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Resolution 1981 (2014) Final version
Europe’s endangered heritage
1. The Parliamentary Assembly recalls
that culture and heritage play a fundamental role in upholding democratic
values and building citizenship: they embed cultural identity, deepen
understanding and respect for others, and nurture respect for cultural
diversity.
2. Citizen participation and non-governmental initiatives are
crucial drivers for protecting endangered heritage. Awareness raising
and education about the value of cultural heritage for society are
essential to get citizens involved in projects for its conservation
as well as its continuous use as a “living heritage”. The Assembly
therefore stresses the need to build a stronger link between education
and heritage, with a view to engaging people, especially young people,
with their history and culture.
3. Moreover, the Assembly believes that economic development
and the protection of heritage are not in contradiction. Numerous
examples show that investments made in heritage conservation can
make a significant contribution to economic and social development.
However, new innovative mechanisms and partnerships are needed to
achieve those goals more effectively and more systematically.
4. The Assembly therefore underlines that heritage conservation
needs long-term integrated strategies and coherent policies, including
investment plans, which should take account not only of the costs
of heritage conservation projects, but also of the potential of
heritage conservation as a key element in socio-economic regeneration
projects and of its democratic value for society.
5. Accordingly, the Assembly recommends that the member States
of the Council of Europe:
5.1. concerning
strategy and policy design:
5.1.1. sign and ratify the Council
of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage
for Society (CETS No. 199, “Faro Convention”) and the European Landscape Convention
(ETS No. 176) if they have not yet done so, and develop national
strategies which take into account the protection and use of the
cultural heritage according to the principles laid down in these
conventions;
5.1.2. conduct national surveys of heritage under statutory protection
to identify endangered heritage, establish priorities for action,
decide upon the most relevant action for each heritage site and
help direct resources to where they are most needed, bearing in
mind the right balance between monuments of architectural/historic
value and smaller heritage sites of value to the community;
5.1.3. mainstream heritage protection into decision making in
relation to planning and policy, at national, regional and local
level, include “heritage impact assessment” alongside environmental
impact assessment and use heritage as a key element in socio-economic regeneration
projects;
5.1.4. where feasible, conduct targeted regional surveys to also
consider heritage which is not yet under statutory protection in
order to identify endangered heritage sites of value for the local community
which could be included in regional development plans;
5.1.5. introduce regular reporting in national parliaments on
initiatives undertaken to safeguard endangered heritage and engage
with the Council of Europe, the European Union and UNESCO to harmonise
data related to endangered heritage and share best practice and
knowledge;
5.1.6. encourage co-operation between the ministries responsible
for heritage and for education with a view to raising awareness
of young people of the value of heritage and help them to strengthen
their cultural understanding and democratic citizenship based on
lessons learnt from heritage and experiences of democracy and human
exchanges based on the interpretation of heritage;
5.1.7. develop integrated and innovative heritage-led strategies
for the protection of monuments and historic towns and local and
regional development using the Council of Europe’s guidance and
methodologies, as developed within the framework of the Technical
Co-operation and Consultancy Programme related to the integrated
conservation of the cultural heritage, the UNESCO Historic Urban
Landscape initiative and the experience shared within the European Association
of Historic Towns and Regions (EAHTR);
5.2. concerning policy implementation:
5.2.1. review
the appropriate level for decision making concerning heritage in
danger to ensure coherence between national, regional and local
levels, which is an important issue particularly in decentralised
States;
5.2.2. improve co-ordination between government institutions,
local authorities, heritage institutions, museums, academies and
other partners to overcome “deadlock situations” associated with
endangered heritage, often due to complex legal and ownership issues;
5.2.3. ensure regular inspection of heritage sites (using also
digital technology) and harmonise data and relevant information
gathering to monitor change and identify problems in order to facilitate
regular maintenance;
5.2.4. review standards and guidelines for heritage maintenance,
conservation, restoration and rehabilitation as a practical approach
to managing change (appropriate materials and techniques), and provide
tailored training for project and site management;
5.3. concerning financial and technical support:
5.3.1. ensure
a level playing field between the conservation and the construction
sectors and introduce financial incentives for conservation and
restoration projects, such as tax reductions, soft loans, insurance
premiums and support to owners to help them face extra costs due
to specific heritage requirements and fees of accredited professionals;
5.3.2. pool knowledge and know-how in crafts and conservation
skills, including scientific analysis, digital recording of heritage
and project management;
5.3.3. develop training programmes for professionals in different
sectors and share good practice in urban regeneration projects,
community engagement, use of economic tools, etc;
5.3.4. give recognition to and support the activities of heritage
conservation groups working at national and local level.
6. The Assembly invites the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
of the Council of Europe to promote co-operation, exchange of expertise
and practical experience between local and regional authorities, in
order to better safeguard endangered heritage.