Mission of the Directorate of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage
 

The core mission of the Council of Europe is to advance respect for human rights, the practice of democracy and the rule of law. Culture is an essential component and a key factor for the effective delivery of this mission.

For this reason the Directorate of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage has two complementary aims: to serve the Council of Europe's mandate as it relates to the sectors of culture, cultural heritage and natural heritage; and to promote the enabling power of culture and heritage as a force for democracy in European societies.

This work is based on the processes of creativity, open access and democratic pluralism. We adopt a rights-based approach to our work, which gives a prominent role to the principle of equal participation by all in cultural life, and in the management of our individual and collective tangible and intangible cultural and heritage resources.

We encourage the democratic governance of culture and heritage as a key factor in attaining the sustainable development of communities, offering also an important means of promoting tolerance, understanding and mutual respect. We put a continuing focus on cultural co-operation within and across borders as it promotes dialogue between different individuals and groups, and helps prevent conflicts at all levels of our societies.

We promote the rule of law through international treaties, regulatory frameworks and implementation mechanisms which establish fundamental norms and standards for the integrated conservation of cultural and natural heritage, sustainable spatial development, cultural co-operation, and the value and social role of cultural and heritage.
 

Standards must be monitored and evaluated and, as an intergovernmental organisation, the Council of Europe is uniquely positioned to promote the exchange of information and good practice, the sharing of expertise, and the development of policy and practical guidelines for the different aspects of culture and heritage across a wide and inclusive Europe of 47 member states. Current priorities in such work include the challenges of the management of diversity and the processes of intercultural dialogue. Our activities are carried out in collaboration with governments, local and regional authorities, institutes and universities, independent experts and consultants, artists, and a wide range of non-governmental and civil society organisations and groups. We welcome questions and comments about any aspect of our work.

The Directorate of Culture and Cultural and Natural Heritage organises its work around four main functional strands:   the implementation of Council of Europe Conventions in its fields of activity; the monitoring, analysis and development of policies and practices, and the offering of advice and support; direct assistance to governments to enhance governance and management capacities through comprehensive regional programmes and pilot projects; special initiatives and awareness raising activities which promote our principles and values through concrete actions highlighting Europe's common cultural and natural assets and creativity.   See also "Structures and partners"