Action for a Changing Society
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www.coe.int/faroconvention ACTION FOR A CHANGING SOCIETY FRAMEWORK CONVENTION TECHNICAL Co-oPERATION AND ON THE VALUE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE CONSULTANCY PROGRAMME RELATED TO THE INTEGRATED CONSERVATION FOR SOCIETY OF THE CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAMME DE COOPÉRATION ET D’ASSISTANCE TECHNIQUES RELATIVES À LA CONSERVATION INTÉGRÉE DU PATRIMOINE CULTUREL ET NATUREL LA CONVENTION-CADRE SUR LA VALEUR DU PATRIMOINE CULTUREL POUR LA SOCIÉTÉ Council of Europe Directorate of Democratic Governance, DG II Managing Diversity Division http://www.coe.int/regional PREMS39213 European societies are provides an original contribution to the issues transforming under the related to “living together”, quality of life and the combined effects of the living environments where citizens wish to prosper. economic crisis, energy The framework convention is part of this acquis transition, demographic and should now be made known and actively or migration factors and promoted. It is up to member states, policy makers, a reduction in resources. This situation calls for new public authorities and representatives of civil development models. society to engage resolutely in the ratification and Europe needs to innovate in order to create the implementation of the framework convention. framework for a new society driven by greater The Council of Europe would like to support this democracy, strengthened citizen participation action with a series of information and public and better governance based on more open, awareness-raising actions. This brochure is a reactive and transparent institutions. first working tool which I hope will be widely In this context, the Council of Europe’s Framework disseminated. Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for I hope the reader will enjoy discovering this Society is innovative in several ways. In particular, important convention, which has the potential to it reinforces the concept of the “common heritage really change the way we live, and create a more of Europe” by linking this to human rights and the welcoming, diverse and sustainable society. fundamental freedoms for which the Council of Europe remains one of the historic guardians. Through its conventions and the expertise acquired Thorbjørn Jagland from practical field action, the Council of Europe Secretary General of the Council of Europe The Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural he Faro Convention is first and past and shaped by everyday life, it is Heritage for Society (the Faro Convention) was drafted Tforemost a convention about the expression of the values, beliefs, between 2003 and 2005 by a select committee of experts. society, for society. It is one of the knowledge and traditions derived ways that the Council of Europe can from the experience gained through It was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the help member states to address the progress and past conflicts that have Council of Europe on 13 October 2005 and opened for societal challenges they are facing, formed towns and territories from signature to member states in Faro, Portugal, individually or collectively. The the continuous interaction between on 27 October of the same year. originality of the Faro Convention is people, communities and places. The that it asks the question: “why and for common heritage of Europe provides The Faro Convention entered into force on 1 June 2011. whose benefit should we enhance coherence to European societies. To date, 14 member states have ratified the convention: cultural heritage?” It thus complements It is the foundation of identity on the previous Council of Europe the basis of which Europe today Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia, conventions (Granada and Valletta), is being built. It is a fundamental Hungary, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Republic of Moldova, which provide answers to the question reference, a factor of stability and Montenegro, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia and “the of how to preserve cultural heritage. continuity in an ever-changing former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. In addition, world that is facing, in particular: he Faro Convention outlines seven states have signed the convention: Albania, Ta framework for considering • a crisis relating to political Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, San Marino, the Slovak Republic the role of citizens in the definition, representation, where heritage can and Ukraine. The signing process is under way in a decision-making and management provide some of the answers by number of other member states of the Council of Europe. processes related to the cultural fostering citizen participation; environment in which communities • a crisis relating to economic models, operate and evolve. Citizen where heritage can provide new participation has become an ethical resources whose potential is rooted obligation and a political necessity. in continuity and sustainability; It revitalises society, strengthens democracy and creates governance • a cultural or identity crisis, where that can renew the conditions for heritage has a role as a factor of “living together”, encouraging well- dialogue and mutual understanding, being and a better quality of life. a source of respect and cohesion. he Faro Convention proposes Theritage as a resource that can be mobilised for and by citizens as part of public action. Inherited from the hree main themes allow for a do not exclude others that stakeholders Managing cultural diversity Improving the living environment Developing democratic participation for cohesive societies and quality of life political interpretation of the may spontaneously come up with when 1 2 3• Implement “shared responsibility” TFaro Convention and connect and tapping into the abundance of ideas to be • Determine the public interest in • Encourage a high quality architectural involving citizens and civil society highlight the priorities of the Council found in the Faro Convention in order to heritage in order to stimulate the and urban design enriched by the in mechanisms integrated with of Europe. These three themes provide respond to their specific needs. The Council right investment for preserving and cultural diversity of the territories and public action in order to identify their traditions (Articles 5e and 8d). principles or objectives through which of Europe will focus on these six objectives enhancing the social and economic values, define priorities and manage value of the different kinds of heritage-led projects (Articles 5c, the member states and stakeholders who from 2013 onwards in order to promote • Bring together the objectives related heritage (Articles 5a, 5b and 10a). 5d, 11d, 11e, 12a and 12c). are determined to implement the Faro the convention, support activities in the to economic efficiency, social cohesion and ecological balance within heritage- Convention can generate their actions. member states and measure its impact. • Promote conciliation and reconciliation • Encourage a sense of responsibility in order to bring together within a led strategies that allow for the in all social stakeholders so that they The six priority objectives proposed below community the stakeholders who combined action of public authorities, act on the basis of feeling they belong are defending divergent interests, investors and civil society (Articles 5g, to a community which is enriched and to allow dialogue to become one 8a, 8b, 9a, 10b, 10c, 11a, 11b, and 11c). by its diversity (Articles 8c, 9b, 9d). of the main forces for sustainable development (Articles 5f, 7a, 7b and 7c). The Faro Convention provides a tangible contribution to the development and improving the quality of life in Europe. Under political objectives of the Council of Europe. these conditions, the member states of the Council of Europe These objectives aim at building a peaceful and democratic are invited to ratify the Framework Convention on the Value of society, and the consolidation of sustainable development Cultural Heritage for Society. processes which are necessary conditions for human Examples of initiatives inspired by the Faro Convention Heritage walk (photo Jelka Pirkovic) Local working group. The town of Ronse (photo ENAME) The town of Marseille (photo Hôtel du Nord) he Slovenian Network of NGOs for the interpretation of ollowing the decline of the textile industry in the 1950s, lected representatives from the 2nd, 7th, and 8th districts THeritage (SMID) is based on a new concept of networking, FRonse has become an economically depressed historic Eof Marseille and the Mayor of Vitrolles are endorsing the inspired by the principles of the Faro Convention. Each partner town with various social issues such as poverty, immigration principles stated in the Faro Framework Convention in order generates a local network of “heritage communities”. The and unemployment. In response to this situation, the local to give a European dimension to the local social initiatives. members of these communities are trained to be able to apply population and social organisations, citing the town’s rich Tenants’ associations, groups of enterprises, associations, artists’ for national and international tenders and to run their own and diverse history as a major resource to be used for reviving collectives, or ordinary citizens have initiated these “heritage- business around the interpretation of heritage. As a result, the town’s development, have managed to convince the led” projects which emphasise the environment and the the number of quality heritage projects is increasing and, city council to launch an usual