How does the history of the Netherlands as a world nation continue to influence Dutch society and our international relations? The language we speak, the food we eat, the buildings that surround us and the stories we pass on bear many traces of a shared history with other countries, among them Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, Suriname, Sri Lanka, the United States and South Africa. The Netherlands is now working with these countries to preserve the significance of these historical links for future generations.
The International Heritage Cooperation Programme (formerly Shared Cultural Heritage Programme) is part of the Netherlands’ international cultural policy. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Archives of the Netherlands, the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, the Dutch Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage, DutchCulture, Dutch embassies and various organisations in the partner countries are collaborating in this programme.
For more information on projects, events and financing, visit International Heritage Cooperation | DutchCulture.
Within the International Heritage Cooperation Programme, the goals of the National Archives are:
- Improving and enlarging the accessibility of archives by the digitisation and online publication of relevant collections from the Netherlands and the partner countries.
- Increasing the visibility and awareness of shared heritage/history to stimulate international and interdisciplinary (historical) research.
- Advising and supporting Dutch and international heritage professionals and organisations in the field of restoration, conservation and the digitisation of archives.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs (BZ), the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation (BHOS) and the Minister of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) describe the foundations, ambitions and objectives for international heritage cooperation in the international cultural policy 2021-2024.
Every 2 months the International Heritage Cooperation Progamme distributes a digital newsletter. The newsletter highlights the activities of the International Heritage Cooperation Programme. If you'd like to receive this newsletter in your inbox, please subscribe here.