated issues” by Prof. Marco Dogo, the School Director, and “The Role of Cultural Heritage in the Danube River Basin” by Prof. Verena Winiwarter, the Danube:Future Project Coordinator. Six project ideas were drafted by the School participants with the assistance of two facilitators from the University of Novi Sad, the leading partner. A final evaluation of the event by Prof. Manuela Montagnari, the School Deputy-Director, can be found at the end of this book as well as some final considerations concerning the results and achievements of the three-year project. The DIAnet International School is part of the Capacity Building Module of Danube:Future – A sustainable future for the Danube River Basin as a challenge for interdisciplinary humanities, a Flagship project of EUSDR PA7 – Knowledge Society.

2014 DIAnet International School is a Project linked to the Danube:Future framework. Danube:Future, as a new concept of a long-term Flagship project, is a strategic way for building capacities in the Danube Region. This preface will allow a better understanding of the DIAnet International Schools, training schools for young researchers at the beginning of their careers.