Expeditio

In Brussels, on 7 December 2005, the European Cultural Heritage Forum “Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe ” was held. The only participant from Serbia and Montenegro was a representative of the non-governmental organization EXPEDITIO, the Centre for Sustainable Spatial Development, from Kotor. The Forum was organized by EUROPA NOSTRA, the Pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, with the cooperation of the European Economic and Social Committee. The Forum was attended by more than 200 participants, representatives of EU Institutions and non-governmental organizations, from around 40 countries. The aim of the European Cultural Heritage Forum was to launch and encourage a regular and constructive policy dialogue between representatives of EU Institutions and representatives of Europe’s civil society committed to heritage conservation. At the current phase of the building of Europe which is marked by a growing gap between Europe’s citizens and Europe’s Institutions, the renewed debate on Europe of the Culture needs to be pursued with even more intensity and with the full involvement of all stakeholders. In this context, special attention should be given to our common cultural heritage which is promoted by a growing number of civil society organizations throughout Europe.

The European Cultural Heritage Forum was attended by representatives of EU Institutions, European Commission, European Parliament, representatives of Europa Nostra and other non-governmental organizations concerned with heritage from all over Europe, as well as representatives of other key international organizations, in particular the Council of Europe. The Forum has launched the issues of the role of cultural heritage for the on-going process of the building of Europe, and what Europe can do to encourage the safeguard and enhancement of Europe’s cultural heritage. Presentations of representatives of EU Institutions and non-governmental organizations were held within the panel discussions focusing on the issues of “Heritage and the Building of Europe“, “Cultural Heritage and Active Citizenship“, „Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Economic and Social Development“. The final conclusions were presented within a panel discussion “Towards a European Strategy for Cultural Heritage“.

EUROPA NOSTRA, the Pan-European Federation for Cultural Heritage, is the representative platform for over 200 heritage NGOs active throughout Europe. The non-governmental organization EXPEDITIO from Kotor is a member of the Europa Nostra Federation. Additional information about the Forum and the document “Cultural Heritage Counts for Europe”, adopted by Europa Nostra in June 2005, can be found at: www.europanostra.org

Articles

PARTICIPATION IN THE EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE FORUM “CULTURAL HERITAGE COUNTS FOR EUROPE