Faro Convention

Faro Convention
Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society
Signed	27 October 2005
Location	Faro, Portugal
Effective	1 June 2011
Condition	10 ratifications
Signatories	28
Ratifiers	23
Depositary	Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Languages	English and French

The Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, better known as the Faro Convention, is a multilateral Council of Europe treaty whereby states agree to protect cultural heritage and the rights of citizens to access and participate in that heritage.

Content

The Faro Convention establishes rights and responsibilities to and for cultural heritage, explicitly in the context of Article 27 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights which guarantees the right "freely to participate in the cultural life of the community".^[1]

Article 1 of the convention states that "rights relating to cultural heritage are inherent in the right to participate in cultural life." Article 4 states that "everyone...has the right to benefit from the cultural heritage and to contribute towards its enrichment."^[2]

The convention also focuses on promoting sustainability, access and the use of digital technology in the context of cultural heritage.

Conclusion and entry into force

The Convention was concluded and signed on 27 October 2005 in Faro, Portugal. The most recent signatory was Poland in May 2022. It came into force on 1 June 2011 after being ratified by ten states.