The local population is the prime ambassador of their territory. They recognise sites, objects, customs, activities, traditions and the people who keep them alive, as a constantly evolving expression of their values, knowledge and beliefs. These often unrecognised forms of heritage should not be neglected, we should prioritise the most fragile and support the collective memory.

 Recommended courses of action for S8

  • Increase citizens’ knowledge of and information on heritage in order to enable them to participate in an informed way
  • Showcase efforts by local communities to reveal and rehabilitate forgotten heritage (identification and discovery, upkeep, promotion)
  • Support the transmission of oral traditions, drawing on the experience of local inhabitants
  • Support local “memory and history transmission” initiatives: visits, comparing notes and exchanging memories, reports, publications, etc.
  • Train inhabitants to be “ambassadors” of their territory (town, neighbourhood, company) so that they can share their knowledge and communicate their pride and their attachment to the territory and its heritage
  • Support the creation or reactivation of links (intellectual, emotional, material, etc.) between citizens and the cultural heritage

 Good practices for S8