Networks of Experts
© N. Heyl 2005
Engraved, silver-plated and treated copper plate
Bringing together experts and professionals sharing common challenges and expectations is key to joining efforts towards the development of regional approaches and strategies in South-East Europe.
Enhancing capacities in the area of cultural heritage as well as making available knowledge in decision-making processes, while addressing issues of gender equality and brain-drain, is now of strategic importance.
Special emphasis is therefore placed on the sharing of knowledge, strengthening of partnerships, coordination and synergies between national and regional cultural institutions.
© UNESCO/A. Versaci
Dances and Rituals from Bulgarian ceremony
Intangible Cultural Heritage
According to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) – or living heritage – is the mainspring of our cultural diversity and its maintenance a guarantee for continuing creativity.
Cultural heritage is not limited to material manifestations, such as monuments and objects that have been preserved over time.
© Croatian Conservation Institute
The island of Vele Orijule
Underwater Heritage
It encompasses all traces of human existence that lie or were lying under water and have a cultural or historical character.
Recognizing the urgent need to preserve and protect such heritage, UNESCO elaborated in 2001 the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
© UNESCO
together to prevent illicit trafic of cultural property
Illicit Traffic
Protection of cultural property and the fight against illicit trafficking, concerted normative and diplomatic actions will be encouraged to promote the protection of cultural property and the more particularly concerning the question of strengthening the protection of the cultural objects and the fight against illicit trafficking.