"5 ^th European Conference for Ministers responsible for the Cultural Heritage"

Thank you, Madam Chair

I would like to thank the Slovenian Minister of Culture for hosting this important conference.

For Norway it is considered important especially due to the fact that we here can get a document that strengthen the position and underline the importance of voluntary organisations in the field of cultural heritage.

The Council of Europe has had the importance of the voluntary organisations on its cultural heritage agenda ever since the Fourth and till now last 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

A conference on voluntary organisations in the field of cultural heritage was held in Oslo in September last year, and from the responses we have had from the participants it could clearly be called a success. A report from the conferanse is distributed at this meeting.

In Norway the voluntary organisations have played important roles in building our democratic society. In the last years we have had white papers from two different governments on the relation between the state and voluntary organisations, 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 quite a huge amount of money per capita of the total population. Since approximately 60 percent of the 4 millions Norwegians are members of one or more voluntary organisation this is something that adds to the general welfare of the public.

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 Norwegian governmental white papers we find here clearly stated the main 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."

The present Norwegian Social Democratic Government fully supports this.

I would like to underline the important role of the voluntary organisations as critics of governmental policies and of the bureaucracy. From our point of view, 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.

Madam Chair ;

The declaration on voluntary organisations we are invited to adopt on this occasion is largely based on the outcome of the Oslo conference last year It has been refined by the preparatory working group set up for this conference, and been reviewed by the Council of Europe’s competent structures. Every principle set out in this declaration is in full accordance with the principles that all member countries have committed themselves to through their entrance into the Council of Europe.

The declaration is exemplifying basic principles directed towards one specific objective, namely the role of voluntary organisations in the cultural heritage field. We want a document that can serve as a working tool. This is forward looking, since it is clear that the necessary protection of the cultural heritage is a task that takes more resources than most governments can provide. Partnership is a keyword. We need partnership between government and NGO’s and voluntary organisation also on this field. This is not reducing the clear responsibility that the governments have in this field. On the contrary, it is underlining what is especially clearly formulated in the Swedish cultural heritage legislation:

"The care and preservation of our cultural environment is a matter of national concern. Responsibility for this is shared by all."

Thank you for your attention!