The Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society
(2005 Faro Convention)
 

Adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 13 October 2005, the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society has been considered as one of the most advanced, inclusive and holistic vision over heritage and their role in contemporary society. Popularly known as the Faro Convention, adopting the name of the city where it was opened for signature to Member States in the Portuguese city of Faro on 27 October of 2005, this convention focuses on the importance of cultural heritage for contemporary society, as an integral part of Human Rights and Democracy, through the definition of a broad and interdisciplinary concept of heritage and its relationship with society. Establishing rights and responsibilities, it aims to promote sustainability, access to and use of digital technologies in the heritage field, making clear the decisive role those new generations and contemporary creativity play in this constantly changing reality. 

 

The Convention defines the "Common Heritage of Europe", where heritage, memory and creation merge for a culture of peace and respect for differences in which cultural heritage is a factor of agglutination, understanding and dialogue. With this broad definition, focus on heritage communities and shared responsibility, the Convention seeks creative ways of management and development with an active involvement of society. Signed by 7 member states (Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, San Marino, Spain and Poland) and ratified by 21 (Armenia, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland and Ukraine),  the Faro Convention entered into force on 1 June 2011 and is under consideration for joining by many other states. 

 

Bearing in mind the importance and innovation level of this document, and as to follow up the work of the European Union in the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018, the International Conference “Transforming through co-creation: Participatory heritage practices tackling urban challenges” aims at disseminating the Faro Convention’s principles and objectives, while fostering the discussion and deepening the understanding of its transformative power once fully applied.