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10th International Conference of Trusts |
Introduction
This was the 10th International Conference of National Trusts and was held at the new Conference Centre in the city of Edinburgh. Over 40 countries were represented ranging from Russia to Australia. This is the first year that Guernsey was represented and being only 24 square miles in size, I thought we would be the smallest. However Gibraltar and Bermuda were ahead of us with the NT for Jersey just behind. The Conference consisted of high quality lectures by distinguished people, stimulating workshops on a range of subjects and a visit to the Scottish Lime Centre.
The Edinburgh Declaration
All participants endorsed this Declaration on behalf of their respective organisations. I felt I could do this on behalf of the NT of Guernsey as this was a Declaration and not a Charter or an Accord. If it had been the latter two, I would of course have had to seek Council approval. The Declaration states:
"WE - the International Network of National Trusts; the Participants of the 10th International Conference of National Trusts; and the wider international heritage movement, including both governmental and non-governmental organisations - hereby call on all governments, organisations and individuals engaged in heritage conservation across the world to take up the challenge of reducing, and eventually reversing, the progressive damage and destruction of our cultural and natural heritage."
Specifically we also hereby declare that:
Governments throughout the world, including government at both the national and local levels, should give greater recognition to the benefits arising from the conservation of cultural and natural heritage both to the present and future generations, and therefore should give the conservation of heritage a higher political and financial priority in the determination of national and local policies, using the resources more efficiently and effectively.
Non-governmental organisations around the world should raise their efforts to halt the loss of both cultural and national heritage at national and local levels, deploying the resources at their disposal in a professional and effective way to achieve this end. Both governments and non-governmental organisations should work together more closely to address the problem of the progressive loss of cultural and natural heritage, developing joint initiatives both to raise public understanding and concern, and to build capacity at the national and local levels, where appropriate calling on international assistance and co-operation. The State Parties to the World Heritage Convention should reinforce their commitment to implement the requirements of Article 5 of the Convention as confirmed by the 2002 Budapest Declaration, namely "to protect heritage in all its diversity as an instrument for the sustainable development of all societies through dialogue and mutual understanding".
There follows lists of measures for adoption by governmental and non- governmental organisations to strengthen their commitment.
Conclusion
I hope the Council agrees that this was a most useful conference. The next conference will be in 2006 in either Canada or the USA. The Declaration gives us a good PR opportunity (post Council Meeting) and the Bull Points, I believe, give us many good leads on how we could conduct our business. There is much to discuss. I met many people particularly the NT for ScotlandŐs Director of Marketing and Customer Service who offered to visit Guernsey and Jersey to advise on how we could improve our attraction. Also I acquired the NT's new policy document on "Acquisition of Property". The Chief Executive of NT for Jersey and I discussed a joint workshop, at the earliest opportunity, between the two islands based on the findings of the Edinburgh Conference. I believe much good, and co-operation, could come from an initiative of this sort.
P.A. Voûte. Hon. PRO.