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Critical Review
In this review, I will comment on the Faro Convention (2005), the Paris Declaration (2011), the
Florence Declaration (2014), and the Delhi Declaration (2017). Both are the written documents
of the decisions taken as a result of international negotiations, taking into account the different
focuses of cultural heritage protection. While in the Faro Convention, Florence Declaration and
Delhi Declaration focus is more on the social aspect of the cultural heritage conservation by
reflecting a people- based approach of the professionals from different nations, the Paris
Declaration showing the role of heritage in development of the communities, by focusing more
on economical growth.

Faro Convention, Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage
for Society, was adopted by the Council in Europe in 2005. Although it was an article published
seventeen years ago, it still contains important issues that should be taken as a reference point
today. Their aim is to promote a conservation understanding that is putting human values at the
center of the interventions. The access to culture a fundamental right of all people according to it.
To enhance and sustain a sense of belonging, and to link different cultures with each other, we
should understand the importance of the cultural heritage according to the convention. Because
cultural heritage is a powerful factor that both enriches the common culture of the whole world
with its differences and has the potential to bring different cultures together. In this people-
oriented approach, the right of individuals to participate in projects related to the protection of
cultural heritage is also emphasized. In my opinion, giving the right to speak to individuals who
have lived in this culture and even to be a part of that culture in the actions taken for the
conservation of a culture will strengthen the project. It also increases the bond of people living in
the culture of which it is a part with the heritage.

Next, the Paris Declaration, on heritage as a driver of development, which was adopted in 2011
is a publication, explaining the relationship between heritage and development. The Declaration
underlines the potential of cultural heritage in promoting the social and cultural growth, and
sustainable development of societies. In addition, the positive role of cultural heritage
preservation in the development of the region's economy is one of the issues discussed in this
paper. It has been explained that tourism is an important part of this development. When it comes
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to cultural tourism, it is possible to think of examples where interventions resulted in

gentrification. For example, the local people almost disappeared as a result of the interventions in
Cappadocia, and the hotel buildings that took over the region show the controversial aspect of
cultural tourism. But here, a cultural tourism where local people are included and have a say is
underlined. Moreover, the declaration claims that communication between the visitors and the
local people is an important issue which was also stated in the Florence Declaration.

The Florence Declaration, on Heritage and Landscape as Human Values, that was published
after the international occasion of ICOMOS in 2014, emphasizes the significance of landscape
heritage in creating a peaceful and democratic society and asserts that heritage is a human right.
As I mentioned above, one of their claims is that sharing cultural identities and experiencing the
different cultures is an important action. For local people, it is a way to enhance their own
cultural values. As the local community engage in tourism, their ties to their own culture are
increasing and they appreciate these values. Also, for the visitors, this type of experience that the
individuals take more active roles makes their experiences more influential. The other focus,
Landscape is a cultural habitat according to the declaration. As landscapes today confront
unanticipated problems, it is critical to adopt innovative strategies for sustaining the link between
cultural and natural heritage according to the Florence Declaration. And it asserts that these
strategies ought to be created in a manner that upholds human rights, fosters the development of
new and traditional knowledge, and supports local governance.

The Delhi Declaration on Heritage and Democracy, like the other three previously published
examples, promotes a people-based approach to sustainable development. It has similarities with
the Faro Convention in many topics that it includes. In addition, it exhibits a modern approach
with its changing cultural heritage definition. It mentions that the term cultural heritage has now
been recognized in different dimensions, and both its scale and scope have expanded. And
education is important to make the people aware of the cultural heritage according to it.
Moreover, it refers to the crucial role of the governments in the process by saying that
identifying, evaluating, and documenting heritage sites as well as raising public awareness of
their importance is the responsibility of all levels of government. It calls for an inclusive,
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democratic, community engagement processes to make the cultural heritage available for all
people.