The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities has issued a new publication presenting its report on “Culture without borders: cultural heritage management for local and regional development”. The report emphasises the power of tangible and intangible cultural heritage as a catalyst for sustainable development, urban regeneration and tourism.

Current challenges facing Europe, from the Russian Federation’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine to the growing threat of climate change, are stark reminders of both the value of our cultural heritage – and its fragility. The report calls for signatures and ratifications of two emblematic Council of Europe Conventions: the Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (known as “Faro Convention”) which celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year and the Council of Europe Landscape Convention which celebrates its 25^th anniversary. It also provides a basis for future Congress action on cultural heritage. This includes the ongoing preparation of reports on cultural heritage and memory and on history teaching at regional level.

This publication has been produced in partnership with the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes Enlarged Partial Agreement based in Luxembourg. The Cultural Routes programme continues to expand in its membership and the number of routes, highlighting how cultures and cultural wealth of different regions of Europe contribute to a shared cultural heritage.