Culture

Based on the assumptions that culture contributes to the maintenance of peace and that the protection of culture is a general interest of the international community as a whole, UNESCO has promoted the conclusion of a number of treaties of global application that follow a broad concept of “cultural heritage” as the expression of the spirituality and creativity of individuals and peoples. They relate to the protection of cultural heritage during conflict, the illicit movements of cultural properties, the tangible cultural heritage, the underwater cultural heritage, the intangible cultural heritage, and the diversity of cultural expressions. In other cases, such as the intentional destruction of cultural heritage, declarations have been adopted within the UNESCO framework. Despite some gaps and criticisms, the UNESCO action is an indispensable tool for the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage at the international level.