Cultural heritage is an essential part of the identity of individuals, communities and societies. It connects them to their past, to the stories of their ancestors, and to their values, beliefs and sense of belonging. It provides a foundation to make sense of the world and enables people to achieve their goals. But cultural heritage is fragile and needs our help to survive. That’s why Blue Shield is committed to preserving and protecting the heritage of communities in which we operate.
A broad definition of cultural heritage relates to any tangible or intangible expressions that form the basis of an individual’s identity, culture and history. It includes a wide range of material objects, monuments and groups of buildings or sites of particular historical, aesthetic, ethnological, scientific and social value. It also encompasses museums and their collections and the knowledge embedded in a community’s culture. It can include religious and scientific traditions, languages and their written transmission, traditional music, dance, crafts and handicrafts, architecture, landscapes, the natural environment with its biodiversity, and archaeological sites of special interest.
The concept of cultural heritage arose as a result of the gradual development of values related to objects and structures, their preservation or protection and their loss or destruction. It is based on the notion that cultural heritage and its relationship with the natural environment is unique and irreplaceable, and it is considered to belong to all humankind. As a consequence, there is an urgent need to protect it against deliberate destruction or loss, as well as distortions and ahistorical interpretations.
But there are also many challenges in preserving our heritage, especially in developing countries. While UNESCO has developed a policy of heritage for development, the implementation of this approach remains a challenge. It is important to address this, particularly in terms of funding. Many poor countries need to invest far more in their heritage than they can afford. But how can they justify such expenditure when it competes with other claims for government funds?
The question of how to define and classify heritage is also complex. There are a number of different definitions, ranging from a set of principles and criteria established by the World Heritage Committee to a specific list of objects that must be protected. The former approach reflects the 1972 World Heritage Convention that defines cultural heritage as “a natural or cultural site or precisely delineated area of outstanding universal value.” This definition includes architectural, artistic, archeological, ethnological or anthropological heritage and cultural landscapes.
However, the intangible heritage is not included in this definition and can only be recognised as heritage by the communities that create, maintain and transmit it – without their recognition, nobody can decide for them whether something is their heritage. This is why it is so crucial for ensuring that the preservation of intangible heritage, as well as the cultural diversity of our societies, is integrated into sustainable development policies and actions at all levels.