DECLARATION OF QUEBEC
11nd International Seminar
ForumUNESCO
University and Heritage
from October 5 to 10 1997
QUEBEC, CANADA

Strongly and unanimously supported by federal, provincial municipal and university authorities in Quebec, Canada, and according to the workshop discussions universities along with national and international heritage authorities with representatives ICOMOS, ICOM, IAU, IAOHE, WHTO, actively participating in the 11nd ForumUNESCO University and Heritage Seminar organized in Quebec by Universite Laval, altogether decide to consolidate ForumUNESCO network created in Valencia, in 1996. This network is composed of universities interested in heritage, and its main objective is to mobilise human and technical resources on the national, regional and international levels towards a convergence for the protection and development of heritage for the benefit of populations.

Participants to the Seminar confirm their determination to implimentthe international ForumUNESCO University and Heritage international network's main principles:

  • an ethic and benevolent involvement in favour of heritage, national as well as worldwide;
  • an efficiency with respect to historical, scientific and technical criteria and demands linked to the heritage;
  • a solidarity based on the sharing of knowledge, practical experience and resources in a context mutual support;

    Consequently, the participants:

  • invite universities involved in heritage in different countries to mobilize their competences and to join ForumUNESCO University and Heritage at the next International Seminar that will be held in Australia in 1998;
  • request that Universite Laval Rector act on the dynamic established at the Quebec International Seminar and set up a UNESCO Chair on heritage in that university;
  • encourage ForumUNESCO President, the Rector of Universidad Polytecnica de Valencia, to reinforce the actions of the Headquarters located in that establishment;
  • ask the UNESCO General Director to pursue the development, coordination and impulse of the ForumUNESCO International network.

    Adopted in Quebec this October 9th in the presence of:

    Mrs Ndeye Fall, UNESCO representative to Canada in Quebec

    The Honourable Gilbert Normand, Secretary of State
    Agriculture and Agri-Food
    Government of Canada     		Mr Paul-Andre Boisclair, representative of the Ministere des Relations internationales
    Gouvernement du Quebec
    Mr Francois Tavenas, Rector of Universite Laval Mr Claude Cantin, Deputy Mayor,
    Ville de Quebec