Creating International Standards

What does “standard” mean? When, cultural differences and traditions notwithstanding, States agree to common rules, they can draw up an international instrument: an agreement or convention, which are legally binding, a recommendation or a declaration. UNESCO participates in this effort through its standard-setting action, serving as a central forum for coordinating the ethical, normative and intellectual issues of our time, fostering multidisciplinary exchange and mutual understanding, working – where possible and desirable – towards universal agreements on these issues, defining benchmarks and mobilizing international opinion.

Who may provide standards? Questions of cultural heritage, both the philosophy and of best practices have spawned many super-national organizations of regional and world-wide scope. These organizations offer different subject domains and different tactics, goals, and objectives. Council of Europe ICOM (International Council of Museums) ICOMOS (International Council on Sites and Monuments) ICAHM (International Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management (a committee of ICOMOS) IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) OWHC (Organization of World Heritage Cities) UNESCO (United National Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) WMF (World Monuments Fund) And many more

ICOMOS –what do the letters stand for? ICOMOS is not a sovereign government. It is an organization composed of representatives of sovereign governments. The organization has no enforcement (no police powers). It therefore it provides a forum for focused discussion on issues of conservation practice and preservation. No country fully embraces the methodologies of ICOMOS. ICOMOS meets in “Congresses or Committees” that prepare negotiated “charters” “Resolutions,” or “standards.” Charters are first adopted by the General Assembly of ICOMOS and then may be adopted by National ICOMOS committees.

United States not-ratified Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The Hague, 14 May Convention against Discrimination in Education. Paris, 14 December International Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations. Rome, 26 October Protocol Instituting a Conciliation and Good Offices Commission to be Responsible for Seeking the Settlement of any Disputes which may Arise between States Parties to the Convention against Discrimination in Education. Paris, 10 December Protocol to amend articles 6 and 7 of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. Regina, Canada, 28 May Convention on Technical and Vocational Education. Paris, 10 November Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas, and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific. Bangkok, 16 December Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mexico City, 19 July International Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab and European States bordering on the Mediterranean. Nice, 17 December Regional Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in the African States. Arusha, 5 December Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in the Arab States. Paris, 22 December Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees concerning Higher Education in the States belonging to the Europe Region. Paris, 21 December Multilateral Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation of Copyright Royalties, with model bilateral agreement and additional Protocol. Madrid, 13 December Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region. Lisbon, 11 April Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The Hague, 26 March Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Paris, 2 November Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Paris, 17 October Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. Paris, 20 October 2005

Examples of Adopted Charters International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (The Venice Charter)International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (The Venice Charter) 1964 The Florence Charter (Historic gardens and landscapes) The Florence Charter (Historic gardens and landscapes) 1981 Charter on the Conservation of Historic Towns and Urban Areas Charter on the Conservation of Historic Towns and Urban Areas 1987 Charter for the Protection and Management of the Archaeological Heritage Charter for the Protection and Management of the Archaeological Heritage 1990 Charter for the Protection and Management of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Charter for the Protection and Management of the Underwater Cultural Heritage 1996 International Charter on Cultural Tourism International Charter on Cultural Tourism 1999 Principles for the Preservation of Historic Timber Structures Principles for the Preservation of Historic Timber Structures 1999 Charter on the Built Vernacular heritage Charter on the Built Vernacular heritage 1999

Charter format INTRODUCTION--The Charter Ethos Objectives of the Charter Principles (for example) Since domestic and international tourism is among the foremost vehicles for cultural exchange, conservation should provide responsible and well managed opportunities for members of the host community and visitors to experience and understand that community's heritage and culture at first hand. Sub-Principles Individual aspects of natural and cultural heritage have differing levels of significance, some with universal values, others of national, regional or local importance. Interpretation programmes should present that significance in a relevant and accessible manner to the host community and the visitor, with appropriate, stimulating and contemporary forms of education, media, technology and personal explanation of historical, environmental and cultural information.

Conventions, Declarations, Recommendations, Conventions are Agreements of Standard-Setting Nature adopted under the auspices of UNESCO solely or jointly with other International Organizations. Member states who sign or agree to abide by the convention are added to the list of state parties Recommendations are instruments in which “the General Conference formulates principles and norms for the international regulation of any particular question and invites Member States to take whatever legislative or other steps may be required in conformity with the constitutional practice of each State and the nature of the question under consideration to apply the principles and norms aforesaid within their respective territories” These are therefore norms which are not subject to ratification but which Member States are invited to apply. Recommendations are intended to influence the development of national laws and practices. The procedure for drafting recommendations is identical to that followed for preparing conventions adopted by the General Conference. However, recommendations are adopted by a simple majority, while a two-thirds majority is required for the adoption of conventions. Declarations are another means of defining norms, which are not subject to ratification. “In United Nations practice, a “declaration” is a formal and solemn instrument, suitable for rare occasions when principles of great and lasting importance are being enunciated, such as the Declaration of Human Rights. A recommendation is less formal.

Resolutions and Declarations of ICOMOS Symposia Resolutions and Declarations are summaries and conclusions of specific ICOMOS international meetings of professionals. Resolutions of the symposium on the Introduction of Contemporary Architecture into Ancient Groups of BuildingsResolutions of the symposium on the Introduction of Contemporary Architecture into Ancient Groups of Buildings 1972 Resolution on the Conservation of Smaller Historic TownsResolution on the Conservation of Smaller Historic Towns 1975 Tlaxcala Declaration on the Revitalization of Small SettlementsTlaxcala Declaration on the Revitalization of Small Settlements 1982 Declaration of Dresden on the "Reconstruction of Monuments Destroyed by War" Declaration of Dresden on the "Reconstruction of Monuments Destroyed by War" (1982) Guidelines for Education and Training in the Conservation of Monuments, Ensembles and SitesGuidelines for Education and Training in the Conservation of Monuments, Ensembles and Sites 1993 The Nara Document on Authenticity The Nara Document on Authenticity (Nara Conference on Authenticity in Relation to the World Heritage Convention, held at Nara, Japan, from 1-6 November 1994) Declaration of San Antonio Declaration of San Antonio at the InterAmerican Symposium on Authenticity in the Conservation and Management of the Cultural Heritage 1996 Principles for the recording of monuments, groups of buildings and sitesPrinciples for the recording of monuments, groups of buildings and sites 1996 The Stockholm Declaration : Declaration of ICOMOS marking the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights The Stockholm Declaration : Declaration of ICOMOS marking the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted by the ICOMOS Executive and Advisory Committees at their meetings in Stockolm, 11 September 1998)

Standards proposed by National ICOMOS Committees Charters created by National ICOMOS Committees are related to the specific national and regional concerns of that group. These groups are not government offices. The Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance The Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance (The Burra Charter) (Australia ICOMOS) Charter for the Preservation of Quebec's Heritage (Deschambault Declaration) (ICOMOS Canada) Appleton Charter for the Protection and Enhancement of the Built Environment (ICOMOS Canada) First Brazilian Seminar About the Preservation and Revitalization of Historic Centers (ICOMOS Brazil) Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Heritage Value (ICOMOS New Zealand) A Preservation Charter for the Historic Towns and Areas of the United States of America (US/ICOMOS) Charter for the Preservation of Quebec's Heritage Appleton Charter for the Protection and Enhancement of the Built Environment First Brazilian Seminar About the Preservation and Revitalization of Historic Centers Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Heritage Value A Preservation Charter for the Historic Towns and Areas of the United States of America

Other International Standards Athens Charter for the Restoration of Historic Monuments Athens Charter for the Restoration of Historic Monuments (First International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historic Monuments, Athens, 1931) Normas de Quito, 1967 Declaration of Amsterdam Declaration of Amsterdam (Congress on the European Architectural Heritage, October 1975) European Charter of the Architectural Heritage European Charter of the Architectural Heritage (Council of Europe, October 1975) UNESCO Conventions and Recommendations UNESCO Basic Texts, 2010