Opening address at the First European conference on Voluntary organisations in the field of cultural heritage

Mr. Deputy Secretary General, ladies and gentlemen!

Let me start with the question many of you in this room may already have put to yourselves:

Why does Norway organise a European conference on voluntary organisations in the field of cultural heritage?

There are several answers to this question, and I will give you some of them. In order to understand them, however, you must bear in mind that this is a joint venture between four co-operating bodies, namely the Council of Europe, The Norwegian Ministry of Environment, The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage and the Norwegian Society for Preservation of Ancient Monuments. Or, as you for your own convenience could call by its name in the Norwegian language: Fortidsminneforeningen.

The Council of Europe has had the importance of the voluntary organisations on its cultural heritage agenda ever since the Fourth Conference for ministers responsible for Cultural Heritage in Helsinki in the early summer of 1996. I am grateful that the Cultural Heritage Committee of the Council followed this up, and established a working group on the role of voluntary organisations. This working group pointed to Norway as a natural venue for a conference on this topic, since we could boast the oldest voluntary organisation in the field, namely Fortidsminneforeningen.

I would also like to thank Fortidsminneforeningen for accepting the challenge to be the technical organiser of the conference. It is our hope that the work of this organisation with its management of some of our most valuable objects of architectural heritage, its high quality publications and its active role as a critical watchdog may be an inspiration for others. At the same time we have a lot to learn from experiences in other countries. Exchange of ideas is a necessity for development.

Another strong reason for hosting this conference in Norway is that the voluntary organisations have played important roles in building our democratic society. As you may know Norway drew up its still existing constitution in 1814, and, even having to share King and Foreign Service with neighbouring Sweden, we started to build a new nation from then on.

In the 1840-ies we got the first big wave of voluntary organisations, and Fortidsminneforeningen, established in 1844, was a part of this. Since then the number both of organisations and memberships have increased enormously, as well as their place in the Society. It is no secret that for instance a substantial part of the Norwegian health system is the result of the effort and determination of dedicated voluntary organisations, a number of them woman’s organisation.

In the last years we have had two governmental white papers on the relation between the state and voluntary organisations [ St.meld nr 27 ( 1996-97 ) og St.meld nr 44 ( 1997-98 )] presented by the Jagland government from the Social Democratic Party and from the following Bondevik coalition respectively, both underlining the need and support for voluntary organisations in a democratic society, and consequently demonstrating the broad political consensus on this issue in Norway.

This consensus allows the Norwegian government to subsidise voluntary organisations with more than 100 US$ per capita of the total population. Since approximately 60 percent of the population are members of one or more voluntary organisation this is something that adds to the general welfare of the public. The total numbers of memberships in voluntary organisations adds up to close to 500 % of the population. This means that it is normal for a Norwegian to be member of as much as six or seven different organisations.

The basic reason for putting such a strong emphasis on what is often called "the third sector" is not only that it actually serves society in many different fields, bot also its importance for democracy. A democratic structure, with representative governing boards and equal rights for all members is a prerequisite for obtaining governmental financial support.

This again means that the participation in voluntary work gives an everyday experience in democratic practice. We see this as one of the pillars of a democratic nation, since the voluntary organisations then consolidates democracy as a political principle

Returning to the two governmental white papers we find here clearly stated the following reasons for society's need for the voluntary sector, and I quote:

"They are important factors in society due to the activity they perform

They are important as democratic participants, voicing the views and interests of their members

They are carriers of belonging, companionship and meaning, and are in many ways the "glue" of society

Organisations are contributing in the creation of confidence between people, and in this way give their contribution to reducing prejudice and antagonism

Organisations are important disseminators of knowledge and learning

The numerous conglomerate of organisations are contributing to a social plurality which in itself is a benefit, because it gives room for a variety of common values, cultures and interests."

As Minister of Environment I would like to especially point out the need for active participation of the voluntary organisations in the implementation of Local Agenda 21, and that this participation is necessary for increased shared responsibility. If we shall manage to change the behaviour of people into a more environmentally friendly pattern, we must focus on the potential power for change to increased environmental consciousness that is imbedded in local communities and their voluntary associations. And in the Norwegian perspective, the cultural heritage is seen as an integrated part of the environment we must protect.

Finally I would like to underline the important role of the voluntary organisations as critics of governmental policies and of the bureaucracy. I know that this may seem strange to many of you being said by a minister. But for us here in Norway, a government is only seen as truly democratic if it encourages others to criticise its work. This of course does not mean that we necessarily agree with the criticism. But this dialogue is essential for a true and consolidated democracy.

I would like to thank you all for coming to Norway and this conference, and I sincerely hope you can benefit from it. I remind you of the nature of the conference. It is not and end in itself, only a platform for making contacts and getting inspiration. The success of the conference rest with your active participation and ability to make use of the opportunity, and above all the follow up you produce at home after the conference.

I wish you all the possible luck in this extremely important work!