Menschenrechte, Demokratie und Rechtsstaatlichkeit
Key areas of work of the Council of Europe
Discover a selection of topics highlighting the Council of Europe’s work on some of the major challenges facing our societies. From artificial intelligence, the environment and migration to health and the consequences of conflict, explore how the Organisation works to protect human rights, strengthen democracy and uphold the rule of law across Europe.
European cultural heritage represents an invaluable shared asset that transcends national boundaries, reflecting the languages, histories, and artistic expressions of Europe’s diverse peoples. The European Cultural Convention of 1954 laid the foundations for the Council of Europe’s work. Now, in a rapidly digitalising world, Europe’s cultural treasures face new challenges, including illegal trafficking, deliberate destruction and the unwanted effects of technological change. This has given a new impetus to the organisation’s work to protect and safeguard intangible European cultural heritage to the highest standards, encouraging cross-border cooperation and sharing of innovative cultural policies.
