952nd meeting – 11 January 2006

Appendix 5

(Item 7.3)

Terms of reference of the Steering Committee for Cultural Heritage (CDPAT) – 2006-2007

General terms of reference

1.         Name of the Committee:

Steering Committee for Cultural Heritage (CDPAT)

2.         Type of Committee:

Steering Committee

3.         Source of terms of reference:

Committee of Ministers

4.         Terms of reference:

Under the authority of the Committee of Ministers, in the framework of the European Cultural Convention, the Steering Committee for Cultural Heritage shall be responsible for the activities concerning tangible and intangible cultural heritage from the point of view of priorities defined at the Third Summit of Heads of State and Government of the member states (Warsaw, 16-17 May 2005) as they are reflected each year in the Programme of Activities adopted by the Committee of Ministers (Project 2005/DGIV/479 “Promote European identities through culture and heritage”, Project 2005/DGIV/480 “Heritage policies in a changing society”, Project 2003/DG4/111 “Development of communities through cultural Heritage” and Project 2003/DG4/110 “Landscape policies and sustainable spatial development”).

i.          The Committee shall draw up guidelines for the annual programme of activities which it will submit to the Committee of Ministers through the Secretary General. Its proposals specifically concern:

-           the contribution of cultural heritage towards the creation of a democratic sphere based on mutual recognition of the various cultural traditions co-existing in Europe, the European identities and the realisation of common values and shared ideals;

-           the consideration of values related to cultural heritage in building a more humane and inclusive Europe;

-           the evolution of conservation and enhancement methods of heritage within the context of the information society and in the light of sustainable management of cultural resources and sustainable development.

ii.         The Committee shall ensure that this programme, once adopted by the Committee of Ministers, is implemented. It shall evaluate and disseminate its results and put forward appropriate proposals, or, where necessary, take decisions for exploiting these results to the best possible effect in co-operation with other relevant bodies, notably civil society.

iii.         The Committee shall be responsible for the follow-up of the Technical Co-operation and Consultancy Programme related to the Integrated Conservation of the Cultural Heritage.

iv.        The Committee shall prepare the Council of Europe conferences of Ministers responsible for cultural heritage and ensure their follow-up.

v.         The Committee shall be responsible for:

a.         the follow-up of conventions pertaining to heritage, namely:

-           the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (1969);

-           the Convention for the Protection of the Architectural Heritage of Europe (1985);

-           the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (revised 1992);

b.         the promotion of principles contained in the Framework Convention of the Council of Europe on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (2005).

The Committee shall use the Technical Co-operation and Consultancy Programme and the European Heritage Information Network tool (HEREIN system) to follow-up on conventions and for the implementation of its programme of activities.

vi.        In collaboration with other concerned committees, in particular the Steering Committee for Culture (CDCULT) and the European Conference of Ministers responsible for Regional Planning (CEMAT):

-           it shall develop and present to the Committee of Ministers new reference texts contributing to the protection and promotion of cultural diversity, the development of intercultural dialogue and the promotion of heritage;

-           it shall develop legislative, technical and institutional based consultancy missions as well as on-site interventions in collaboration with the Culture, Regional Planning and Nature Protection Departments;

-           it shall participate in the follow-up of the European Landscape Convention;

-           it shall develop awareness-raising and educational programmes namely through the European Heritage Days;

-           it shall implement the European Cultural Routes Programme.

vii.        The Committee shall co-ordinate its work with that of other bodies of the Council of Europe, it shall participate in multisectoral initiatives and shall contribute to the cross-sectoral programmes defined by the Secretary General.

5.         Membership of the Committee:

A.         Members

Each Contracting Party to the European Cultural Convention may be represented by one or more national senior official responsible for heritage policy.

The expenses of one representative per Contracting Party (two in the case of the State whose representative has been elected Chair) will be borne by the Council of Europe budget.

B.         Participants

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe may be represented – with the right to vote[1] – at the meetings of the Committee. Their representatives' expenses will be borne by their respective administrative budgets.

C.         Other participants

i.          One representative of the European Commission may take part in the Committee's meetings, without the right to vote or defrayal of expenses.

ii.         The following observer states with the Council of Europe may send a representative to meetings of the Committee, without the right to vote or defrayal of expenses:

- Canada;

- Japan;

- Mexico;

- United States of America.

iii.         The following intergovernemental organisations may send representatives to meetings of the Committee, without the right to vote or defrayal of expenses:

            - UNESCO;

            - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe;

            - OECD;

            - OSCE;

            - EFTA.

D.        Observers

i.          The following state and non-governmental organisations may send representatives to meetings of the Committee, without the right to vote or defrayal of expenses:

- Israel;

- Europa Nostra;

- International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS);

- Organisation of World Heritage Cities (O.W.H.C.);

- International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Culture Property (ICCROM);

- European Association of Archaeologists (EAA);

- Europae Archaeologiae Consilium (EAC).

ii.         Persons particularly qualified in the field of cultural heritage conservation may attend the Committee's meetings when invited to do so by the Chair, subject to the Committee’s agreement and to the terms and arrangements that the Committee shall decide.

6.         Working structures and methods:

Within its terms of reference, the Committee elects a Bureau of eight members.

The Committee is entitled to set up working parties with a view to ensuring the implementation of its activities.

The Committee and its Bureau shall organise their work in accordance with the provisions applicable to intergovernmental co-operation structures laid down by the Committee of Ministers.

7.         Duration:

These terms of reference will expire on 31 December 2007.