The road from Oslo to Mechelen – via Portoroz

Dag Myklebust

Senior Adviser

The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage

Mechelen 23 March 2009

Council of Europe:

 

Working party on “New strategies” 1991-92.

 

Emphasis on the role of voluntary organisations

 

Ministerial conference for Ministers responsible for cultural heritage

 

Helsinki June 1996.

the statement made by the Ministers responsible for cultural heritage at their 4th European Conference in Helsinki in

1996 :

“the role of voluntary organisations should be more effectively promoted, used and encouraged by taking into

account the major contributions made by voluntary initiatives in building a

democratic society”,

Working group set up by the Council of Europe.

 

Conclusion:

 

Norway should host a conference.

 

Why Norway? 

Foreningen til Norske Fortidsmindesmærkers Bevaring

 

The society for the Preservation of Ancient Norwegian Monuments

 

Founded 1844

A meeting in Guadalaharain 1999

Vlaamse Contactcommissie Monumentenzorg ( VCM )

 National Contact Monuments,

Netherlands ( NCM )

Dag – to which authority do you in your country go to for getting

permission to establish a voluntary organisation?

Target groups for the Oslo conference:

 Countries in Central and Eastern

Europe

•Why the Norwegian governments are so concerned about having a strong sector of voluntary organisations:

 “They are important factors in society due to the activity they

perform 

They are important as democratic participants, voicing the views and interests of their members

 They are carriers of belonging, companionship and meaning,

and are in many ways the “glue” of society 

Organisations are contributing in the confidence between people, and in this way give their contribution to reducing

prejudice and antagonism 

Organisations are important disseminators of knowledge and learning

 The numerous conglomerate of organisations are contributing

to a social plurality which in itself is a benefit, because it gives room for a variety of common values, cultures and

interests.”

Minister of Environment Siri Bjerke at the Oslo conference: 

“Finally I would like to underline the important role of voluntary organisations as critics of governmental policies and of the bureaucracy. I know that this may sound strange to you

being said by a minister. But for us here in Norway, a government is only seen as truly democratic if it allows others

to criticise its work. This of course does not mean that we necessarily agree with the criticism. But this dialogue is

essential for a true and consolidated democracy.”

What happened afterwards?

The Vth Council of Europe ministerial conference for ministers responsible for

Cultural Heritagemeeting in Portoroz in Slovenia

6-7 April 2001adopted a declaration on the role of Voluntary Organisations in the field of Cultural heritage

 

8.      Governments should encourage voluntary organisations to take an

active part in preventing conflicts by respecting cultural diversity and encouraging the protection of the

culture of others. 

THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON THE VALUE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR

SOCIETY

Opened for signature in Faro, Portugal,

27 October 2005.

 

Section III – Shared responsibility for cultural heritage and public participation

Article 11 – The organisation of public responsibilities for cultural heritage

In the management of the cultural heritage, the Parties undertake to:

a   promote an integrated and well-informed approach by public authorities in all sectors and at all levels;

b   develop the legal, financial and professional frameworks which make possible joint action by public authorities,

experts, owners, investors, businesses, non-governmental organisations and civil society;

c   develop innovative ways for public authorities to co-operate with other actors;

d   respect and encourage voluntary initiatives which complement the roles of

public authorities;

e   encourage non-governmental organisations concerned with heritage

conservation to act in the public interest.

Article 12 – Access to cultural heritage and democratic participation

The Parties undertake to:

a   encourage everyone to participate in:–   the process of identification, study, interpretation,

protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural heritage ;

–   public reflection and debate on the opportunities and challenges which the cultural heritage represents;

b   take into consideration the value attached by each heritage community to the cultural heritage with which it

identifies;

c   recognise the role of voluntary organisations both as partners in activities and

as constructive critics of cultural heritage policies;

d   take steps to improve access to the heritage, especially among young people and

the disadvantaged, in order to raise awareness about its value, the need to

maintain and preserve it, and the benefits which may be derived from it.

Who is hosting the

 

Second European Conference on Voluntary Organisations in the field

of Cultural Heritage?