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Who is responsible for the Dutch World Heritage sites?

Responsibility for the World Heritage sites in the Netherlands is shared between:

  • the siteholders;
  • the Netherlands World Heritage Foundation (Stichting Werelderfgoed);
  • the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (natural heritage);
  • the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (cultural heritage);
    • Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE);
    • Heritage and Arts Directorate (E&K);
  • The Netherlands National Commission for UNESCO.

Siteholders

A World Heritage siteholder is responsible for keeping the site in good condition. The siteholder may be a private owner, a non-profit organization, a government agency or any combination of these. They also keep track of changes to the site and, very importantly, ensure that it remains accessible to the public without compromising its heritage value.

World Heritage Foundation

The Netherlands World Heritage Foundation publicizes the Dutch sites. It does this by:

  • producing documentaries and teaching packages for schools;
  • promoting the sites at werelderfgoed.nl;
  • cooperating in their conservation and management; and,
  • encouraging the siteholders to share information.

National government

The Minister of Education, Culture and Science is responsible for the cultural World Heritage sites in the Netherlands. Natural sites come under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. Together, these two ministers determine Dutch World Heritage policy.

World heritage policy is implemented by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands, which:

  • acts as the Dutch national World Heritage coordinator and focal point  for the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris;
  • coordinating the preparation of nomination files and management plans;
  • cooperates with siteholders;
  • provides public information, in conjunction with the Netherlands World Heritage Foundation.

National Commission for UNESCO

The Netherlands National Commission for UNESCO advises the Dutch government on World Heritage policy. The task of this independent commission is to connect UNESCO, the government and siteholders, and to publicize UNESCO in the Netherlands.