The Faro Convention
The Faro Convention and Its Relevance to Underwater Cultural Heritage
The Faro Convention, formally known as the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (2005), promotes a human-centered and rights-based approach to cultural heritage. While it does not specifically mention UCH, many of its principles are highly relevant to the management and protection of submerged heritage. It affirms the right of every individual to engage with cultural heritage, a principle that extends naturally to UCH by recognising the rights of coastal and island communities to access, understand, and protect submerged heritage as part of their collective memory and identity.
Community Involvement and Sustainable Use
The Convention highlights the importance of community participation in identifying, valuing, and managing heritage. This supports the growing emphasis on involving local communities, divers, fishers, and other stakeholders in the stewardship of underwater cultural heritage. It also promotes sustainable use and public access to heritage, which aligns with current practices in underwater archaeology that prioritise in situ protection, non-intrusive exploration, digital documentation, and inclusive educational initiatives
Cooperation and Intangible Dimensions
Another central pillar of the Faro Convention is the encouragement of cooperation between public authorities and civil society. This is especially important for UCH, which often requires interdisciplinary collaboration among archaeologists, state institutions, naval authorities, and heritage organisations. In addition, although the Convention mainly addresses tangible heritage, it acknowledges intangible cultural elements such as traditions, memories, and identity. These aspects are often deeply connected to underwater heritage sites, particularly those associated with ancestral seafaring, maritime customs, and historical conflicts.
ICUCH and the Faro Principles
ICOMOS ICUCH embraces the core principles of the Faro Convention. ICUCH recognises the social value of underwater heritage and the importance of ensuring that communities have the opportunity to engage with their cultural environment. It promotes inclusive and sustainable approaches to heritage governance, in line with the Convention’s emphasis on public access, interdisciplinary cooperation, and the integration of both tangible and intangible values. ICUCH is committed to developing policies and practices that ensure submerged heritage is not only protected but also remains a meaningful and accessible part of community identity and shared human history.