UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the World's Cultural Heritage (Chinese-English Parallel Text)

Author: Compiled by the Department of External Relations of the Ministry of Culture
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted at the 24th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 1972 and came into effect on December 17, 1975. The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was adopted at the 32nd session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2003 and entered into force on April 20, 2006. The Convention on the Safeguarding and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was adopted at the 33rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2005 and will enter into force three months after the deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession by the 30th State Party with the Director-General of UNESCO. More than 30 years ago, the international community had already reached a consensus on the protection of human material heritage, and the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage established the obligation of the international community to protect human material heritage. Thirty years later, in today's increasingly globalized economy and rapid technological advancement, the survival and development of the unique material, intangible, and diverse cultural expressions created by the world's nations are of growing concern and importance to the international community. The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Convention on the Safeguarding and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expressions were thus born. The Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage establishes the equal importance of various intangible cultural practices, expressions, knowledge, and skills, passed down through traditional means from generation to generation, alongside material heritage. Furthermore, the Convention on the Safeguarding and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expressions recognizes the rich and varied cultural expressions of humanity as a common heritage, granting sovereign authority to governments to formulate cultural policies that "safeguard and promote the diversity of cultural expressions and strengthen international cooperation." This book compiles the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the Convention on the Safeguarding and Promoting the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. It aims to provide a clear and concise reading of UNESCO's cultural protection legal instruments for governments at all levels, cultural practitioners, experts and scholars, non-governmental organizations, and all individuals concerned with culture. The book serves as a legal reference and behavioral guide for them to formulate and implement policies and engage in cultural activities.