S3 - Use heritage to assert and transmit the fundamental values of Europe and European society

Cultural heritage can help the citizens of Europe to look beyond their specific national, regional or local features developing a feeling of shared belonging and history, in line with the fundamental European values of humanism and democracy. Cultural heritage highlights the importance of the knowledge, skills and know-how, imported or exported, that have emerged in Europe through the ages and contributed to build its society.

S3 Challenges
Societal challenges
- Living in peace
- Improve quality of life
- Contribute to people’s well-being and good health
- Preserve the collective memory
- Establish good governance
- Promote participatory management
- Optimise implementation of the conventions
- Promote an inclusive approach to heritage
Development challenges
- Building a more inclusive and cohesive society
Knowledge challenges
- Helping to foster a shared knowledge society
- Raising awareness of the values conveyed by heritage
- Supporting, strengthening and promoting intergovernmental co-operation

S3 Target audience
- local
- regional
- European

Recommended courses of action for S3
- Use the many varied expressions of heritage to promote and spread the fundamental values of Europe and of European culture and society
- Underline the fact that the diversity of our cultural heritage has both a European and a local dimension
- Identify and highlight the tangible and intangible exogenous influences that have contributed to the history of European society and European culture
- Identify and highlight the exchanges of skills and know-how, imported or exported
- Use wording and presentation approaches adapted to different audiences to show that our heritage and our cultural diversity are assets for the future of Europe
- Produce written, audiovisual and digital material in several languages, creating links between a particular site or event and the other cultures concerned
- Take part in European Heritage Days and other events highlighting the link between cultural heritage and European values, ideals and principles
- Disseminate the spirit of the “European Heritage Label” to generate enthusiasm using examples of regional or local cultural heritage
- Encourage and promote the “European Capitals of Culture”
- Draw up a collective and interdisciplinary history of heritage in Europe
Good practices for S3

- Strategy 21 - Social component (S)
- S1 - Encourage the involvement of citizens and local authorities in capitalising on their everyday heritage
- S2 - Make heritage more accessible
- S3 - Use heritage to assert and transmit the fundamental values of Europe and European society
- S4 - Promote heritage as a meeting place and vehicle for intercultural dialogue, peace and tolerance
- S5 - Encourage and assess citizen participation practices and procedures
- S6 - Create a suitable framework to enable local authorities and communities to take action for the benefit of their heritage and its management
- S7 - Develop and promote participatory heritage identification programmes
- S8 - Encourage heritage rehabilitation initiatives by local communities and authorities
- S9 - Support intergenerational and intercultural projects to promote heritage
- S10 - Facilitate and encourage (public and private) partnerships in cultural heritage promotion and conservation projects