National Policy of Cultural Heritage Sector of Georgia Tbilisi 2014 Translation: Michael Nishnianidze Layout design: Tamaz Chkhaidze Cover image: Alazani Valley, Beso Gulashvili’s photo © Development and publication of the Policy Paper has been funded by EU This publication has been funded by EU. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of ICOMOS Georgia and not necessarily represents the official position of EU. © ICOMOS GEORGIA, 2014 16b Bethlemi ascent, 0105, Tbilisi www.icomos.org.ge
[email protected] Tel: +995 322 984527 ISBN: 978‐9941‐0‐7252‐9 The present paper has been developed within the frame of the project Regional Co‐operation for Cultural Heritage Development funded by EU Eastern Partnership Culture Programme. The paper is presenting the analysis of objectives of Georgia’s National Policy on Heritage and spelling out the challenges. It also touches upon the issues faced by the Georgian public, government, public services and other heritage interest groups as well as the opportunities in heritage protection, giving general recommendations on strategic objectives. The research is based on an assumption that the Georgian people’s and government’s movement towards European integration is an irreversible process. The western values system is organically intrinsic for Georgia and the country is ready for “enhancing the role of culture as a force for reform, promotion of tolerance and social cohesion1.” While working on the paper the authors have collected and analyzed thematic studies and reports of local governmental bodies and non‐governmental sector; UN, EU, Council of Europe and other international organizations’ sectoral papers and baseline report on cultural policy in Georgia; outcomes of the projects within the frame of EU Eastern Partnership Culture Programme.