Building bridges between the 1972 and 2003 conventions – searching for an integrated protection of cultural heritage under unesco’s cultural conventions system

The need for an integrated application of the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972) and the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003) illustrates a shift in approach concerning the axiological base of the UNESCO’s Cultural Conventions System. Adopting the 2003 Convention reflected the new ways of thinking about the role of cultural heritage, raising the question of creating an integrated management model of heritage sites that could ensure a holistic approach to heritage conservation. The full engagement of communities in the management processes must entail considering the intangible cultural heritage elements, of which they are bearers. Thus, building integrated management systems would be the result of a redefinition of the scope and significance of the UNESCO Cultural Conventions.