The Council of Europe is an intergovernmental organisation promoting European co-operation in the areas of human rights, democratic development and the rule of law. In this work, issues concerning cultural heritage, intercultural relations environmental justice and sustainable development play an important role.

Background and approach

The Council of Europe was founded in 1949 as a response to the need to secure the UN Declaration of Human Rights in Europe. Its prime task was to promote cohesion and a democratic development in a continent torn apart by World War II.

The Council of Europe's work has resulted in charters and conventions to facilitate cooperation between European countries. Unlike the EU, which is a supranational organisation, the Council of Europe has no mandate to make laws. The Council of Europe member states commit themselves through conventions and co-operate on the basis of common values and common political decisions. Those conventions and decisions are developed by the member states working together at the Council of Europe.

The Council of Europe's first task was to issue a European Convention on Human Rights. From the time of its founding until today, the organisation has taken the initiative to more than 200 conventions and treaties. A handful of these specifically addresses heritage.

What is a convention?

A convention is an international treaty that establishes obligations between countries, due to legislation, standards or policies. Some conventions apply to a global scale, while others have a regional scope.

The adoption of an international treaty or convention usually follows two steps. The first step is to sign the Convention, which means that a country agrees with the content of it. The second step is to ratify, meaning to confirm or approve. The ratifying party agrees to comply with the provisions of the Convention.

The Swedish National Heritage Board in the Council of Europe Cooperation

The Swedish National Heritage Board participates in the Council of Europe Cooperation in several ways. The Board has a representative in the Council of Europe Steering Committee for Cultural Heritage and Landscape (CDPATEP), which initiates and monitors the conventions in the field of cultural heritage and landscape.

The Swedish National Heritage Board is concerned with several conventions, both regarding national implementation of those that Sweden have already ratified and regarding preparation of conventions that Sweden has not yet signed or ratified.

The Heritage Board is a national contact point towards the Council of Europe on issues regarding the European Landscape Convention, the Faro Convention and Herein - a network and information system for cultural heritage protection. The Heritage Board is also coordinating the European Heritage Days in Sweden.

See also:
Council of Europe - Website of the Council of Europe.
HEREIN - Website of the European Heritage Network.
European Heritage Days in Sweden