A Field Guide to Tactical Heritage Urbanism Volume 1: October 2016 | Page 18

Section I – Aims, definitions and principles
Article 1 – Aims of the Convention
The Parties to this Convention agree to:
a
recognise that rights relating to cultural heritage are inherent in
the right to participate in cultural life, as defined in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights;
b
recognise individual and collective responsibility towards cultural
heritage;
c
emphasise that the conservation of cultural heritage and its sustainable use have human development and quality of life as their goal;
d
take the necessary steps to apply the provisions of this Convention
concerning:

• the role of cultural heritage in the construction of a peaceful and
democratic society, and in the processes of sustainable development
and the promotion of cultural diversity;

• greater synergy of competencies among all the public, institutional
and private act ors concerned.
Article 2 – Definitions
For the purposes of this Convention,
a
cultural heritage is a group of resources inherited from the past which
people identify, independently of ownership, as a reflection and
expression of their constantly evolving values, beliefs, knowledge
and traditions. It includes all aspects of the environment resulting
from the interaction between people and places through time;
b
a heritage community consists of people who value specific aspects
of cultural heritage which they wish, within the framework of public
action, to sustain and transmit to future generations.
Article 3 – The common heritage of Europe
The Parties agree to promote an understanding of the common heritage of
Europe, which consists of:
a
all forms of cultural heritage in Europe which together constitute a
shared source of remembrance, understanding, identity, cohesion
and creativity, and
b
the ideals, principles and values, derived from the experience gained
through progress and past conflicts, which foster the development of
a peaceful and stable society, founded on respect for human rights,
democracy and the rule of law.

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