FORTIDSMINNEFORENINGEN Fortidsminneforeningen The Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments Founded 1844 The Monuments

Heritage Care and NGOs in a Changing Society Elisabeth Seip Mechelen, March 2009

Elisabeth Seip

Mechelen, March 2009

Norwegian history, the short Mechelen version 1030: End of Viking age, a Christian country 1130-1350: Stave churches 1349: The Black Death 1380: Danish rule 1537: Reformation – Lutheran church 1814: Grunnloven – the Norwegian Constitution 1814: Union with Sweden 1820: The artistic discovery of Norway 1837: I.C. Dahl publishes stave churches 1900: Students measuring 1905: The union with Sweden dissolved

1030: End of Viking age, a Christian country

1130-1350: Stave churches

1349: The Black Death

1380: Danish rule

1537: Reformation – Lutheran church

1814: Grunnloven – the Norwegian Constitution

1814: Union with Sweden

1820: The artistic discovery of Norway

1837: I.C. Dahl publishes stave churches

1900: Students measuring

1905: The union with Sweden dissolved

1897: The first Law for Cultural Heritage

1912: Riksantikvaren established (The Directorate for Cultural Heriatge)

The 1920-ies: The first listed buildings

NGOs may: Balance government power Contribute in public debate Be innovativ and creative Activate local resources Secure pluralism

NGOs meet: What’s in it for me? Group identity Networks

The current situation: A multitude of activities, less members More local project organisation Less activity connected to national organisations

NGOs must prepare for: Many contributors, great turnover Marketing Stressed co-ordinators

What can be our contribution? NGOs can contribute towards solving public challenges NGOs can be partners – with the authorities NGOs can strengthen social relations

FORTIDSMINNEFORENINGEN Thank you for listening! The Society for the Preservation of Norwegian Ancient Monuments