countries, a mutual understanding of history, present and future, the policy
introduces common cultural heritage as object and instrument at the same time.
As object, it should be preserved and promoted, for which sharing expertise and
capacity building can be necessary. As instrument, common cultural heritage
should be used to strengthen relations, stimulate cultural and economic
development, create public awareness and increase knowledge. The overall aim of
the policy is to 'collaborate on the sustainable maintenance and management of
the common cultural heritage, on the basis of reciprocal political and substantive
involvement'.17 That the cooperation focuses on eight countries is motivated
by limited resources and the wish to spend these as productively as possible.
To validate the selection of the priority countries the policy points at their
'historical ties with the Netherlands, the quantity and diversity of their extant
cultural heritage and the importance that their authorities attach to sustainably
maintaining and developing this heritage.'18
To implement the CCHP the Netherlands government allocated financial means
to three Dutch state services for cultural heritage: the Netherlands Institute
for Heritage (EN), the National Service for Cultural Heritage (RCE) and the
Nationaal Archief.19 They were given the assignment to transfer knowledge,
build capacity, raise and stimulate awareness of common cultural heritage and
to provide substantive support for projects. Heritage institutions in the eight
priority countries are invited to apply for funding of common heritage projects
through the Netherlands embassies in their countries. To be eligible for funding
the project proposal has to meet certain criteria. It should, for instance, reinforce
the cultural identity, include a utilisation plan for the object concerned, and the
contribution of the embassy cannot exceed 60% of the total project budget.
So far, the output of the policy is impressive: in the period January 1, 2009 until
January 1, 2012, 78 projects were funded and monitored by the embassies; the
RCE was involved in 26 activities and the Nationaal Archief in 44.20 It should
be noted though that there is a certain overlap as projects in the countries
sponsored by the embassies are often assisted by the RCE or the Nationaal Archief
and therefore are listed twice. Still, it is clear that the CCHP is stimulating
collaboration on the maintenance and management of common cultural
heritage. Whether this takes place on the desired basis of reciprocal political and
substantive involvement differs from project to project.
Labelling heritage
The question of what kind of heritage this policy is dealing with is answered
as follows: 'By 'common cultural heritage' we mean relics of a past that the
Netherlands has shared with others: buildings and engineering constructions,
archives, underwater wrecks and museum exhibits, and intangible heritage'.21
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JINNA SMIT TO CLAIM OR NOT TO CLAIM - SHARING ARCHIVES: POLICY AND PRACTICE
19 EN, Erfgoed Nederland, is the sector institute for heritage; RCE, Rijksdienst voor Cultureel Erfgoed, deals with
Dutch heritage above and below the ground and under water; the Nationaal Archief is custodian for the
archives of national government and for the archives of certain social organisations and individuals of
national importance. Next to the funds of the ministries, additional funding is supplied by the three heri
tage institutions.
20 Smid and Van Eersel, Rapport over Mid-term review GCE-beleid.
21 Common Cultural Heritage Policy Framework, 1.