Cultural heritage is the expression of a way of life developed by a community and transmitted from generation to generation through objects, places, beliefs, traditions and artistic interpretations. It is an integral part of a culture and includes its tangible and intangible elements, from antiquity to the present day. Its preservation is an essential means of strengthening a sense of belonging, connecting to our shared humanity and contributing to the social well-being of all peoples.
The notion of cultural heritage has become increasingly important to people throughout the world as they recognize that the heritage of a nation or region is more than its buildings, artifacts or architectural landscapes; it also consists of intangible heritage values and activities that are rooted in a people’s history, such as its daily practices, memories, and historical narratives. These can be the source of conflict and division or bring people together, depending on how they are used. They can also help us learn from the past to avoid repeating mistakes and appreciate the progress we have made.
UNESCO defines cultural heritage in terms of its historic, scientific, and social value for mankind as a whole. It also reflects the way a country sees itself in the wider world. This concept is inherently political and involves decisions that are based on different, historically changing value systems and philosophies, and that can lead to different categories of heritage and the resulting classifications (World Heritage Site, national heritage, etc.).
This heritage has great economic importance, for example through tourism and local development. It also plays an important role in education, communication and intercultural understanding and provides a way to connect to the past. Moreover, it allows individuals to develop their sense of identity and connect to their ancestors, thus contributing to the preservation of their cultural tradition.
The protection of cultural heritage is a complex task that involves all stakeholders: governments, communities and the private sector. Among the threats to cultural heritage are neglect and decay, lack of funding for maintenance, and the illicit trade in cultural items. Cultural heritage can also be damaged through war and other human-made disasters. The destruction or loss of cultural heritage can have serious consequences for the future, as demonstrated by the case of the cultural districts in Aleppo and Mosul, and the irreplaceable monuments that were damaged.
The Center promotes and supports the repatriation of cultural property to Federally Recognized Tribal Nations and Alaska Native and Hawaiian Organizations, as well as other Americans. For example, the repatriation of a sacred drum to the Ysleta del Sur Tribe from a museum in the Netherlands has strengthened the cultural heritage and community of the Ysleta tribe and enabled them to conduct their ceremonies in their traditional manner, which had not been possible for 140 years. In this way, the Center demonstrates the role of American citizens in the preservation and protection of global cultural heritage.