Institutional reform: a new role for private owners and enterprises and their professional advisers

This theme builds on the issues developed in Themes 1 and 2 concerning the purpose of the law and integrated systems. Any law concerning cultural heritage must be based on democratic principles and the protection of human rights including the participation of citizens in community life; respect for the rights of others and the right to own property. The principle of non-discrimination should apply to the identification and protection of heritage assets, maintenance and restoration action, assistance to all categories of owners (whether public or private individuals, grous or associatons, civil or religious), appropriate training for those working in the heritage sector and awareness-raising. All citizens should have equal rights of access to documentary sources and releant information concerning the heritage and all types of heritage should be equally respected.