Cooperation with UNESCO
The organisation, goals and implementation
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), with its headquarters in Paris assembles 194 member states and 12 associate members. Its charter was signed in London on November 16, 1945 and became effective on November 4, 1946.
The organisation’s goals are implemented within two-year programmes drawn up by the General Conference on the basis of six-year "medium-term strategies".
Conventions in the fields of art/culture
UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
The "UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions" was adopted by the 33rd UNESCO General Conference of 2005 and came into effect on March 18, 2007 (Ratification by Austria in August 2006).
- UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
- Cultural Diversity. At no/any/what price? (in German)
- National Point of Contact on Cultural Diversity at the Austrian Commission for UNESCO
Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
The "Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" was adopted by the 32nd UNESCO General Conference in 2003 in Paris and came into effect in April 2006. Austria ratified the convention and has been a member state since July 2009. As part of the national implementation Austria has established a National Inventory of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2015, a study on traditional craftsmanship in Austria has surveyed traditional craftsmanship both as cultural heritage and as an economic factor.
- National Inventory of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Austrian Commission for UNESCO - Intangible Cultural Heritage Division
- Traditional Craftsmanship as Intangible Cultural Heritage and an Economic Factor in Austria (PDF, 7 MB)
Memory of the World
The UNESCO Memory of the World programme aims to facilitate preservation of the world's documentary heritage, enable universal access to documentary heritage worldwide and enhance public awareness about the significance of documentary heritage among the wider public. Austria participates in the programme and also maintains a national Memory of Austria register, which is regularly updated.
For more information
In the field of monument protection
- World Heritage Convention: There are presently 1199 sites on the World Heritage List, including 12 in Austria
World Heritage - The Hague Convention of 14 May 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
- Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property – 1970
- Activities in the context of ICCROM (International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property)
ICCROM
For more information
- World Heritage Convention: ruth.proeckl@bmkoes.gv.at
- Hague Convention: hannah.leodolter@bmkoes.gv.at